Staff shared accommodation approval in Dubai
Staff shared accommodation approval is for companies that house employees in Dubai apartments, villas or buildings: we check eligibility, set occupancy and obtain DCD approval and the DM permit.
What we do
Companies housing staff in residential apartments, villas or buildings follow the shared housing rules: the property must be in one of the 39 areas, set as individual housing, with at least 5 m² per person and the required facilities. The company applies with its trade licence plus the title deed, or the tenancy contract with the owner NOC. We handle the survey, drawings, DCD approval and the DM permit. Dedicated labour accommodation follows separate rules, which we confirm case by case.
Official sources: Dubai Municipality · Dubai Civil Defence · Khaleej Times report on the DM circular
Staff shared accommodation approval: what is included
- Eligibility: each property checked against the 39 areas and main-road rule
- Occupancy: legal headcount per room and per unit
- Facilities: kitchen, bathroom, dining, recreation and laundry
- Fire safety: DCD drawings for each property
- Permits: DCD approval and the DM permit per property
- Portfolio: several flats or villas handled as one project
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
Questions about staff shared accommodation approval
Can a company house staff in a villa or apartment?
Yes, as individual shared housing in one of the 39 allowed areas, with DCD approval and the DM permit.
What documents does the company need?
Trade licence, plus the title deed or the tenancy contract with the owner NOC, and the affection plan.
Can staff housing be on Sheikh Zayed Road?
No. Properties on Bani Yas, Sheikh Zayed, Jumeirah and Al Wasl roads are family housing only.
Is this the same as a labour camp permit?
No. Dedicated labour accommodation follows separate rules; we confirm which applies to your property.
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