What is the shared accommodation permit in Dubai?
The shared accommodation permit is the Dubai Municipality permit to operate a property as shared housing, required under the new DM rules.
The short answer
Under the new rules (Dubai Municipality circular, reported by Khaleej Times on 8 October 2026), a property used as shared housing needs a permit to operate as shared accommodation. The permit is for a property in an allowed area, set up as either individual or family housing, with bedrooms of at least 5 m² per person and the required kitchen, bathroom, dining, recreation and laundry facilities. Civil Defence (DCD) approval is also required. Owners apply, or tenants with the owner NOC. Structural Solutions prepares the drawings and handles the application.
Official sources: Dubai Municipality · Dubai Civil Defence · Khaleej Times report on the DM circular
Shared accommodation permit: what you need to know
- Allowed area: The property must be in an area on the DM list.
- Layout drawings: Show rooms, occupancy and facilities.
- DCD: Fire and life safety approval is required.
- Existing properties: Must regularise by 8 September 2027.
What to send us
- Title deed (owner), or tenancy contract with owner NOC (tenant)
- Emirates ID or passport
- Affection plan or site plan
- Existing drawings, if available; we can survey
- Photos of the rooms and facilities
- Trade licence, if a company owns or operates the property
Who does what
From check to permit
The order of the DCD and DM steps can vary; we confirm it for your property.
| Step | Approval route | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| Check the area and category You and us | Confirm the property is in an allowed area, and choose individual or family housing. | Allowed areas |
| Owner NOC (tenants) Owner | A tenant applies with a NOC from the owner. The owner NOC is enough; no other NOC is needed. | Tenants |
| Survey and layout drawings Structural Solutions | Rooms of at least 5 m² per person, plus kitchen, bathroom, dining, recreation and laundry. | Layout drawings |
| Structural check Structural Solutions | Partitions and any added loads are checked by our engineers. | — |
| Civil Defence (DCD) Structural Solutions → DCD | Fire and life safety approval for the shared accommodation. | DCD approval |
| Shared accommodation permit Structural Solutions → Dubai Municipality | The permit to operate the property as shared accommodation. | The permit |
How it works
How it works
1. Check
Area, category and occupancy for your property.
2. Drawings
Survey and layout drawings to the DM rules.
3. Approvals
DCD approval and the DM shared accommodation permit.
4. Operate
Rent the property as permitted shared accommodation.
Questions
More questions about shared accommodation permit
Who issues the permit?
Dubai Municipality.
Can a tenant apply?
Yes, with a NOC from the owner.
Do I need drawings?
Yes, layout drawings showing rooms, occupancy and facilities.
What if I operate without a permit?
Fines from AED 500 to AED 500,000 under the circular.
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