Obtain copy of the land deed
Agency: Makhzan of Kabul Collateral Court
After decades of conflict, most people have lost their deeds, relying on informal ownership claims to land. In post-conflict Kabul, a copy of the title deed is part of the documentation needed to apply for a building permit. BuildCo must file a written claim to the appeal court of Kabul stating they lost their deed. The claim must contain the property specification, deed number, district number, and number of the court that issued the deed. It takes about a week to obtain a valid copy of the title deed.
When the deed is lost, the owner must advertise the case through news paper or radio and then request from the court to issue a duplicate deed. Within 7 — 10 days the court will issue a scanned copy of the deed without charges.
Time and cost: 3 days, AFN 3,000
Request and receive an inspection from the Municipality’s Survey and Master Plan Department for the Sketch of the land plot (Koroki)
Agency: Kabul Municipality
It is possible to request and receive an inspection from the Municipality’s Survey and Master Plan Department for the Sketch of the land plot (Koroki) at the same time as placing a request for a copy of the land deed.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain the sketch of the land plot
Agency: Kabul Municipality
Time and cost: 3 days, no charge
Obtain zoning approval from Kabul Municipality
Agency: Kabul Municipality
BuildCo must go to the municipality to check the Kabul Master Plan and to obtain a zoning approval. The master plan is 15 — 20 years old and has not been recently updated.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Obtain building permit from Kabul Municipality
Agency: Kabul Municipality
BuildCo submits a copy of the title deed, the zoning approval, the building design(s), and proof of the employees’ qualifications. If the property is inside the Kabul Master Plan, the designs are sent to the Engineering Department and a committee will approve them. BuildCo then pays the building permit fee. The municipality sends approval copies to various municipal departments (e.g. the police). The building permit fee is not standardized – the fees can vary from applicant to applicant.
Time and cost: 145 days, USD 750
Receive random inspection from Municipality
Agency: Kabul Municipality
At the beginning of the construction work, an official from the Municipality District Office and the Construction Control Department with the help of the district police will come to the construction site to verify the construction permit.
If the builder has a permit, the company can continue their work; otherwise the project will be stopped and a bribe to both parties would allow the work to continue. Doing Business does not include these types of unofficial payments.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection from the police
Agency: Police
On average, either the Kabul Municipality or its police department will visit the construction site every month (about six inspections for a 30-week project).
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection from Municipality
Agency: Kabul Municipality
On average, either the Kabul municipality or its police department will visit the construction site every month (about six inspections for a 30-week project).
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection from the police
Agency: Police
On average, either the Kabul municipality or its police department will visit the construction site every month (about six inspections for a 30-week project).
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection from Municipality
Agency: Kabul Municipality
On average, either the Kabul municipality or its police department will visit the construction site every month (about six inspections for a 30-week project).
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection from the police
Agency: Police
On average, either the Kabul municipality or its police department will visit the construction site every month (about six inspections for a 30-week project). Inspectors often demand bribes of AFN 5,000.00 to AFN 10,000.00 for each visit. The Doing Business project, however, does not account for any of these informal payments.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Drill well for temporary water supply
Agency: Central Authority for Water and Sewerage
Water supplies in Afghanistan are obtained from ground water sources and manmade wells. So BuildCo must dig its own well.
Normally builders drill up to 50 meters deep but it depends on the needs and willingness of the owner.
The cost can range from USD 10 to USD 1,000 per meter depending on the quality of the soil (if there are lots of rocks, etc.).
Time and cost: 15 days, USD 5,000
Build septic tank for sewage
Agency: Central Authority for Water and Sewerage
In the absence of a waste management system, Afghan businesses must build their own septic tanks.
Time and cost: 20 days, USD 15,000
