How to get you construction project approved step by step

There are three main approval stages in the building plan approvals in Kenya. Namely:

A) County Government Approvals

B) NEMA Approvals

C) Project Registration by National Construction Authority (NCA)

1.COUNTY GOVERNMENT APPROVALS

REQUIREMENTS

-Architectural drawings behind them a registered Architect/Firm by BORAQS.

-Structural drawings behind them a registered Structural Engineer/Firm registered by ERB.

-Land ownership document (Tittle deed/Share Certificate/ lease document)

-Land rates Clearance Certificate

-Land search document (Not more than three Months old)

-Mutation/Survey map

-Approval fee (Determined by your design)

2. NEMA APPROVALS

For Commercial projects, NEMA Project registration is required.

Obtain a project report from a Licensed environmental expert(registered).

Submit the Report together with County Approved drawings for NEMA approval and Registration

3.PROJECT REGISTRATION BY NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY (NCA)

REQUIREMENTS

-Contractor registered by NCA

-Registered Architect/Firm

-Registered Engineer/Firm

-Approved Architectural and Structural drawings.

-NEMA certificate.

-Client’s KRA certificate

-Bill of Quantity (B.o.Q) Summary

-Client and Contractor signed contract documents.

WHAT DOES A COMPLIANT CONSTRUCTION SITE ENTAILS?

– Site signboard Showing all approvals and professionals engaged in the project

-N.C.A registered Contractor

-Safety sign

-Personal Protective Equipment [P.P.E]

– Sufficient hoarding and fencing

-N.C.A Compliance Certificate

– N.C.A accredited Skilled workers and Site Supervisors.

Submitting and obtaining approvals from the county government

Most counties have enacted the e-Development permit System, an online platform through which architects are able to submit their drawings to the County Council.

The architectural plans are submitted first and once approved, is when the structural plans can be submitted by the structural engineer.

Documents that would be required when submitting a new application include:

-Architectural Drawings from an architect/ firm registered by BORAQs(Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors)

-Structural drawings from a structural engineer/ firm registered by ERB (Engineers Regulatory Board)

-Copy of Land ownership documents

-Land rates clearance certificate

-Land search document (not more than three months old)

-Survey map from Survey of Kenya

-Submission fee payment(This is determined by your design).

Once the application is successful, the architect will receive an approval notification. The architect is still required to submit hard copies of the plans to be stamped by the County, even after submitting the documents online.

The engineer must also do the same after the architect’s plans have been stamped.

With approved drawings, construction may start while the application for a building permit.