Obtain a topographic map
Agency: Private licensed company
A topographic map is obtained prior to designing the building plans. This map measures the variation in levels on the specific terrain. It is a general technical requirement when building a structure of this class.
Time and cost: 11 days, USD 1,100
Request and obtain certificate of line and dimensions (certificado de medidas perimetrales y anchos de calles)
Agency: General Directorate of Registration of Works and Cadastre (Dirección General de Registro de Obras y Catastro- DGROC)
BuildCo can obtain the certificate online and free of charge.
Time and cost: 0.5 days, no charge
Request and obtain land title (certificado de nomenclatura parcelaria)
Agency: General Directorate of Registration of Works and Cadastre (Dirección General de Registro de Obras y Catastro- DGROC)
BuildCo can obtain the certificate online paying a fee of ARS 2,500.
Time and cost: 0.5 days, ARS 2,500
Hold a cadastral consultation (consulta de registro catastral)
Agency: General Directorate of Registration of Works and Cadastre (Dirección General de Registro de Obras y Catastro- DGROC)
The cadastral consultation is a prerequisite for clarifying subsequent procedures. The land ownership certificate, the plot surface area, and the terrain and cadastral measurements are confirmed. Proof of consultation is issued.
Since January 2019, BuildCo can obtain the cadastral consultation paying a fee of 1,000 ARS.
Time and cost: 0.5 days, ARS 1,000
Request and obtain certificate of project drawings (certificado de encomienda) from College of Professional Architects
Agency: College of Professional Architects
The fee the College of Professional Architects charges ARS with 8,760.
Fee schedule can be accessed at http://www.cpau.org/nota/7352/tramites
Time and cost: 1 day, ARS 8,760
Obtain construction work use form (certificado de uso conforme)
Agency: General Directorate of Registration of Works and Cadastre (Dirección General de Registro de Obras y Catastro- DGROC)
Similar to a zoning certificate, the form is issued according to the Urban Planning Code. Since January 2019, BuildCo can obtain the certificate online paying a fee of ARS 235
Time and cost: 0.5 days, ARS 235
Request and obtain delineation and construction rights (derechos de delineación y construcción)
Agency: General Directorate of Registration of Works and Cadastre (Dirección General de Registro de Obras y Catastro- DGROC)
BuildCo must request the payment of delineation and construction rights and inspections to the Accounting department of DGROC.
Since 2019, this procedure can be done through the e-platform TAD enabled by the Buenos Aires Municipality. BuildCo must fill an online form and obtain a paying-in slip. The proof of payment of such slip is one of the documents needed for obtaining the building permit and must be attached to BuildCo’s application.
Time and cost: 0.5 days, ARS 425,361
Obtain a new construction project permit (permiso de obra nueva)
Agency: General Directorate of Registration of Works and Cadastre (Dirección General de Registro de Obras y Catastro- DGROC)
Once that BuildCo has submitted its application through the TAD platform, it takes three months to DGROC to issue the building permit. This step is free of charge as BuildCo pays for the building permit issuance in the previous procedure.
Time and cost: 90 days, no charge
Request and obtain environmental impact assessment certificate
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Agencia de Proteccion Ambiental)
Other documents needed include the following:
- Environmental Assessment Impact form (Formulario Categorización Impacto Ambiental)
- DDJJ through Form Annex II Dcto 1352/02
- Formula Polinómica s/ Annex VIII de Resol. 873–SSMAMB/ 04
- Aide memoire (memoria descriptiva) with the signature of the main representative (firma del titular) s/ Annex Vd Decree 1352/02 that includes:
- Description of the activity, including materials and inputs, supply and storage processes, operation and location of the machinery used, logistics to deliver products and services, among other things.
- Further details or clarifications on emissions, solid waste, noise vibrations from machinery, and so forth (including results from the formula polinómica).
- Detailed information on cargo-handling logistics.
- Detailed information of construction projects designed to mitigate negative impacts.
- Detailed information on land usage.
- Fire prevention plan.
- Waste management plan.
