5.9 BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS Table 76 Building permit requirements (Combined response)68
Surveying
Architecture
Engineering
Planning
Surveying
Is it obligatory to employ a professional for construction works?
Planning
Is it obligatory to obtain a building permit before undertaking construction works?
Engineering
Country
Architecture
Region
Botswana
Y
Y
Y
-
Y
Y
N
-
Gambia, The
N
-
-
-
N
-
-
-
Ghana
N
Y
Y
-
N
Y
Y
-
Kenya
Y
-
Y
-
-
-
Mauritius
Y
-
Y
-
N
-
Y
-
-
Mozambique
Y Y
-
98
These regulations are poorly enforced
Y
-
-
Y
-
-
-
Only buildings larger than 500m2 and of complex nature.
Nigeria
Y
-
Y
Y
Y
-
N
Y
It is obligatory to employ a Planning professional to establish setbacks, Landscape provisions, etc., during setting out to commence construction. Engineers take full responsibility for infrastructural components.
Rwanda
Y
-
-
Y
Y
-
-
N
The new Building code provides guidelines on the profile of professionals that are required to design and supervise specific categories of buildings. Some housing typology do not require to employ a professional during execution stage
South Africa
Y
N
-
N
-
-
N
-
Y
Tanzania
Caribbean and Americas
Requirement is only for planning permission processes
Namibia
Africa
Asia
Comments
Y
Uganda
Y
Y
N
Y
-
-
Zambia
Y
Y
-
Y
Y
-
-
The Law is not strictly enforced by Local Authorities when granting Planning Permission, an engineering professional should be registered with EIZ before being engaged
Bangladesh
Y
-
-
Y
-
-
-
But some exceptions may be seen in some rural or suburban areas where architects may not be employed and building permits may not be obtained.
India
Y
-
-
Y
-
-
-
-
Y
Malaysia
-
N
Y
Pakistan
Y
-
Y Y
-
-
-
Singapore
Y
-
Y
-
-
-
Sri Lanka
Y
-
Y
-
N
-
Antigua & B
Y
-
-
-
N
-
-
-
Barbados
-
-
Y
-
-
-
N
-
Belize
-
Y
-
-
N
-
-
Canada
-
-
N
-
-
-
N
-
Requirements for architects for construction works varies based on occupancy type and size
Dominica
Y
-
-
-
N
-
-
-
An Architect should be engaged for all civic, institutional and industrial projects. Commercial and residential from a certain size. However, this is not enforced in Dominica.
Grenada
-
Y
N
-
-
Trinidad & T.
Y
-
-
-
N
Y
Y
Y
N
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Planning control is well-established in existing law and the new Planning and Development Act 2019. the status of the Building Code is unclear and is expected to be reviewed with new legislation in the next 12 months.
Yes, it is obligatory, but the majority of construction takes place without any approvals whatsoever
Planning for climate change and rapid urbanisation