Apply for the site validity certificate
Agency: Municipal Authority
BuildCo applies at the Municipal Authority to obtain the site validity certificate, which proves that the site conforms to the planning and building requirements. The request identifies the site, the address and the borders of the land. A copy of the applicant’s national ID and receipt of the payment must be attached to the request. Article 19 of Law 119/2008 sets a ceiling of EGP 200 for the fee related to the obtainment of the site validity certificate. This ceiling can be increased at no more than 3% every year.
These are the documents that are needed for this request:
- Root of title to the subject parcel of land
- Survey plan (3 copies required)
- Official receipt for application fees of two hundred Egyptian Pound
- A copy of the applicant’s national ID
- Cell phone contact and e-mail addresses where applicable
Time and cost: 1 day, EGP 200
Receive on-site inspection from the Municipality
Agency: Municipality
Before issuing the site validity certificate, an inspector from the Municipal Engineering Department inspects the construction site to verify that there are no pre-existing buildings or illegal demolition on the plot of land and to check the data to ensure there are no irregularities on the plot of land.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain site validity certificate from the Municipality
Agency: Municipality
The site validity certificate is issued after the inspection. According to Article 110 of Law 144/2009, the certificate must be issued within 1 week after the submission of the application. If there are any hindrances in the site, the administrative body shall issue a statement indicating the hindrances that block the issuance of the site validity certificate.
Time and cost: 15 days, no charge
Obtain a geotechnical study / soil test
Agency: Private sector
BuildCo will request a soil test for the structural calculations for the foundation.
Time and cost: 9 days, EGP 4,500
Request and obtain building permit from the Municipality
Agency: Municipality
To obtain a building permit from the Municipal Authority, the engineer of BuildCo must file the following documents, along with the clearances described in the previous procedures:
- The original ownership contract of the plot of land (only copy to be provided, the original is viewed by the officer, but returned to investor);
- A copy of the national ID of the engineer (who is submitting the file);
- The engineer’s authorization to act on behalf of the owner;
- The construction value form, approved by the engineer;
- The site validity certificate;
- A receipt attesting the payment of fees for examination of the drawings and details;
- An overall drawing of the site (scale minimum 1:1,000) that indicates (a) the boundaries and dimensions of the land for which the permit is required, together with the total land area; and (b) the part on which construction is requested, as well as the facing roads and their widths.
- Three copies of the architectural drawings for the plans and elevations; a vertical section, indicating the building height and the road’s zero level and the structural drawings of the foundations, columns, and the reinforced ceilings. All drawings must be signed by an accredited engineer.
The Building Law establishes a 30-day statutory time limit for issuing building permits. This time limit can be extended in case the Municipal Authority considers the application incomplete. The engineer of the Municipal Authority reviews the building permit file in order to check its completeness and reviews the drawings to ensure that they comply with the site validity certificate.
Time and cost: 30 days, EGP 3,465
Hire an external engineer to supervise the construction site
Agency: Independent licensed enginee
BuildCo must hire an independent engineer to supervise the project. The hired engineer must prove that he is affiliated with the syndicate of licensed engineer.
Time and cost: 1 day, EGP 2,000
Obtain approval of the execution supervision certificate from the Syndicate of Licensed Engineers
Agency: Syndicate of Licensed Engineers
BuildCo must obtain the approval of the Execution Supervision Certificate by the local branch of the Syndicate of Engineers. The approval certifies that the engineer is in fact licensed and that s/he is not supervising too many projects.
Time and cost: 1 day, EGP 416
Inform the Municipality before beginning construction
Agency: Municipality
BuildCo sends a letter to the Municipal Authority to inform them that construction works will commence. The letter must be sent at least 15 days prior to starting construction. BuildCo must attach the following documents to the letter: (i) the contractor’s contract, approved by the Egyptian Federation for Construction and Building Contractors, if applicable; (ii) and the execution supervision certificate, approved by the Syndicate of Engineers.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive set-back inspection from the Municipality
Agency: Municipality
The Municipality will inspect the construction site on a regular basis. Each inspection takes a day at most.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive on-site inspection from the Municipality – II
Agency: Municipality
The Municipality will inspect the construction site on a regular basis. Each inspection takes a day at most.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive on-site inspection from the Municipality – III
Agency: Municipality
The Municipality will inspect the construction site on a regular basis. Each inspection takes a day at most.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain approval of the construction conformity certificate from the Syndicate of Licensed Engineers
Agency: Syndicate of Licensed Engineers
The supervising engineer has to submit a certificate stating that the building has been built in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations. This certificate must be signed by the supervising engineer and approved by the Syndicate of Licensed Engineers.
Time and cost: 1 day, EGP 300
Request and receive on-site inspection from the Civil Defense and Firefighting Authority
Agency: Civil Defense and Firefighting Authority
After the construction has been completed, the Civil Defense and Firefighting Authority inspects the building to check if it complies with the fire safety regulations.
Time and cost: 15 days, no charge
Submit the construction conformity certificate and receive final inspection from the Municipal Authority
Agency: Municipality
After receiving the certificate from the supervising engineer upon completion of work, the Municipality does a final inspection to certify that the warehouse conforms to the specifications outlined in the building permit.
Time and cost: 15 days, no charge
Register the building with the Real Estate Registry
Agency: Real Estate Registry
BuildCo must submit a building registration form, the building permit for the warehouse, and the primary purchase contract of the land on which the warehouse had been built. Law 83 of 2006 amended Decree No. 70 (1964) to decrease registration fees which are now a flat fee of EGP 2,000.00 rather than a percentage of the building value.
Time and cost: 60 days, EGP 2,000
Request water and sewage connection
Agency: Water and Sewerage Authority
Once the completed building has been inspected by the municipality, BuildCo will receive a letter from the municipality allowing it to request utilities connections. Using this letter, BuildCo will request water and sewage connections at the Water and Sewerage Authority.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection for sewerage connection
Agency: Water and Sewerage Authority
The Water and Sewerage Authority will inspect the site and prepare the cost estimate for the sewage connection.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Receive inspection for water connection
Agency: Water and Sewerage Authority
The Water and Sewerage Authority will inspect the site and prepare the cost estimate for the water connection.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Obtain sewerage connection
Agency: Water and Sewerage Authority
Water and Sewerage Authority will provide estimate to BuildCo, and once payment is received, final connection works will be conducted.
Time and cost: 30 days, GP 5,000
Obtain water connection
Agency: Water and Sewerage Authority
Water and Sewerage Authority will provide estimate to BuildCo, and once payment is received, final connection works will be conducted.
Time and cost: 22 days, EGP 10,000