- Environmental impact map
- Registration number in the Registry for Consultants and Professionals (Reg. No. 344 Evaluac. Ambtal. 4/10/00)
- Encomienda to the Professional Council
- Notarized copy of the property title
According to Article 150 of 2018 Tariff Law of the City of Buenos Aires, the fee for buildings between 1,000 and 5,000 m2 is ARS 4.920,00
Time and cost: 60 days, ARS 4,920
Notify the Governmental Inspection Agency on completion of the construction work foundation and receive inspection
Agency: Governmental Inspection Agency (Agencia Gubernamental de Control)
Since January 2019, BuildCo can make the notification online. It takes 7 days to receive the inspection.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Notify the Governmental Inspection Agency on completion of the construction work structure and receive inspection
Agency: Governmental Inspection Agency (Agencia Gubernamental de Control)
Since January 2019, BuildCo can make the notification online. It takes 7 days to receive the inspection.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Notify the Governmental Inspection Agency on completion of the construction work masonry and receive inspection
Agency: Governmental Inspection Agency (Agencia Gubernamental de Control)
Since January 2019, BuildCo can make the notification online. It takes 7 days to receive the inspection.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Notify the Governmental Inspection Agency on completion of construction work and receive inspection
Agency: Governmental Inspection Agency (Agencia Gubernamental de Control)
To receive a work completion notice, BuildCo must submit the following documents to the city of Buenos Aires:
- A document from Directorate of Real Estate and Registry, proving the sworn declaration of completed work. That form is obtained in that directorate and displays the proprietor’s signature, in addition to a simple heliographic copy of the building plan
- Original plan of the work in fabric or film transparent polyester, which can be unified (architecture and structures) or displayed in two separated originals
- Architecture plans (six heliographic copies) and structure plans (six heliographic copies)
- Plans on fire protection (two copies)
- Descriptive record with detail of materials and elements used in the completed work (original and copy)
- Form of statistics
- Request of sworn declaration of completion (triplicate)
- Plan showing medical facility
BuildCo must submit an affidavit on completion of the construction work. After that, the administrative authority has 60 working days to verify the affidavit’s accuracy and truthfulness. According to the Building Code, this action releases contractors involved in the construction from liability, leaving the owner as the sole liable party. Even so, neither the final approval nor the affidavit nor the final construction plans are required for municipal approval of the warehouse.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Request and connect to water services
Agency: Aguas y Saneamientos Argentinos S.A.
To obtain a connection to potable water service, the final construction work layout (with the relevant certificate issued by the municipal authorities) must be submitted at the commercial office in the zone where the construction site is located. Upon submission, a provisional invoice will be issued according to the size of the construction site.
Time and cost: 14 days, ARS 1,200
Notarize the forms required for final authorization
Agency: Notary Public (Escribano Público)
A notary public draws up the authorization deed (escritura de habilitación). The fee depends on the size of the work. In the case of the Doing Business case study warehouse, the fee would be approximately 2,800.
Time and cost: 7 days, ARS 2,800
Request and obtain final authorization (Habilitacion Municipal)
Agency: General Building Authorization and Permit Department (Dirección General de Habilitaciones y Permisos – DGHP)
According to applicable regulations, authorization may be granted provisionally (pending final authorization) for the construction of either (a) a new facility or any of its parts or (b) any extension or modification to an existing one. However, the use must coincide with that stated on the documents for the project approved for execution, provided that the relevant part has been completed pursuant to applicable regulations.
Final authorization must be requested within 30 days of work completion.
As required by the type of authorization procedure, the construction professional (architect, engineer, construction foreman, land surveyor) must prepare the documents. The following forms must be purchased from the corresponding professional board (consejo profesional):
- Request for authorization
- Usage certificate (certificado de uso conforme)
- Site layout, if applicable
- Plans or final certificate of fire, ventilation, and mechanical installation, if applicable
- Certificate or supporting document attesting to the submittal of the environmental aptitude application (solicitud de aptitud ambiental) (Law 123, Law 452, and regulatory decrees)
For this purpose, if requested, the construction professional must verify whether the site’s building conditions conforms to the pertinent zoning. If necessary, the professional must also consult with the Urban Planning Institute (Consultora Planificacion Urbana, CPU) before starting the procedure.
Time and cost: 173 days, ARS 11,880
Register the building
Agency: Dirección de Rentas
The building must be registered at the Revenue Department (Dirección de Rentas) by submitting the final approved plans.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
