In TECOM districts, the landlord’s NOC and the Dubai Development Authority’s permit are two separate approvals, and you need both.
Heron Contracting Dubai prepares TECOM fit-out and modification requests, aligns them with DDA permit requirements and Civil Defence, and manages comments, permits to work and completion.
TECOM Group is the landlord and master developer behind many of Dubai’s business districts. Its NOC is private consent for works in its buildings. The regulator’s permit comes separately.
A TECOM NOC is the landlord’s consent to your design, your contractor and your works programme. It isn’t a government permit.
TECOM Group develops and manages business districts across Dubai, including districts such as Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Design District and Dubai Industrial City. As landlord it sets fit-out guidelines and approves tenant works.
People searching “TECOM NOC”, “TECOM fit-out approval” or “TECOM landlord NOC” are usually trying to understand what the landlord reviews, what the Dubai Development Authority reviews separately, and how to sequence both.
Depending on your project, a TECOM NOC can cover
TECOM approval is the landlord’s. The Dubai Development Authority permit, where required, is separate.
In a TECOM district, several parties approve different things. Knowing who decides what is the fastest route to a clean submission.
A landlord NOC lets you in the building. The regulator’s permit lets you build. Plan for both.
Typical supporting parties on a TECOM district project include:
What the wrong order costs you
Read the landlord’s fit-out guidelines before design. They often set requirements stricter than the regulator’s, from materials to working hours.
The NOC depends on the building, the scope and the stage of the lease. These are the categories that come up most often.
The landlord reviews your fit-out design against its guidelines before you apply for permits.
Get this before applying to the regulator.
Contractors usually need to be accepted by the landlord before mobilising.
Changing an existing fit-out or the building’s own elements needs additional consent.
HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire changes affect building systems shared with others.
Shared systems mean the landlord has the final say.
Cores and openings can touch post-tensioned slabs and shared structure.
Signs on façades, lobbies and entrances follow the landlord’s branding rules.
Day-to-day permits control site access, hot works, lifts and out-of-hours work.
Changing the activity can affect occupancy, ventilation and parking, so the landlord will want to review it.
Closing out works and returning space at lease end both need sign-off.
Landlord requests go through TECOM’s property and building teams, while regulatory permits are requested through DDA’s services.
Requested isn’t approved. A submission can be returned on technical or guideline grounds even when it’s complete.
Treat the landlord and the regulator as two reviewers with two checklists.
Between the landlord’s process and the regulator’s online services, expect to follow:
Most TECOM projects follow this order. Starting with the landlord’s guidelines keeps the later steps short.
Identify the district, building, unit, lease terms and any fit-out obligations.
Request the landlord’s guidelines and contractor requirements before the design starts.
Check the licence and permitted use match what will operate.
List demolition, partitions, MEP, fire, signage and any structural items.
Use consultants and contractors acceptable to both the landlord and the regulator.
Verify dimensions, structure, risers, ceiling void and fire devices.
Submit drawings and scope for review, respond to comments and obtain the NOC.
Apply to DDA where required, with Civil Defence and other supporting inputs.
Follow site rules, working hours, inspections and safety requirements.
Obtain completion approvals and landlord sign-off, and keep records for lease end.
There’s no universal list. Pick a group to see what a typical TECOM NOC request 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 TECOM-specific requirements. A document list from a previous project shouldn’t be copied across to a new one.
From tenants to contractors, each role meets TECOM approvals in a different way.
Be accepted by the landlord first, then follow its site rules throughout.
Work on shared systems needs landlord consent, not just a service request.
Structural and façade works carry extra landlord and regulator review.
Align landlord guidelines and regulatory requirements in one design.
Read the guidelines first. They can restrict finishes, ceilings and signage.
Expect landlord design review before any permit application.
Acoustic, power and loading needs often trigger extra approvals.
Extraction, grease and signage rules are strict.
Issue permits to work only once NOCs are in place.
Check lease obligations and fit-out limits before presenting a unit.
For fit-out contractors and tenants
Answer these before pricing, so landlord rules, regulator permits and supporting NOCs are in the quotation and not in the variations.
If the landlord’s guidelines change the design, the price changes too.
Where works touch shared systems or structure, take extra care with:
A unit may look perfect and still carry fit-out obligations that change cost and time. Guidelines, deposits and reinstatement terms are worth checking early.
The right order
Confirm the lease terms, guidelines and building capacity support your plan before committing.
The costly order
Signing first is how a tenant learns the ceiling, signage or contractor rules don’t match their plan.
The fastest strategy usually isn’t rushing the submission. It’s removing uncertainty before you submit.
Design conflicts with landlord rules.
Contractor approval not completed.
Regulator permit applied for before the NOC.
Approved drawings can’t be found.
HVAC or fire changes affect other tenants.
Design doesn’t match the unit.
Cores near tendons or columns.
Branding goes ahead early.
Site access forms incomplete.
Lease-end obligations overlooked.
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. Landlord design review, regulator permits, supporting approvals and inspections all add time. It depends on:
There’s no flat TECOM price. Cost combines landlord fees and deposits with permits, design and construction, so scope first and price each part. Typical components:
Can you start work before TECOM NOC?
A request that’s still in progress is not permission to start.
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 TECOM Group and the other authorities involved.
The TECOM route shapes the design. Before you commit, answer these five questions.
Once these are answered, the TECOM route becomes far more predictable: fewer redesigns for contractors, fewer surprises for tenants and a clean approval record for owners.
Straight answers on TECOM NOC, from who applies to what happens at completion.
A TECOM NOC is the landlord’s consent for a tenant’s fit-out or modification works in a building it manages.
No. The NOC is landlord approval, while the Dubai Development Authority issues regulatory permits in TECOM districts.
Typically the landlord’s design NOC comes first, then the regulator’s permit. Confirm the sequence for your building.
Landlords generally provide tenant fit-out guidelines. Request them before design and follow them throughout.
Usually yes. Landlords typically require contractors to be accepted before mobilising.
Changes to shared building systems normally need landlord approval, plus Civil Defence or other review where relevant.
Coring needs scanning and engineering sign-off, and may require regulator involvement depending on scope.
Signage and branding usually need landlord approval before installation.
It’s the landlord’s day-to-day control over site access, hot works, lifts and out-of-hours work.
Leases often require reinstatement or handover to a defined condition, so check obligations early.
No. A licence permits business activity. Fit-out needs landlord and regulatory approvals of its own.
Starting before the landlord’s NOC risks stop-work, rework and deposit claims. 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 TECOM applies, the route and the NOCs before anything is submitted.