Is a set requirement by the government of Kenya through its regulatory authorities that all construction activities to be approved before commencement any work. The is meant to ensure that the work to be done has met the standards set by the government.
In building construction, the regulatory authorities are including the county government, the National Environmental Management authority and the National Construction Authority.
County Government Approval
This is the first stage of approval for any building construction process. And it varies from one county government to another in requirements and process. For instance, Kiambu county, Nairobi County and Mombasa County approval process is online while for the county governments documents are submitted physically. For online approvals drawings must be submitted by registered and licensed architects and Engineers through their registered online portals.
The following are the minimum requirements for county government approvals:
Architectural Drawing
The architectural drawing must meet the minimum requirements set by each county government for instance the set for the house from the main road is always set to 6 meters for most county government.
Some minimum requirements for an architectural drawing by the county government are; detailed layout plans, detailed elevation drawings, detailed sections, a well detailed site plan, a location plan and a detailed plan for a septic tank for some counties while other counties require the architect to design the sewer connections.
Structural Design
The structural designed is a drawing that shows the structural details of the foundation, reinforcement details and concrete mix ratio details.
Survey map
A survey map of the project location area is required for submission to confirm whether the project actually exist.
Land rates clearance certificate
In some county government the land clearance certificates is a requirement before the drawings are approved.
Land official search
Official search for the land is a requirement and mostly it is required to have been done in not more than 3 months ago.
Change of use
This is a requirement especially when doing a commercial development. It is done under the Physical Planning ACT (No 6 of 1996).
To change the land use purpose, one is required to do a gazette notice for the same and public notice too.
After the county government approval, the next stage is the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
The National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) Approval
The National Environmental Management Authority was formed under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act of 1999 (EMCA ACT of 1999).
For one to approve a building, an environmental expert is required to do an Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit (EIAA) and submit the report NEMA for approval.
NEMA reviews the environmental report submitted and issues and improvement orders to proponents who would have not met the specific environmental requirements.
Audit reports are acknowledged within one week of submission to NEMA but the submissions are reviewed and communicated to the customer.
There is not lodgment fee for environmental Audits.
The National Construction Authority (Nca) Approval
The National Construction Authority (NCA) was formed under the NCA ACT of 2011 to register and regulate contractors in order to ensure that only competent contractors are allowed to work in the country.
In section 15 of NCA ACT states that no contractor shall conduct business of a contractor without a clearance certificate from the authority.
The NCA seeks to weed out quarks and put to an end to shoddy work and to curb collapsing building and incidents in a sector that remained unregulated for many years since disbandment of the National Construction Corporation in 1986.
The following are some of the requirements for NCA approval:
Registered and Licensed contractor.
The contractor must have been registered by the NCA and issued with an annual practicing license.
Registered and Licensed Architect.
The architect must have been registered by professional bodies such the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and The Board or Registered Architects and Quantity Surveyor (BORAQS).
Registered And Licensed Structural Engineer.
The engineer must be registered by the Engineering Board of Kenya (EBK) also the engineer to be holding a valid annual practicing license.
Registered and Licensed Quantity Surveyor.
The Quantity Surveyor must be registered and licensed by professional bodies such as the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and the Board of Registered and Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS).
Copies of Approved Drawings.
In order for the NCA to issues the approvals, one must submit the drawings approved by the county government; that is, both the architectural and structural drawing.
Copy of the title deed.
This is to confirm that drawings approved actually belongs to the actual owner of the land.
- Copy of the developers KRA PIN
- Bills of quantity.
The is the total priced bill for the entire project.
Construction Permit
This is a permit issued by the county government it approves the drawings.
- Contract agreement between the client and the contractor.
Construction process seems to be a long tedious process but if the right qualified personnel are being involved in the process it becomes simple and convenient. Working with professional in your construction process makes it simpler and saves you on the costs that are incurred when one tries to skip this important approval process.
We usually facilitate you with the Service of guidance through building approvals across all counties in Kenya.
