This is a document
issued by a government agency certifying a
building's compliance with
applicable building codes and other laws, and also
indicating it to be in a condition suitable for occupancy. It is evidence
that the building complies substantially with the plans and specifications that
have been submitted to, and approved by the government authority.
Some
persons bear in mind that the clogs in securing building plan approvals are too
demanding financially and prefer to direct available funds to the construction
proper. However, the purpose of obtaining a building plan permit approval is to
prove that, according to the law, the house or building is in habitable
condition. Here in Lagos State, obtaining a building plan permit is generally
required whenever there is:
Ø New Construction/Development-
Newly constructed buildings usually need to apply for a building plan permit.
Ø Renovation –For changes or improvements to be carried out on a
building, a new building plan permit is usually required;
Ø Re-validation - after expiration of 2 years of obtaining permits without commencement of
construction, the builder is required to re validate all existing documents for
approval before commencing construction;
Ø Demolition/Major Construction
- For constructions that can change the occupancy of the property or that
changes the way in which you exit the property.
GUIDELINES
TO FOLLOW WHEN PROCESSING A BUILDING PLANNING PERMIT APPROVAL
After
the full ownership of the land has been resolved either by purchase, transfer
or inheritance, an architect or designer has to be commissioned as suggested by
the Nigerian building code.
The
next step is to visit the local planning authority within whose jurisdiction
the land is located with a copy of the architectural drawing with emphasis on
the site plan, floor plans and section for vetting by the principal technical
officer who by training should have an apt understanding of spatial
relationships and space sub-division as an architect as well as also having a
full understanding of the basic rules on setbacks, height restrictions and
floor area that can be developed within any site, within the scope of the
jurisdiction of the office.
This
step is targeted to verify the conformity of the design to the approval
standards and order of development that the jurisdiction has defined with a
view to eliminating wastage of funds for the production of five copies of the
design which might have to be corrected. Once the principal technical officer
indicates conformity of the design to basic standards, you can authorize your
architect or designer to further produce the remaining duplicate copies.
The
District Officer of the district Town Planning office grants permits within
their areas of jurisdiction with clearance from and concurrence approval of the
General Manager, Permanent secretary, Hon. Commissioner for Ministry of physical planning & Urban
Development (MPP&UD) and His Excellency, the Governor , where applicable.
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