A Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining a Construction Permit in Busia County
Understanding Busia County Building Plan Regulations
Busia County, located in Western Kenya, has a well-defined building plan approval process. If you are planning to construct a building in Busia County, it is important to understand the procedures and regulations that you need to follow in order to obtain a building plan approval.
In this article, we will discuss the Busia County building plan approval process in detail.
Step 1: Conceptualization and Planning
The first step in the building plan approval process is conceptualization and planning. This is where you come up with the idea of what you want to construct and plan for it. At this stage, it is important to consider the use of the building, its size, and the location. It is also important to conduct a site analysis to determine whether the site is suitable for construction.
Step 2: Engage a Professional
Once you have a plan, the next step is to engage a professional to prepare the architectural and engineering drawings. The professional should be registered with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) or the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).
The drawings should be in compliance with the County Building Codes, zoning regulations, and other relevant laws.
Step 3: Submit the Application
After the architectural and engineering drawings are complete, the next step is to submit the application for building plan approval to the County Government of Busia. The application should include the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Survey map
- Certified Architectural drawings that include detailed plans, elevations, and sections of the building
- Certified Structural drawings & calculations for the building
- Proof of ownership or lease of the land on which the building will be constructed
- Evidence of payment of relevant fees
- Land rates clearance
Step 4: Review of the Application
Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the County Government of Busia. The review process will take into consideration the building codes, zoning regulations, and other relevant laws. The review process may take up to 30 days.
During the review, the County Government of Busia will conduct a site inspection. This is to ensure that the proposed building as in the architectural and engineering drawings complies with building codes, zoning regulations, and other relevant laws.
Step 5: Approval or Rejection
Based on the review of the application and site inspection, the County Government of Busia will either approve or reject the building plan. If the building plan is approved, the applicant will be issued with a building plan approval certificate.
If the building plan is rejected, the applicant will be given reasons for the rejection and will be required to make the necessary changes to the building plan before resubmitting it for approval.
For commercial projects, NCA registration is required.
Step 7: 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 a 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, 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: Construction
After obtaining the building plan approval certificate & NCA registration, the applicant can proceed with the construction of the building. It is important to ensure that the construction is done in accordance with the approved building plan.
Any changes to the building plan must be approved by the County Government of Busia.
During the construction process, the County Government of Busia will conduct periodic inspections to ensure that the construction is in compliance with the approved building plan. The inspections may include a review of the structural drawings, soil report, and fire safety plan.
Step 8: Final Inspection and Occupancy
Once the construction is complete, the County Government of Busia will conduct a final inspection to ensure that the building is in compliance with the approved building plan.
If the building passes the final inspection, the applicant will be issued with a certificate of occupancy, allowing them to occupy the building.
FAQS: Busia County Building Plan Approval Process
Who is responsible for approving building plans in Busia County?
The Busia County government, through the County Department of Physical Planning and Housing, is responsible for approving building plans in the county.
What types of building plans require approval in Busia County?
All building plans for new structures, alterations, or additions to existing structures require approval from the County Department of Physical Planning and Housing.
How do I apply for building plan approval in Busia County?
You can apply for building plan approval in Busia County by submitting your building plans and other required documents to the County Department of Physical Planning and Housing. You can do this in person at their offices or online through the e-construction permit system.
What documents are required for building plan approval in Busia County?
The exact documents required may vary depending on the specific project, but in general, you will need to submit a site plan, floor plan, elevation plan, structural plan, electrical plan, and plumbing plan.
You may also be required to submit a copy of your title deed or land lease agreement, as well as any necessary permits or clearances from other relevant government agencies.
How long does it take to get building plan approval in Busia County?
The timeline for building plan approval in Busia County can vary depending on the complexity of the project, the completeness of the submitted plans and documents, and the workload of the County Department of Physical Planning and Housing.
However, the department aims to complete the process within 45 days of receiving a complete application.
How much does it cost to get building plan approval in Busia County?
The cost of building plan approval in Busia County depends on the size and complexity of the project. How much is the approval fees: The rates for building plan approval in Busia County vary depending on the estimated cost of construction. Generally, the fee is 1% of the estimated cost of construction.
