The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority oversees Dubai Airport Free Zone, Silicon Oasis and CommerCity, and the construction rules that come with them.
Heron Contracting Dubai confirms which DIEZ zone and landlord apply to your premises, identifies the building permits and NOCs needed, and manages the submission, comments and completion.
DIEZ is the authority behind three major Dubai free zones. Its law gives it the power to license and regulate construction works inside them, so permits there come from DIEZ, not the mainland.
DIEZ approval is the authority permission to build, modify or fit out within one of the integrated economic zones it supervises.
The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) was established under Dubai Law No. 16 of 2021 to supervise Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) and Dubai CommerCity. Among other responsibilities it licenses, regulates and supervises construction works within those zones.
People searching “DIEZ approval”, “DAFZA building permit” or “CommerCity NOC” are usually trying to confirm which zone’s procedures apply and how landlord rules, aviation and utilities fit alongside the authority’s own permits.
Depending on your project, DIEZ approval can include
DIEZ replaced separate zone approvals with one authority, but each zone still has its own landlord rules and building types.
Each zone has a different character and different neighbours. The zone decides the landlord, the NOCs and, near the airport, the extra clearances.
The zone name isn’t the full answer. The plot, the building and the landlord decide which approvals actually apply.
Projects in DIEZ zones typically involve other entities as well:
What a wrong zone assumption costs you
Confirm the zone, plot, building owner and permitted use before design starts. A DAFZ warehouse and a DSO office follow different rules.
The approvals depend on the zone, the building type and the scope of work. These are the categories most often needed.
New developments follow the full permit path, from planning to completion.
Interior works in offices, warehouses and retail units need a permit and landlord consent.
Changing structure, use or floor area goes beyond a fit-out.
Reclassification is common when scope creeps.
Warehouse units need loading, racking, ventilation and fire design beyond office standards.
Adding a mezzanine adds floor area, loading and egress requirements.
Cranes, height and some temporary works near the airport can need aviation clearance.
Check before you book a crane.
External changes usually need authority and landlord approval.
Civil Defence and DEWA review fire, power and water changes alongside the authority.
Permit completion and operating approvals follow the works.
DIEZ brings the three zones’ services together, with online services for licensing, facilities and construction-related requests.
Submitted isn’t approved. An application can be returned on technical grounds even when it is complete.
The authority reviews content, not just completeness. Get the design right first.
Online services let registered users submit applications and follow their status. For construction requests, expect to be able to see:
Most DIEZ projects follow this order. The early checks are what keep the permit stage short.
Identify the DIEZ zone, plot, building and landlord, and check whether the airport affects the site.
Obtain approved drawings, completion records and past modification approvals.
Check the trade licence and permitted use match what will operate.
List demolition, partitions, MEP, fire, mezzanine, façade and signage items.
Use registered consultants and contractors acceptable to the authority and landlord.
Verify dimensions, structure, risers, drainage, fire devices and loading.
Architectural, structural and MEP drawings showing existing and proposed conditions.
Landlord, Civil Defence, DEWA and any aviation-related inputs aligned to the same drawings.
Submit, answer every comment across all drawings, and start work only after approval.
Request inspection, obtain the Civil Defence and completion documents and close the permit.
There’s no universal list. Pick a group to see what a typical DIEZ project may need.
Requirements depend on the service, so we confirm the exact list for your project before you gather anything.
Requirements depend on the service, so we confirm the exact list for your project before you gather anything.
Requirements depend on the service, so we confirm the exact list for your project before you gather anything.
Requirements depend on the service, so we confirm the exact list for your project before you gather anything.
Requirements depend on the service, so we confirm the exact list for your project before you gather anything.
Requirements depend on the service, so we confirm the exact list for your project before you gather anything.
Requirements depend on the service, so we confirm the exact list for your project before you gather anything.
Don’t reuse an old checklist. Always check the current DIEZ-specific requirements. A document list from a previous project shouldn’t be copied across to a new one.
