Nyamira County Building Plan Approval Process (Construction Permit)
A Step-by-Step Guide On Obtaining a Construction Permit in Nyamira County
Nyamira County, located in the former Nyanza Province of Kenya, was once part of Kisii County when Kisii County was a district. It is sometimes referred to as North Kisii County and is situated in the Lake region economic cluster.
The county shares borders with Kisii, Homabay, Kericho, and Bomet Counties. The largest town in the county is Nyamira, which is also the county headquarters and home to all county offices.
Nyamira County is divided into five subcounties, namely Nyamira South, Nyamira North, Borabu, Masaba North, and Manga.
Additionally, the county is divided into 20 wards, including Bogichora, Bosamaro, Bonyamatuta, Township, Bokeira, Bomwagamo, Ekerenyo, Magwagwa, Itibo, Kiabonyoru, Esise, Mekenene, Nyansiongo, Rigoma, Gachuba, Gesima, Magombo, Kemera, and Manga Wards.
Building plan approval is an essential process that property owners in Nyamira County must go through before starting any construction project. This process is necessary to ensure that buildings are safe, functional, and comply with the county’s building regulations.
Nyamira County Building Plan Approval Process;
Step 1: Site Survey & Drawing Preparation
The first step in the building plan approval process is to conduct a site survey before you design the project.
Before drafting the building plan application, the property owner should conduct a site survey with a registered architect or engineer to assess the property’s suitability for development. The assessment should include soil tests, topography, drainage, and other factors that could impact the construction project.
This involves assessing the suitability of the site for construction, ascertaining the actual land measurements, topography, utilities and 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: Submission of Building Plan Application
The first step in the building plan approval process is the submission of the building plan application. This application is usually made to the Nyamira County Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development.
When submitting a new application for building plan approval in Nyamira County, several documents will be required. These documents include architectural drawings from an architect or firm registered with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) and structural drawings from a structural engineer or firm registered with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).
In addition to the drawings, you will also need to provide a copy of the land ownership document, a land rates clearance certificate, a land search document that is not more than three months old, and a survey map from Survey of Kenya.
Finally, you will need to pay the submission fee, which is determined by the complexity of your design.
This fee varies depending on the size and complexity of the project, but it is generally most cases, the 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 3: Building Plan Review
Once the building plan application is submitted, the Nyamira County Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development review the plan.
This review is to ensure that the plan complies with the county’s building regulations, including the minimum standards for construction, safety, and environmental impact.
Step 4: Inspection
After the plan review, the Nyamira County Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development conduct an inspection of the site to confirm that the proposed building project is feasible and complies with the county’s building regulations.
During the inspection, the department verifies that the site is suitable for the proposed construction and that the project meets the county’s zoning laws.
Step 5: Approval
If the building plan application meets all the requirements of the Nyamira County building regulations, the Nyamira County Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development issue a building plan approval certificate.
The certificate is usually issued within 30 days after the submission of the building plan application. The approval certificate authorizes the property owner to proceed with the construction project.
If the plan is rejected, the applicant is given a reason for the rejection and advised on how to make the necessary changes.
If the plan is approved, the applicant is issued a building permit that allows them to commence 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 the developer with the contractor.
- Supervision Commitment Letters by consultants and/or agreements/contracts by developers 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, a 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 an 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 & NCA registration(where applicable), 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 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 Nyamira 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 that the resulting building meets the county’s regulations and standards.
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) approval
For commercial construction projects, developers need to obtain approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
This involves commissioning an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study by a licensed expert registered with NEMA, and submitting the EIA report along with approved county drawings to NEMA for approval and registration.
National Construction Authority (NCA) Registration
In addition, the contractor(s) selected for the construction work must be registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA) and have a valid license for the current financial year.
To register the proposed construction project with NCA, the contractor needs to fill out a project registration form, which can be downloaded from the NCA website.
Once the application is submitted, the contractor receives a temporary certificate indicating that the registration is under process.
The contractor then submits the project registration form to NCA along with various documents, such as approved architectural and structural drawings, NEMA certificate, Bill of Quantities (BoQ Summary), signed contract documents from the client and contractor, contractor’s registration certificate, practicing certificates for quantity surveyor, architect, and engineer, as well as the client’s KRA certificate. Once all the necessary documents are submitted, NCA issues a compliance certificate.
FAQS about Nyamira County Building Plan Approval
What is building plan approval in Nyamira County?
Building plan approval is the process through which the Nyamira County government ensures that construction projects within its jurisdiction comply with applicable building codes and regulations.
It involves submitting plans and documents related to the proposed construction to the relevant authorities for review and approval.
Who is responsible for building plan approval in Nyamira County?
The Nyamira County Government is responsible for building plan approval in the county. Specifically, the county’s Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development oversees the approval process.
What types of construction projects require building plan approval in Nyamira County?
All types of construction projects require building plan approval in Nyamira County, including residential, commercial, and industrial projects. This includes both new construction and renovations or additions to existing structures.
What documents are required for building plan approval in Nyamira County?
The specific documents required for building plan approval in Nyamira County may vary depending on the type and scope of the proposed construction project. However, typically, the following documents are required:
- 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
- Environmental impact assessment report (if applicable)
How long does the building plan approval process take in Nyamira County?
The building plan approval process in Nyamira County can take several weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the project and the number of applications currently being processed. However, the Nyamira County Government is committed to ensuring a timely and efficient approval process.
What are the fees associated with building plan approval in Nyamira County?
The fees associated with building plan approval in Nyamira County vary depending on the type and scope of the proposed construction project.
However, generally, the fees are calculated based on the size of the project and the services required from the county government. The specific fees can be obtained from the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development.
