Obtain a soil test report for technical control
Agency: Private firm
According to Art. 6 of Law 94-9 of January 31, 1994 on technical control during construction ( Loi No. 94-9 du 31.01.94 relative à la Responsabilité et au Contrôle Technique dans le Domaine de la Construction et Loi No. 94-10 du 31.01.94 relative au Régime d’Assurance de cette Responsabilité), it is mandatory to have a soil test.
Time and cost: 10 days, TND 6,000
Obtain topographical study of the construction site
Agency: Private firm
BuildCo must obtain a topographical survey prepared by the qualified topographic services, or by an approved topographer.
Time and cost: 7 days, TND 1,500
Obtain tax clearance certificate
Agency: Recette des Finances
BuildCo must provide proof of payment of property tax for the land where the warehouse will be built.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Hire an accredited engineering firm to review plans and supervise construction
Agency: Inspection Bureau (Bureau de Contrôle)
Consulting engineers are licensed by the Ministry of Equipment and Habitat. The company receives certification that plans conform to the building standards.
Time and cost: 7 days, TND 4,401
Obtain building permit
Agency: Municipality
A building commission composed of the following persons is responsible for reviewing and approving all building permit requests: head and deputy head of the Buildings Department, deputy head of the buildings department, chief engineer, representative of the Ministry of Housing and Equipment, representative from the Ministry of Development, and representatives from each of the main utility companies (STEG, ONAS, and SONEDE).
The building commission meets at least once a week or more often depending on the demand. If the building commission finds minor issues with the designs, it will correct the plans accordingly and issue the building permit on a conditional basis. The permit applicant will be granted the building permit as long as the suggested changes to the plans are accepted and carried out. The building permit is valid for 3 years. After these 3 years have elapsed, an applicant can renew the permit at the Municipality for a fee.
The construction license file must include the following:
- An application
- Architectural plans approved by an architect and consistent with local building code requirements and land development regulations
- A safety file approved by an engineer registered with the Tunisian Association of Engineers.
- Proof of property rights
- Tax discharge
- A topographical survey prepared by the qualified topographic services or an approved topographer
- Work design documents (dossier de coffrage)
Once license documents are approved by the Construction Licensing Commission, BuildCo must submit the structural design documents to the Commission signed by an engineer registered with the Tunisian Association of Engineers.
An order of alignment delivered by the Ministry of Equipment, if the building is located on a classified road or an urban avenue.
Time and cost: 68 days, TND 2,051
Receive random inspection from the Municipality
Agency: Municipality
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive final inspection and approval from the Civil Protection Services
Agency: Civil Protection Services (Protection Civile)
About 7 days after the notification of construction completion, the Civil Protection Services performs an inspection of the completed building. After the final inspection, BuildCo receives a certificate of approval.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Request and receive final inspection and approval (“permis de récolement”) from the Municipality
Agency: Municipality/Civil Protection Services
Upon completion of the construction, BuildCo must immediately submit the final building plans to the municipal authorities, who will inspect the building. After the final inspection, BuildCo receives a certificate of approval.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Apply for water connection
Agency: Société Nationale d’Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux (SONEDE)
BuildCo must submit the following documents along with the application for a water connection to SONEDE: proof of ownership of the land, location plan, and the building permit issued by the local municipality
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Apply for sewage connection
Agency: Office National de l’Assainissement (ONAS)/Société Nationale d’Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux (SONEDE)/Municipality (one-stop shop)
Time and cost: day, no charge
Receive inspection from SONEDE (water)
Agency: Société Nationale d’Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux (SONEDE)
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection from ONAS (sewage)
Agency: Office National de l’Assainissement (ONAS)
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water connection
Agency: Société Nationale d’Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux (SONEDE)
The duration and cost can vary based on the distance to the existing water mains.
Time and cost: 21 days, TND 500
Obtain sewage connection
Agency: Office National de l’Assainissement (ONAS)
The duration and cost can vary based on the distance to existing sewer mains.
Time and cost: 21 days, TND 500
