Botswana - Obtain a Construction or Building Permit

Advertisement

Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. All developers are required to apply for a construction permit commonly known as a building permit before the construction of their proposed building structures and boundary walls, to the Local Government Planning authorities. Local Planning Authority contact details.
2. Applicants must first apply for planning permission by collecting and completing the Application for Planning & Building Permission Form. Copies of these forms are available at the inquiries desk at any of the Local Authorities offices across the country or directly download it using this link: Application for Planning & Building Permission Form
3. Neighbor’s consultation is a mandatory as well as directory requirement when applying for building permits to construct double-storey buildings or above including boundary walls.
4. The applicant will be required to submit the certified copies of the supporting documents as mentioned under the “Required Documents” section of this page; in addition to the duly completed application forms in all respect, in triplets, to the nearest Local planning authority responsible for the area/settlement where the development is to take place. Any omission of these documents will render the registration process incomplete.
5. If the application is submitted on your behalf by a consultant, the applicant should include a letter naming the consultant as their representative. The applicant should include their postal address, telephone, and fax numbers.
6. Upon receipt of the application file, the Local authority receptionist/secretary at the front desk will verify if all the necessary information and documentation has been provided and that the applications comply with the selection criteria before registering the application file for assessment and consideration by the local authority authorized official.
7. Applicants are issued with an acknowledgment slip/reference number as proof of submission of the application and for inquiry referencing if the need arises.
8. The application will be reviewed by the local authority and depending on the type of application, consultation with other agencies such as the Water Utilities Corporation, Botswana Power Corporation, Department of Environmental Affairs or the Department of Surveys and Mapping may be necessary before submitting the file to the Planning Authority for evaluation and consideration.
9. After such review, the application will be taken to the Physical Planning Committee for a decision.
10. The Physical Planning Committee may request additional information relevant to the application for the purpose of ascertaining compliance by the applicant with all applicable laws and regulations. In such a case, the information must be submitted within the stipulated time from the date of notification. Where the applicant fails to submit the required information, the committee shall reject the application.
11. The client will be notified in writing by the Secretary of the Physical Planning Committee of the local authority regarding the decision (Approval, Deferral, or Rejection) made regarding the application.
12. Upon compliance with the plans, the building permit is issued pertaining to the perused drawings which are valid for two years. Stamps of approval are appended with the signature of the building engineer on all approved plans (drawings).
13. The applicant will be required to visit the local authority office, where the application was lodged and produce a proof of identity document and the approval letter and pay the perusal fee, which is payable either in cash at the council treasury cash point, point of sales card or certified cheques (pre-approved entities only) vary per local authority and type of development proposed, when collecting the construction/building permit.

Appeal to the Land Tribunal

1. Any person who is aggrieved by the decision by the Planning Authorities concern to grant the permit may appeal in writing against the refusal to the Land Tribunal. When one appeals, they must give reasons for not agreeing with the decision and any other information why their application should be re-considered.
   

Advertisement

Required Documents

• Proof of land ownership e.g., Certificate, Title Deed, or Lease
• Copy of a valid National Identity card (Omang) for citizens
• Passport (non-citizens)
• Location map
• Site plan and other sketches and diagrams
• Any other additional supporting documents as requested by the local planning authority.
  

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of Local Development and Rural Development
Private Bag 006
Government Enclave Main Mall
Gaborone
Botswana
Tel. (+267) 365-8400
Fax. 395 2382
Toll-free: 0800-600-718
Ministry Contact Details
Local Planning Authority contact details.

Eligibility

Applications are only accepted from the owner(s) of the property to be developed or their authorized representative.

Fees

• The fees, payable in cash, point of sales card, or certified cheques(pre-approved entities only) vary per local authority and type of development proposed.
• Please speak to the appropriate Planning Authority regarding fees.
  

Validity

The construction/building permit is valid for two years from the date of issue unless suspended or revoked by the authority. If the construction is not completed during this time frame the permit must be renewed.

Documents to Use

Application for Planning & Building Permission Form

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

The time frame for processing the application is one (1) month.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.gIn the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

• Applicant Details
  • Full name of the applicant
  • Postal Address
  • Contact details: (Tel/Cell number/email address)
  • Omang/Passport No
• Plot Details
  • Plot Number
  • Extension/ward
  • Town/village
  • TENURE (Plot owner/ Renting/ Leasehold)
• Site Owner Details
  • Full name of the applicant
  • Postal Address
  • Contact details: (Tel/Cell number/email address)
• Town Planner Details/ Architect Details
  • Full name of the applicant
  • Postal Address
  • Contact details: (Tel/Cell number/email address)
• Company name
• Details of the Proposed Development Details
• Pre-Application Consultation Details
• Materials Details
• Boundary Wall Details
• Modifications of Plans Details
• Utility Details
• Site Access Details
• Declaration by Applicant
  

Need for the Document

All developers are required to possess valid building/construction permits before the construction of their proposed building structures and boundary walls.

Information which might help

Enter other informations which might help.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Planning permission process

Others

More information which might help people.