From logistics operators to tech start-ups, each role meets DIEZ approvals in a different way.
Scope and landlord rules decide the route. Check both before pricing.
Maintenance and modification differ. Alterations to regulated systems may need approval.
New and modification works follow the permit route with inspections.
Classify the work, coordinate disciplines and answer comments.
Design within what the unit, use and landlord allow.
Racking, docks, loading and power shape the approvals.
Throughput and equipment loads affect fire, power and structure.
Check landlord fit-out guidelines before design starts.
Issue permits to work after checking whether authority approval also applies.
Check zone, permitted use and building approvals before presenting a unit.
For fit-out contractors and tenants
Answer these before pricing, so approvals, landlord rules and supporting NOCs are in the quotation and not in the variations.
If use, structure or floor area changes, it isn’t a simple fit-out.
Where works go beyond decoration, take extra care with:
A unit can look perfect and still not suit the activity. Use limits, structure and landlord rules are worth checking early.
The right order
Confirm the unit can support the activity, loads and services before you sign.
The costly order
Signing first is how a fulfilment operator learns the floor can’t take the racking.
The fastest strategy usually isn’t rushing the submission. It’s removing uncertainty before you submit.
Procedures from another zone applied.
Scope adds structure, use or area.
Building management hasn’t approved the design.
Approved drawings and completion records can’t be found.
Design doesn’t match the unit.
Ceiling and alarm layouts conflict.
Structure and egress not assessed.
DEWA capacity not checked.
Crane or height clearance not sought early.
Façade or branding goes ahead early.
One revision creates three new inconsistencies.
Most delays aren’t one dramatic mistake. They’re small coordination problems that stack up.
A clean first submission is usually worth more than submitting a few days earlier with unresolved issues.
Three questions to settle before you plan the programme.
There’s no single answer. Authority review is only part of the programme. Landlord NOCs, supporting approvals, comments and inspections all add time. It depends on:
There’s no flat DIEZ price. Cost combines authority fees with design, landlord requirements and construction, so scope first and price each part. Typical components:
Can you start work before DIEZ Approval?
A submitted application is not permission to construct.
Pre-submission checklist
Tick each item as you confirm it. It’s a quick way to spot what’s still open before you spend time on a submission.
Always verify the latest requirements. Forms, portals and requirements change over time. For current applications, confirm them directly with Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority and the other authorities involved.
DIEZ approval shapes the design. Before you commit, answer these five questions.
Once these are answered, the DIEZ route becomes far more predictable: fewer redesigns for contractors, fewer surprises for tenants and a clean approval record for owners.
Straight answers on DIEZ Approval, from who applies to what happens at completion.
DIEZ approval is the permit or NOC required for construction or fit-out works inside the free zones supervised by the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority.
DIEZ supervises Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity.
Yes. Its establishing law gives it powers to license, regulate and supervise construction works within its zones.
Usually yes, depending on scope and landlord rules. Changes to layout, services, fire systems or structure can trigger review.
Warehouse units often involve loading, racking, ventilation, electrical and fire requirements beyond office work.
A mezzanine adds floor area and loading, so it typically needs structural design, fire and egress review and authority approval.
Near the airport, cranes and tall temporary works can need aviation-related clearance. Check before mobilisation.
No. A landlord NOC is private approval. Authority permits and supporting approvals are separate.
If fire alarm, sprinklers, exits or kitchen systems change, Civil Defence review is likely required.
Where load or distribution changes, DEWA design approval and inspection normally apply.
No. A licence permits business activity. Construction and fit-out need permits and NOCs of their own.
Where a permit applies, starting early risks stop-work, rework and completion problems. Wait for approval.
Can’t find your answer? Ask a consultant and we’ll confirm the route for your project.
Send us the location, business activity and scope of work. We’ll confirm how DIEZ applies, the route and the NOCs before anything is submitted.