RTA NOC in Dubai: How the eNOC System Works

When do you need an RTA NOC?

• Digging, trenching or trial pits in a road, pavement or service corridor
• Laying or connecting electricity cables, water pipes or telecom ducts across or along a road
• House or building service connections that run through the Right of Way
• Road works, access roads, kerbs or parking changes next to your plot
• Works near the Metro or Tram, or near DUSUP and other hydrocarbon pipelines
• Using RTA spare ducts, relocating street lighting or removing trees in the ROW

When you do not use eNOC

Building projects under Dubai Municipality, such as shoring, external paving or a temporary site fence, go through the Dubai Building Permit System (DBPS) instead of eNOC. Works inside DEWA's own reservations or premises go through the DEWA portal.

Types of NOC in the eNOC system

• Informational service (to find out which services and authorities are in the area)
• Design NOCs: concept, preliminary, pre-final and final design, and modification of part of the ROW
• Trial trenches NOC and construction NOC
• Rail NOCs for works near the Metro or Tram, such as cranes, boreholes, scaffolding or temporary structures
• Other NOCs, for example RTA spare ducts, street lighting power supply, tree removal, relocations and DUSUP
• Final clearance once the works are complete

Step-by-step: applying through eNOC

1. Register your companyThe company registers on the RTA portal with its documents. RTA issues an Admin User, who then creates Business Users for the staff who submit applications.
2. Choose the NOC and project typeSelect the NOC type (for example design, trial trenches or construction) and the project type, such as building, road maintenance or DEWA networks.
3. Upload drawings and documentsAttach the drawings and supporting documents digitally. Any file type is accepted, including PDF, DWG and DGN, up to 100 MB per file. Check the document list for your NOC type before you submit, because a submitted application cannot be edited.
4. Send any hard copies on timeIf an authority asks for manual documents, they must reach its mail room or customer service centre within 10 calendar days, otherwise the application is cancelled.
5. Answer commentsEach affected authority reviews the application. Comments must be answered within 10 working days; small drawing changes can be sent as a reply, subject to the reviewer's approval.
6. Download the NOCWhen every authority has approved, the final NOC can be downloaded from the system. Keep it on site during the works.
7. Revalidate or close outIf the works will run past the expiry date, apply for revalidation in eNOC 6 weeks before it expires. Apply for final clearance when the works are finished.

How to check your RTA eNOC status

1. Log in at noc.rta.aeGo to the official RTA eNOC portal and log in with your company's user account.
2. Open your applications listGo to the list of applications submitted by your company and find the one you want to check.
3. Open the applicationThe application shows its current status, any comments to be answered and which authorities have already approved it.

Documents typically prepared (eNOC lists the exact set for each NOC type)

• Company trade licence and the eNOC user account of the consultant or contractor
• Site location or affection plan showing the plot and the work area
• Layout drawings of the proposed works in the Right of Way, with dimensions and existing services
• Cross sections and trench details for excavation works
• Traffic management or diversion plan where the works affect traffic
• Any NOCs or approvals already issued for the project (for example DEWA or DM)

Key RTA eNOC timelines

RTA does not publish one fixed processing time for every NOC, because each application is reviewed by all affected authorities. These are the deadlines published in the eNOC FAQs, plus DEWA's own service times for its part of an infrastructure NOC.

Source: RTA eNOC FAQs and DEWA, Infrastructure Projects NOC.

How much does an RTA NOC cost?

Most NOC types in the eNOC system are free. RTA charges for Rail Agency NOCs and for using RTA spare ducts, which are paid through the system. Where construction supervision fees apply, they can be paid online by card or bank transfer, or at an RTA Customer Happiness Centre using the sales order number. DEWA does not charge for its infrastructure NOC. Your consultant's or contractor's fee for drawings and submission is separate. As a DEWA approved contractor in Dubai, we prepare and submit RTA NOC applications for works such as cable laying and utility connections.

Frequently asked questions