A guide on your Construction Approval process
A building permit is an attestation document issued by a local government administration authorizing the construction of a new building or the renovation of an existing building.
All construction projects in Kenya are required by law to go through a permitting process before they can begin construction.
If you intend to build, it is recommended that you obtain all necessary approvals before beginning any work on the site.
![Construction Site](https://www.kenyastatenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Screenshot_20220624-2216062-300x195.png)
Kenya’s construction industry is governed by county governments and the National Construction Authority. The county government issues the building permit, but the project must be registered with the National Construction Authority, which issues a compliance certificate before construction can begin.
The permit largely serves the purpose of ensuring the construction activity is safe for workers, the community, and the occupants of the finished project.
Step One: The county planning Office
- To submit your architectural drawings to the county physical planning department, you will need to hire a certified architect. This procedure necessitates the submission of the following documents, as well as any payments required by the planning office:
- Architectural drawing
- Structural drawings
- Title deed
- Certificate of Land Date clearance
land search document that is less than three months old. - Survey map
The procedure calls for the in-charge planner to physically stamp and sign the papers.
The structural drawings are subsequently submitted, provided that the architectural designs have been approved without needing any modifications or adjustments.
Your architect or engineer will be notified by the county government if the process has been successful.
Step Two: The Public Health
The law specifies the standards that any structure must meet to ensure the safety and health of its occupants.
The goal of public health is to examine the design and ensure that adequate space has been allocated for the occupants. Overcrowding is undesirable.
Furthermore, waste disposal is of concern to public health. How is the waste generated by the new buildings disposed of safely? Does the design take into account waste management strategies such as installing a septic tank, drainage system, and manholes?.
If your blueprint meets the requirements of the respective county government’s public health department, your documents will be stamped, and the date of approval will be inscribed on the hard copy of your blueprints.
Step Three: The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA)
Many Kenyans, especially those constructing residential houses, tend to deliberately ignore approvals and certifications by NEMA.
NEMA must be fully involved to provide proper advice concerning environmental issues that may result as a product of your project.
Before any construction can begin, all construction projects must obtain permits from the NEMA office. The process is initiated by the project owner, who hires a NEMA-licensed environmental impact assessment and audit expert.
NEMA officials will conduct preliminary research at the proposed construction site before deciding whether to accept or reject the application. When an application is approved, a project license is issued, indicating that NEMA has given the project the green light to begin construction.
This indicates that they are confident the project will have little or no environmental impact. Additionally, a thorough strategy has to be created by the project owner and the contractor to prevent any negative consequences that the project’s construction might have on the environment.
These include strategies for reducing noise, methods for managing and disposing of waste, and initiatives for reforestation, among others.
You can move forward to the National Construction Authority for final approval now that your project has been granted a NEMA project license.
Step Four: The National Construction Authority (NCA)
The law compels you to get authorization from the government before building your home or any other type of commercial construction. This is accomplished by officially registering the project with the National Construction Authority.
To ascertain if any existing construction complies with the National Construction Authority Regulations of 2014, the Act mandates that investigation officers employed by the authority visit construction sites and conduct inspections.
For your site to be approved, it must contain the components stated Items below.
![House Plan](https://www.kenyastatenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/images-52-300x210.jpeg)
- Site board containing the project’s title, the client’s information, the project consultants, and the necessary approvals.
- Personal safety gear, such as helmets, safety boots, and reflective jackets.
- On-site drawings that have been approved.
- Professional affiliation of the project manager and other construction personnel
To get your project approved, you must submit the following documents:
- Approved architectural and structural plans (and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings if available for the project)
- Monetary bills.
- NEMA project license-signed.
- Agreement/contract between the client and the contractor
- Certificate of registration and operating license for contractors.
- KRA PIN certificate of registration
- Licenses to practice for the project architect, quantity surveyor, and structural engineer.
Project Quality Assurance
Upon approval, you will receive a project compliance certificate that will allow you to start the building process.
The area will always be under surveillance by officers from the authorities.
The area will be marked with an “X” to show that construction work has been suspended if you disregard the guidelines established by the authorities.