Construction/Building Plans Approvals in Kajiado County:  A Step-by-Step Guide

About Kajiado County

Kajiado County is one of the 47 counties in Kenya. The county is located in the Rift Valley Province and is divided into six sub-counties namely; Emurtu, Kajiado East, Kajiado North, Kajiado South, Kajiado West, and Loitoktok. The county has a population of 962,463 according to the 2017 Kenya Population and Housing Census.

The county government is the administrative body of the county. The county government is headed by the governor who is assisted by the deputy governor and the county cabinet. The county government is responsible for providing services such as health, education, water, and sanitation to the citizens of the county.

The county government also oversees the development of the county. This includes the development of infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, and water facilities. The county government also oversees the approval of building projects in the county.

The county government has developed policies and procedures for the approval of building projects. These policies and procedures are contained in the County Development Plans and the Kajiado County Building Regulations (2015).

The policies and procedures are aimed at ensuring that all building projects in the county are approved in a timely and efficient manner.

The county government has a team of engineers who are responsible for reviewing building proposals and issuing approvals. The team is also responsible for ensuring that all building projects meet the standards specified in the County Development Plans and the Kajiado County Building Regulations (2015).

Since the devolved system of government started being operational, any building in construction requires to be approved by the relevant county authorities under whose jurisdiction they fall. Kajiado county council jurisdiction covers areas such as Ngong, Kitengela, Ongata Rongai, Matasia, Kerarapon, Kiserian, Isinya and Kajiado town

Steps in Building Plans Approvals in Kajiado County

Getting building plans approved in Kajiado County, Kenya, is an important step in the construction process.

By following the steps outlined below, you can ensure that your building plans are approved quickly and efficiently.

1. Conduct a site visit: Before you apply for building plan approvals, it’s important to conduct a site visit to assess the suitability of the site for construction. During the site visit, you should take note of plot actual measurements, access roads, any potential issues, such as access to utilities and the presence of any environmental or cultural features that may impact the construction process.
2. Have Your Project Design:  The next phase involves getting a registered architect/structural engineer do the actual drawings based on the plot size and your custom needs. Once done, at least 6 copies of blueprints certified by the architect and structural engineer ready for submission at the county offices. Note that you will need documents like copy of practicing certificate of the architect/engineer, dully filled indemnity form, land search (less than 3 months) and copies of ownership documents
3. Submit an application: The next step is to submit an application for building plan approvals. This application should include all relevant information about the construction project, such as the location of the site, the type of structure you plan to build, and the purpose of the construction.  Documents include: Ownership Documents (A copy of the Title Deed and the current official search from the lands office), At least five sets of building plans for the Architectural Drawings and the Structural Engineers Drawings (Names on the blueprints should tally with those on the ownership documents), Copies of the Architect and the Structural Engineer’s valid practicing Licenses., Land rates clearance.
4. Pay the relevant fees: Once your application has been submitted, you will need to pay the relevant fees. The amount of the fee will depend on the type and size of the construction project.
5. Review of the application: The Kajiado County government will review your application and determine whether it complies with local regulations and standards. If there are any issues with the application, the county may request additional information or clarification.
6. Site inspection: Once the application has been reviewed and approved, the county will conduct a site inspection to ensure that the site is suitable for construction. During the site inspection, the county will assess the location, accessibility, and environmental impact of the proposed construction project.
7. Approval or denial: Based on the outcome of the site inspection, the county will either approve or deny the construction project. If the project is approved, the county will issue the necessary building plan approvals and permits.
8. Commence construction: Once you have received the necessary approvals and permits, you can commence construction on the site.

Minimum Requirements To Apply For A Construction Permit?

Some of the documents that would be required when submitting a new application include

1. Ownership documents
2. Council Rate Receipt
3. Survey Plan/RIM/Beacon Certificate
4. New plans or Copies of Approved Plans
5. Original Land Search

Who Are The Reviewers Involved To In The Construction Permit System?

The reviewers involved in the construction permit system include: –

• Development Control
• Forward Planning
• Fire Protection
• Roads
• Housing Development
• Structural
• Public Health (MOH)
• Monitoring & Enforcement

Some of the external reviewers include but not limited to the following:-

• Kajiado Water and Sewerage Company
• NEMA
• NCA

Kajiado County Building Approvals Fees

The building permit fee is based on the size of the building in terms of square footage.in Most cases,building plan approval fee is approximately 1% of the estimated cost of construction.

For example, 3 bedroom bungalow with estimated cost of  KES. 3.5M will cost about Ksh. 35,000 in county approval fees.  And can be distributed as follows (Example):

1. Construction sign board fee: Ksh. 5,000
2. Application fee: Ksh. 5,000
3. Inspection of building file: Ksh. 5,000
4. Occupation certificate: Ksh. 5,000
5. Building plan approval fee: Ksh. 10,000

Requirements for Change of User/ Extension of User

• Authentic Ownership documents (A copy of the Title Deed and the current official search from the lands office)
• At least five planning briefs (should have Newspaper Advertisement Notice, Site Notice and Location Plan)
• Physical Planner’s valid Practicing Certificate
• Land Rates Clearance

For commercial projects, NCA registration is required.

