Communities · Dubailand · Master developer: DAMAC Properties

Renovation approvals in DAMAC Hills

Villas, townhouses and golf-side apartments in DAMAC Hills need DAMAC's no-objection before most alterations, and a building permit when structure, services or built-up area change. We prepare the drawings, raise the DAMAC request and coordinate the permit.

DAMAC Hills is built around the Trump International Golf Club Dubai, and DAMAC Properties describes it as a gated community of more than 42 million sq ft with 3,386 villas and townhouses and 7,128 apartments. Unlike the Emaar communities nearby, the developer approval here comes from DAMAC, through its own owner channels.

DAMAC Hills at a glance

Master developerDAMAC Properties
Developer approvalDAMAC NOC for fit-out and alterations, raised as a service request on the DAMAC Living app or through DAMAC's customer channels
Building-permit authorityNot confirmed from an official source. Consultancy sources mostly name the Dubai Development Authority for DAMAC Hills, while others refer to Dubai Municipality. We confirm the authority for each plot from its records before submission.
Property typesVillas, townhouses and apartment buildings, many facing the golf course or parkland
Typical projectsPools, pergolas and garden works, ground-floor extensions, internal layout changes, apartment renovations

DAMAC Hills or DAMAC Hills 2?

DAMAC Hills (sometimes called DAMAC Hills 1) and DAMAC Hills 2 are separate communities in different parts of Dubailand. They have different house types, different community teams and possibly different permit authorities. Check which community your title deed names before you collect advice or quotes. A process described for one may not apply to the other.

Villa and townhouse works

DAMAC Hills homes range from compact townhouse clusters to large detached villas on the golf course. The projects we are asked about most:

  • Private pools. Pool position, depth, setbacks from the boundary and the house, and backwash drainage all need to be shown. Golf-facing plots have extra attention on the rear boundary. Our swimming pool design and approval service covers the engineering and submissions.
  • Pergolas, shades and outdoor kitchens. Size, height, colour and fixing details are reviewed. Structures attached to the house need structural input.
  • Landscape and hardscape. Paving, planters, artificial turf and irrigation changes. See our landscaping approval service.
  • Extensions and layout changes. Added built-up area, removed walls or moved wet areas need structural and MEP drawings and a building permit, not just the developer NOC.

The documents and steps that apply to most villa works are on our villa renovation, extension and modification page.

Apartments in DAMAC Hills

Apartment owners usually want new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and joinery. The building's management and owners' association rules come first. Under Law No. 6 of 2019 on jointly owned property, substantial changes to structure or external appearance also need master developer, Dubai Land Department and competent authority approval. Internal works that don't touch structure, façades, shared services or common areas follow the building's own process. Our guide to the apartment renovation NOC sets out the usual steps.

Local points to plan for

Golf course boundaries

Homes backing onto the course have rear gardens that golfers and neighbours see. Fences, walls, nets and planting on these edges are commonly checked closely.

Service charges and account status

Developers commonly check that the owner's account is in order before processing a request. Clear any balance before applying.

Several parties to coordinate

A pool or extension can involve DAMAC, the permit authority, DEWA and the community team. Our NOC coordination service keeps them in step.

Contractor rules on site

Gate passes, working hours, debris removal and deposits are set by the community. They affect the contractor's price and programme.

We don't quote DAMAC fees or deposits on this page, because they depend on the scope and are not published officially. We confirm current charges when we prepare your request.

How we help DAMAC Hills owners

Most delays in DAMAC Hills come from three things: a request that doesn't show enough detail, works that need a permit being treated as NOC-only, and confusion between the two DAMAC Hills communities. We deal with all three at the start.

  • Checking your title deed, community and plot records, and confirming the permit authority
  • Drawings for pools, pergolas, extensions and internal changes, with structural and MEP detail where needed
  • Preparing and following up the DAMAC NOC request
  • Coordinating the building permit through a registered consultant where the works require one
  • Inspections and completion, and an as-built record of the approved works for when you sell

DAMAC and the authorities make every approval decision. Before you instruct a contractor, our article on common mistakes when applying for building permits is worth a read.

DAMAC Hills approval FAQs

DAMAC's owner app, DAMAC Living, lets owners raise service requests, including an NOC for fit-out or alterations. The request needs drawings and details of the works. We prepare these and follow the request up.

No. The NOC is the developer's no-objection. A pool also needs engineering design and a permit from the authority responsible for the plot, which we confirm before submission.

Most consultancy sources name the Dubai Development Authority, but we have not found an official confirmation, and DAMAC Hills 2 may differ. We check your plot's records and confirm before any submission.

Usually yes, with building management approval and within the building's rules. If walls, drainage or electrical routes change, further approvals may be needed.

Own a home in DAMAC Hills?

Tell us your cluster or building and what you plan to change.

Tell us about your project

Share a few details and we will tell you which approvals apply, what documents you need and how we can help. There is no obligation.

  • A practical answer on which authority and NOCs apply
  • A clear list of the documents and drawings to prepare
  • A written scope and quotation for our consultancy work
This form sends your enquiry to Dubai Authority Approvals by email. It does not submit an application to an authority. Please avoid identity documents in the initial enquiry; drawings can be shared once we reply.