Property maps in Dubai: land map, unified map and unit map

The Dubai Land Department issues official electronic maps for registered properties. A land map (often called a site plan or affection plan) shows a plot's number, area and boundaries. For land outside Dubai Municipality's jurisdiction the DLD land map costs AED 100; for land inside it, the map is the unified map shared with Dubai Municipality, AED 225, issued within 24 hours under the Municipality's terms. Apartments and villas have their own unit or villa map at AED 250 each, and a building's common areas map costs AED 3,000. Each drawing also carries a knowledge fee of AED 10 and an innovation fee of AED 10, and trustee centres add their service-partner fee. Normally the owner applies; if someone else applies, a letter from the owner (or from the company for its representative) is needed. Maps are needed for building permits, valuations, sales, separation or annexation of plots, and some bank or court files. A valuation request needs a municipality map issued within the last year, so an old map often has to be renewed. Maps reflect the record on the day of issue: after a separation, annexation or area correction, new maps are issued with the new title deeds. Owners can also download maps in the Dubai REST app. Planning approvals for building or changing a plot belong to Dubai Municipality or the master developer, not DLD.