What is a building/development permit?

Ans. A building/development permit is a written notice/permit issued by the Local Authority (Ho West District Assembly) to a developer in a prescribed form before carrying out any physical development on, under or above land. This includes building permit and other development permits.

This permit is important because the Local Governance Act 936 Section 91 Subsection 1 states that, no physical development shall be carried out in a Metro/Municipality/District without prior approval in the form of written permit granted by the Metro/Municipality/District Planning Authority. This among other, is to promote proper planning management of orderly and harmonious development of human settlements.

Who can apply?

Any person or organization who has legal title to immobile property or plot of land and intends to develop, redevelop/renovate or change its use.

How to Apply

Purchase the Building Permit Application Form(BPA) from the Revenue office and present it to the Town and Country Planning Department of the Assembly.

Requirements

The prospective developer must have the following:

1. Clearance letter after official search on status land from Lands Commission/Land Title Registry upon issuance of a search letter by the Development Control Unit.

• Three (3) sets of working drawings with the following

Requirements;

i. Site Plan (scale 1:1:250 or 1:2,500) ii. Building Fence, and Blocks Plans (scale not less than 1:20 or 1:40 or metric equivalent 1:1000 & 1:2000).

• Building Permit Application Form and Physical Planning Department Form 1.

• Ensure that the under-listed professional sign the various plans to be attached to the Building Permit Application.

i. Professional Town Planner to sign the Block Plan ii. Architect or Licensed draughtsman for Architectural plans  iii. Civil or Structural Engineer to structural drawings for Three (3) storey and above.

Please Note:

You may have to provide the following reports if your development is a multi-storey structure or complex: Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Structural Report, Fire Service Report, Hydro Report, Geological Report or Traffic Management Report.

Submission 

1. Submit completed forms with all other requirements as specifies in the Building Permit Application and TCP 1 Forms to the officer in charge at the town and Country Planning Department.

• On submission, applicant is informed of corrections to be made or additions if any; the processing fee and date for inspection of site (if necessary).

Processing Procedure

1. Team of officers from Physical Planning and Works Departments inspects the site with the Developer within two (2) weeks of receipt of application to confirm the site as shown on the Site Plan and its suitability for the proposed development.

• The Statutory Planning Committee Secretary (District Physical Planning Officer) process the application within two (2) weeks after inspection of site.

• Technical Committee meets to evaluate the application, visits site and makes recommendation to the Statutory Planning Committee (SPC) within four (4) weeks after inspection of site.

• Statutory Planning Committee considers the Development Applications within fourteen (14) working days after the Technical Committee meeting. (ie) The Statutory Planning Committee Secretary submits approved plans to the District Works Department for issuing of development permit within five (5) working days.

Collection of Permit

Pay approved building permit fee at the Revenue office of the Assembly and collect your development permit from the Works Engineer’s office three (3) months after submission of application.

Please Note:

• Receipt issued as payment for processing fee is not a Building Permit.
• Permit can be obtained within the stipulated three (3) months subject to proper title to land and standard drawings
• Building Permit is valid for five (5) years: Applicants who do not start or complete their project within five (5) years must apply for renewal of Permit.
• Development must confirm to the approved Planning Scheme.
• Fees charge are subject to change and regulated by Fee Fixing Resolution adopted by the General Assembly annually.
• Do not make any false declaration on your application else your application shall be rejected.