Obtain topographic survey of the land plot
Agency: Private licensed company
The on-site work will usually be done within 1-2 days. The preliminary information will be made available within two weeks, based on which the architect can begin to develop the project. The rest of the time is allocated to allow all the involved institutions to provide their input (depending on which communications might be present at a particular site). Next, the Geodesic Division of the Riga Construction Board approves the topographic survey.
Time and cost: 24 days, EUR 475
Obtain geo-technical study of the land
Agency: Private licensed company
For the warehouse, as described in the case study, the minimum requirement would be approximately 6 points of testing the soil and at least 1 drill of at least 5 meters deep. In addition the company charges for interpreting the results. The geo-technical survey is carried out using the information presented in the topographic survey.
Time and cost: 21 days, EUR 1,000
Request and obtain a building permit
Agency: Municipal Building Board
From October 1st, 2014 a new Construction Law was enforced. According to the new Law, BuildCo applies for a construction permit by submitting only the Outline of the building that shows the exact location of the building, the architecture of facades , building construction volume and the intended usage of the building. After that the Building Board reviews the outline and if it is in accordance with the local planning and zoning rules, issues the Building permit with architectural planning conditions.
According to Construction law, Section 12 , the Building permit should be either issued or declined within 30 days. After obtaining the building permit with architectural conditions specified, BuildCo has to start developing the Technical Project which will require obtaining the mandatory technical conditions from the relevant agencies (environment protection agency, water and sewage company).
Time and cost: 30 days, EUR 1,409
Obtain technical requirements from the State Environmental Service of the Republic of Latvia
Agency: State Environmental Service of the Republic of Latvia
Technical requirements from the State Environmental Service are issued free of charge. After obtaining the building permit, BuildCo can begin obtaining all the technical conditions.
Time and cost: 28 days, no charge
Obtain technical requirements from water and sewage company
Agency: Riga Water Company (Rīgas Ūdens)
According to the Regulation No 500 of the Cabinet of Ministers the General Construction Regulations from August 19, 2014 (Paragraph 17) the technical requirements should be issued within 20 days. It takes on average 3 weeks in practice.
Time and cost: 21 days, no charge
Obtain design clearance from water and sewage company
Agency: Riga Water Company (Rīgas Ūdens)
The applicant must obtain approval of the project design from the water and sewage company after having first obtained the technical requirements.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Obtain a note in the construction permit regarding execution of the design conditions
Agency: Municipal Building Board
According to the Construction law Section 12, the building authority shall make a note in the construction permit regarding execution of the design conditions included therein within 15 working days from the day when documents certifying execution of all the relevant conditions were submitted to the building authority. This is done after having obtained all the technical requirements and getting the design clearance.
Time and cost: 21 days, no charge
Obtain a note in the construction permit regarding execution of the conditions for commencing construction work
Agency: Municipal Building Board
According to the Construction law Section 12, the Building Authority shall make a note in the explanatory memorandum, certification card or construction permit regarding execution of the conditions for commencing construction work within five working days from the day when documents certifying execution of all the relevant conditions were submitted to the building authority.This can be done after having obtained a note in the construction permit regarding execution of the design conditions.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Receive inspection by the State Environmental Service of the Republic of Latvia
Agency: Latvian Environment Agency
A representative from the State Environmental Service conducts an on-site inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection by Fire Safety and Rescue Department
Agency: Fire Safety and Rescue Department
A representative from the Fire Safety and Rescue department conducts an on-site inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain measurements from State Land Service
Agency: State Land Service
Before placing the newly built or renovated building into operation, the State Land Service takes the measurements of the building and draws the plans of each floor. This is done within 27 days; however, in cases with very complicated buildings, this could take longer. The costs are calculated according to the technical parameters of the building.
Time and cost: 27 days, EUR 263
Obtain water and sewerage connection
Agency: Riga Water Company (Rīgas Ūdens)
According to the Construction Regulations, a written application should be submitted to the relevant water and sewerage company (in Riga, the company is Riga Water Ltd.).
Time and cost: 20 days, EUR 37
Receive on-site inspection and obtain the final handover certificate
Agency: Municipal Building Board
Use of the building may begin only after the final handover. Municipal Building Board inspects the completed project and issues the final handover certificate.
Time and cost: 5 days, no charge
Register the building in the land book
Agency: Land Registry
After receiving of the handover certificate, the building can be registered in the land book. If the owner of the building is the same as the owner of the land, the building is registered in the same file as the land and is deemed an undivided property.
If the owners are different for the building, a separate and independent file is opened and the building is considered a separate object of ownership only while the lease is in force. After that, the building is either removed or becomes the property of the land owner. The cost to complete the procedure is EUR 14.23 for adding the building into the folio + EUR 8.58 for notarized request to register the building.
Time and cost: 20 days, EUR 23
