All About Request to Approve or Change Project`s Master Plan in Dubai
The development of property projects in Dubai requires multiple approvals and permits to ensure legal compliance. Amidst these permits, obtaining a project’s master plan tops the list, especially for large-scale developments. The master plan is a blueprint of the project featuring all the necessary information regarding the project. Whether you are constructing a high-rise building or planning to renovate the existing one, getting master plan approval is necessary.
Here is how to submit a request to approve or change a project’s master plan.
Project Master Plan Approval Service Procedures & Steps
Submitting a request to approve or change a project’s master plan is a legal step necessary to construct or modify the buildings. The steps to apply for the service are different for preliminary master plan approval and final master plan approval.

Following are the steps necessary to request to approve or change the project’s master plan.
Process for Preliminary Approval
Here are all the steps to apply for the request to approve or change the preliminary master plan.
- Log in to Dubai Municipality’s website
- Search ‘Request to Approve or Change Project’s Master Plan’
- Duly fill out the form and attach all the required documents
- Apply for the service
- Wait for a reply (accepted or rejected). If accepted, receive the payment voucher
- Pay the required fees
- Check the reply (accepted or to be amended or completed). In case of amendment, submit the documents or drawings
- Receive the SoS for the project’s master plan
Process for Final Approval
In case of a final approval, follow the process mentioned below.
- Log in to Dubai Municipality’s website
- Apply for final approval
- Pay the remaining fee (applicable on the fee exceeding AED 50,000)
- Receive the final approval of the master plan
Documents Required to Request Master Plan Approval or Changes
Following are the sets of documents required to request the project’s master plan approval or change.
Major Urban and Development Project
For the approval of master plans of major urban and development projects, the required documents are as follows.
- An official letter from the authorised consultant or the project owner
- Digital drawing on MicroStation 7 DLTM-2D
- PDF file of technical report
To learn more about the urban development in Dubai, read through our blog on Urban Master Plan 2040 Dubai.
Resubmission of the Application
For submitting the application, the following documents will be required.
- Digital drawing on MicroStation 7 DLTM-2D featuring all the changes suggested in the comments
- Regulations tables on MicroStation 7 DLTM-2D featuring all the changes suggested in the comments
- Modified technical report
Fee to Request Project’s Master Plan Approval or Changes
The fee to request a project’s master plan approval or changes is mentioned below.
- 3 Fils/sqm for the approved floor area with a minimum fee of AED 50,000/project
- AED 20 for Knowledge and Innovation fee
- 5% VAT
The payment channels to pay the fee are as follows.
- Dubai Municipality Application
- Dubai Now Application
- Dubai Smart Government Portal
- Al Ansari Exchange

Terms and Conditions to Request Approval or Change in Project’s Master Plan
The request to approve or change the project’s master plan obligates applicants to cater to the following terms and conditions.
- Affection plans can be obtained through the gateway of the Survey Department. Whereas, a copy of the master plan can be obtained from the Urban Planning and QOL Department.
- Modification requests for major urban projects are offered as per the planning assessment or request modifications.
- The application number can be obtained from Dubai Municipality’s website.
- According to the requested change, a few NOCs might need to be renewed.
- The Unified System can be used to request all the NOCs at once, required for approval.
- As per the Dubai Municipality’s assessment and the project’s nature, the project can be approved in different phases.
FAQs
Can I pay through a credit card when submitting a request to approve or change a project’s master plan?
Yes, applicants can pay through their credit cards when requesting for project’s master plan approval or changes.
Where can I submit an application to request approval or change in the project’s master plan?
Dubai Municipality’s website is an official platform to apply for the master plan change request.
What is the service time when requesting approval or changes in the project’s master plan?
The service time is 10 days for the preliminary approval and 3 days for the final approval.
This was all about how you can request to approve or change a project’s master plan in Dubai. The approval change master plan is necessary to be catered prior to bringing any changes in the building. The approval allows builders to modify the building as per the latest standards. That said, a well-maintained building with all the modern amenities, offers higher returns on investment. If you are also interested in availing these returns, browse through these properties for sale in Dubai and invest in real estate.
If you are new to the market, read through the investment trends in the Dubai market to have an overview.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog for more information on the legalities involved in a project’s development.