Project Registration with the National Construction Authority of Kenya(NCA)

Project registration with the National Construction Authority (NCA) is a requirement for all contractors undertaking construction projects in Kenya.

The process of registering a project with the NCA is relatively straightforward and involves few steps.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register a project with the NCA in Kenya:

 Register with the NCA

Once you have obtained an approved drawing from the county, you can proceed to register your project with the NCA.

To do this, you will need to submit an application form online and provide relevant documents, such as the project drawings, bill of quantities, and a site plan.

Local developers/owners registering a project must ensure that their contractors and sub-contractors are registered by NCA and have a valid practicing license for the current financial year.

The contractor classification/grades set by NCA regulations allow contractors to register in one or more categories according to their experience and qualifications. Once all requirements are met, a Certificate of Registration is issued on registration as a contractor in Kenya.

Developers can register their projects through the NCA project registration portal or visit the nearest NCA regional or liaison office for assistance.

It should also be noted that project registration is currently free of charge.

NCA Project Registration Requirements

The following are the requirements:

• The contractor and sub-contractor must be registered by NCA and must have a valid practicing license for the current financial year.
• The project consultants (for example the engineer (s), architect, and quantity surveyor) must be duly registered with their respective professional regulatory bodies, such as the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS). They must have valid practicing licenses
• Approved architectural and structural drawings.
• Physical planning forms (county approval permits/ letters/PPA2)
• Other statutory and regulatory approvals such as NEMA, EPRA, WRA and KCAA licenses where applicable.
• Bill of quantities summary page duly signed and stamped by the quantity surveyor.
• Copy of developer’s Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN.
• Signed contract/tender form or signed agreement by developer with the contractor.
• Supervision Commitment Letters by consultants and/or agreements/contract by developer with consultants.

How National Construction Authority (NCA) Project Registration Is Done Online Portal

To register a project with the National Construction Authority (NCA) in Kenya, developer can follow these steps:

1. Visit the NCA website at https://nca.go.ke/ and download the Project Registration Form.
2. Fill out the form with the relevant information about your project, including the type of project, location, estimated cost, and project duration.
3. Attach the necessary documents, including architectural and engineering drawings, environmental impact assessment reports, and other relevant certificates and approvals.
4. Pay the prescribed fees (if any) for project registration through the provided payment channels, such as M-PESA, bank deposits, or online payment systems. Note that project registration is currently (2023) free of charge.
5. Submit the completed registration form and supporting documents online or  to the nearest NCA regional office.

After submitting your application, NCA officials will review your project and either approve or reject it based on their evaluation of its compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

If your project is approved, you will be issued with a NCA registration certificate, which you will need to present to other relevant authorities to obtain necessary permits and approvals for construction.

In short, after submitting your application, the NCA will review your documents and conduct an inspection of the project site.

If your application is approved, you will receive a letter of approval, which will allow you to proceed with the construction project.

Display Your NCA Project Registration Number

Once your project is registered with the NCA, you will need to display your project registration number at the project site.

This certificate number serves as proof that the project is registered with the NCA and that the contractor is authorized to undertake the construction work.

It is important to ensure that your project is registered with the NCA before starting construction work, as failure to do so can result in fines and other legal consequences.

Tips to Getting the Building Plans Approval Process Done Faster

Tips for Streamlining the Building Plans Approval Process in Kajiado County, Kenya:

1. Be prepared: Ensure that you have all the necessary documents and information ready before you apply for building plan approvals. This will help you avoid delays and speed up the approval process.
2. Familiarize yourself with local regulations: Knowing the local regulations and standards can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your building plans are approved quickly.
3. Hire a professional: Consider hiring a professional, such as an architect or engineer, to assist you with the building plans approval process. They can help ensure that your plans meet all requirements and can provide valuable insight into the process.
4. Be proactive: Stay in touch with the county throughout the approval process and follow up regularly to ensure that everything is moving along smoothly.

FAQS

What are some of the requirements needed for the approval of building plans in Kajiado County Government?

• Authentic ownership documents (A copy of the title deed and the current official search from the lands office, survey map or the mutation)
• At least five sets of building plans for the architectural drawings and the structural engineer’s drawings(Names on the blueprints should tally with those on the ownership documents)
• Copies of the architect and the structural engineer’s valid practicing licenses.
• The submission process takes a few minutes. This largely depends on the complexity of the plans to be approved.

Who does the verification of the documents before getting the invoice?

Assistant planner checks if all documents are there i.e. copy of the title, all drawings, site plans, and survey plans. mutation form, architect’s registration certificate, etc.

All the documents are taken to the county planner for checking. At this stage, the planner will check whether the drawings meet the minimum requirements or ask the architect/developer to change the drawings to fit the council requirements if it fall short.

If they meet the minimum requirements, the approval application fees can now be paid and payment slip submitted with the drawings.

NOTE: Remember all fees are payable directly to the county government revenue collection bank account.

How long will it take for a building plan to get an approval stamp?

After the payment of council fees, the drawing now circulates to the necessary personnel to get the approval stamp and signature. This process takes a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 4 weeks.

When should a developer/home owner pick the documents?

 The document can  be picked once  stamped by necessary personnel which usually takes 2-4 weeks after submission. Approved building plan s comes with a construction permit.

Also Check >>Kiambu County Online Building Approval 

For further inquiries contact us.

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