Obtain a land survey from a private consultant
Agency: Private consultant
A private consultant can be hired to provide this service. The surveyor puts the beacons and draws an electronic map of the land. The government plans to undertake reforms in this area, in particular with regards to fee structure and approval process.
Time and cost: 2 days, BHD 80
Hire an external certified consultant to obtain the building permit and supervise construction
Agency: Private Firm
BuildCo must hire an external consultant office (licensed and registered) to design the project, obtain for a building permit and supervise the project.
Time and cost: 1 day, BHD 15,000
Obtain final building permit
Agency: Municipality
The new “Benayat” online platform has been lunched, through which all construction permit applications and documents are submitted. BuildCo would have to submit all the documents and complete the application online. Then BuildCo selects another licensed engineering firm who will review the submitted documents.
The required documents include:
- Detailed Drawings (structural drawings; sewage engineering drawings; Water network internal maps if applicable; cross section drawings)
- Letter from owner
- Copy of Title Deed
- Copy of property owner’s (or his representative/ inheritors) ID cards
- Valid and latest land survey certificate
- General Directorate of Civil Defense Form
- Recent photo of the site
Once the application is reviewed by the other licensed firm, it is then routed, in parallel, to 3 government entities:
- Sanitary Engineering Planning and Projects Directorate (SEPPD) will receive an application to determine compatibility of connection.
- Water Distribution Directorate (WDD) will determine availability of water network:
- If the network is not available: WDD will inform applicants of the estimated connection date in the issued building permit
- If the network is available but there is a mismatch in flow capacity, WDD will provide applicants with the expected connection date
- Electricity Distribution Directorate (EDD) will determine electricity load availability and inform applicants through the electronic system the estimated connection date if the load is not available. EDD will also perform a site inspection to identify any cable network conflict.
These government agencies provide comments regarding the submitted documents and once all the comments are addressed BuildCo pays the fees and obtains the permit.
Time and cost: 30 days, BHD 529
Request and receive final inspection from Civil Defense
Agency: Civil Defense
According to Article 75 of the Building Regulations: “It is allowed to construct linked or semi-linked stores and warehouses, on condition that the approval of civil defense is obtained with respect to the specifications of the emergency exits, gathering points and other of the security and safety requirements in emergency cases such as fire with noticing the easiness of movement among the stores’ groups.”
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive final inspection from the Municipality
Agency: Municipality
Upon completion of construction, an inspection from the Municipality is required.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain certificate of completion from the Muncipality
Agency: Municipality
After the inspection, the certificate of completion is obtained with which the power connection can be installed.
Time and cost: 4 days, BHD 39
Obtain an Address Certificate
Agency: Central Information Organization (CIO)
The Address Cards are usually issued by the CIO – Central Information Organization based on Municipal list. It is usually issued before completion and final connection of power and services. The following documents must be submitted to obtain the Address Cards: the building permit, stamped drawings and municipal list have to fully match before the Address Cards are issued.
Time and cost: 2 days, BHD 1
Obtain water connection
Agency: Ministry of Water and Electricity – Water Distribution Directorate
BuildCo obtains the water connection through the one-stop shop during the building permit approval process. Cost is BHD 25.00 for a 1/2 inch connection.
Time and cost: 30 days, BHD 25
Obtain sewage connection
Agency: Ministry of Works – Sewage Planning Directorate
If construction is in a pre-zoned area of the city, there is already a planned manhole provision. The construction company can connect directly.
Documents required for the sewage connection are:
- Land deed/certificate of survey (if available) obtained from the Land Registration Ministry of Justice & Islamic Affairs/Survey Land Registration Bureau
- Site location plan obtained from the Ministry of Municipalities & Agriculture
- Layout plan which shows all the proposed internal plumbing and drainage obtained from Consulting Office/Owner
- Copy of the CPR card obtained from Central Statistics
- Copy of the address card obtained from Ministry of Municipalities & Agriculture
- Copy of the building permit (if issued before consulting SEPPD) obtained from the Ministry of Municipalities & Agriculture
- Sewer connection application form obtained from Sanitary Engineering Planning & Projects Directorate (SEPPD)
Time and cost: 30 days, BHD 150
