Kwale County has specific guidelines for obtaining building plan approval. Building plan approval is necessary for any individual or organization intending to construct a new building or renovate an existing one.

The approval process ensures that the building adheres to the county’s regulations and standards, which ultimately guarantee the safety of the occupants and the surrounding environment.

Below are the detailed steps and explanations of the Kwale County building plan approval process.

Eligibility Criteria:

To obtain a construction/building permit in Kwale, the applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:

The applicant must be the owner of the property or have obtained written permission from the owner to proceed with the construction project.
The construction project must comply with the local building codes and regulations.
The applicant must provide a detailed plan and design of the construction project.
The applicant must pay the requisite fee
Provide any additional documents required by the local authorities

Here is a comprehensive guide to the building plan approval process in Kwale County.

Step 1: Site Survey and Design

The first step in the building plan approval process is to conduct a site survey before you design the project. This involves assessing the suitability of the site for construction, ascertaining the actual land measurements, topography, utilities and the designing the proposed building based on the that.

Engaging a qualified architect at this stage is critical to ensure compliance with the county’s building codes.

It is important to ensure that the building design meets the required standards and regulations, and is in compliance with the county’s building codes.

Step 2: Preparation of Drawings

Based on the conceptual design, the next step is to prepare detailed drawings of the proposed building. The drawings should include site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, and any other relevant information.

In most case, both architectural and structural drawings should be done. Certified structural and architectural drawings are required for submission together with other documentation.

Step 3: Submission of Plans

Once you have completed the site analysis and design, you will need to submit your plans to the relevant authorities for approval. In Kwale County, the relevant authority is the County Government’s Department of Physical Planning and Housing.

You will need to submit two copies of your building plans, along with other relevant documents such as site maps, title deeds, and ownership documents.

Other documents include;

Proof of ownership or lease agreement for the site
A survey map
Certified structural and architectural drawings
Structural calculations (where applicable)
Land rates clearance
Land search

After you have submitted your application, you will be required to pay a fee for approval. The fee is based on the value of the construction work you are proposing to do.

This fee varies depending on the size and complexity of the project, but it is generally most cases, building plan approval fee is about 1% of the estimated cost of construction.

The fee covers;

Building plan approval fee
Construction sign board fee
Application fee
Inspection of building file
Occupation certificate

Step 4: Inspection

Before you receive a construction permit, the Department of Physical Planning and Housing will conduct a site inspection to ensure that your construction plans are being followed correctly. They will check to ensure that the construction is in compliance with the approved plans and building codes.

The Department of Physical Planning and Housing will review your plans to ensure that they meet the required standards and regulations.

They will check to ensure that your plans are in compliance with the county’s building codes, zoning regulations, and other relevant laws. This process may take up to 30 days.

Step 5: Approval or Rejection of the Building Plan

After the site inspection, the County Planning Department makes a decision to either approve or reject the building plan. If the plan is approved, the applicant is issued with a building permit that allows them to commence construction. If the plan is rejected, the applicant is given a reason for the rejection and advised on how to make the necessary changes.

If your plans meet the required standards and regulations, the Department of Physical Planning and Housing will issue a building plan approval certificate. This certificate indicates that your plans have been approved and you can proceed with construction.

For commercial projects, NCA registration is required.

Step 6: 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:

Visit the NCA website at https://nca.go.ke/ and download the Project Registration Form.
Fill out the form with the relevant information about your project, including the type of project, location, estimated cost, and project duration.
Attach the necessary documents, including architectural and engineering drawings, environmental impact assessment reports, and other relevant certificates and approvals.
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.
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.

Step 7: Building Construction

After obtaining a building permit, the construction process can begin. During the construction, the County Planning Department conducts regular inspections to ensure that the construction adheres to the approved plan.

Step 8: Certificate of Occupancy

Once your construction is complete, the Department of Physical Planning and Housing will conduct a final inspection to ensure that the building has been constructed according to the approved plans and building codes. If everything is in order, they will issue a certificate of completion.

It is important to follow all the necessary steps and regulations to ensure that your building plans are approved and construction is completed successfully.

In conclusion, the Kwale County building plan approval process involves several steps, including site analysis, conceptual design, preparation of drawings, submission of the building plan, plan review, site inspection, approval or rejection of the building plan, building construction, and obtaining an occupancy permit.

Adhering to these steps is crucial for ensuring that the construction process is safe, and the resulting building meets the county’s regulations and standards.

FAQs about the Kwale County Building Plan Approval process:

Q: Why do I need to obtain building plan approval?

A: Building plan approval ensures that your construction project adheres to the Kwale County regulations and standards. It also ensures that the building is safe for its occupants and the surrounding environment.

Q: What documents do I need to submit for building plan approval?

A: You need to submit the following;

Land Title (copy)
Certified architectural plan (at least 5 copies)
Certified structural plans (at least 5 copies)
Land rates clearance certificate
Architect’s practicing certificate
Engineer’s practicing certificate
A survey plan from Survey of Kenya
Land search

Q: How long does the plan review process take?

A: The review process may take 2-5 weeks, depending on the complexity of the proposed building.

Q: What happens if my building plan is rejected?

A: If your building plan is rejected, you will be given a reason for the rejection and advised on how to make the necessary changes.

Q: Can I start construction before obtaining a building permit?

A: No, you must obtain a building permit before starting construction.

Q: What is an occupancy permit?

A: An occupancy permit verifies that the construction has been completed in accordance with the approved plan and adheres to the county’s regulations and standards.

Q: How often are site inspections conducted during construction?

A: The County Planning Department conducts regular inspections to ensure that the construction adheres to the approved plan. The frequency of inspections depends on the size and complexity of the construction project.

Q: How long does it take to obtain an occupancy permit?

A: The time it takes to obtain an occupancy permit varies depending on the complexity of the construction project and how quickly the inspections can be completed.