Obtain a site plan from the Department of Surveys and Maps
Agency: Department of Surveys and Maps
Before submitting the project brief to the Department of Environmental Affairs, BuildCo must obtain a site plan from the Department of Surveys and Maps.
Time and cost: 1 day, BWP 2
Obtain geotechnical study/soil test results
Agency: Private Firm
According to Art. 33 of the Building Control: Subsidiary Legislation (CHAPTER 65:02 – ) a soil test is needed for the foundation of any building.
Time and cost: 12 days, BWP 4,500
Submit project brief to Department of Environmental Affairs
Agency: Department of Environmental Affairs
Prior to 2011, all developers were required to undergo a Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA). However, after the adoption of the Environmental Assessment Act of 2011 and Environmental Assessment Regulations of 2012, BuildCo must only submit a project brief. Based on the project brief, the Department can screen a project and decide whether the project should (1) be allowed to proceed without being subjected to a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment, (2) require a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Study prior to project implementation, or (3) develop an Environmental Management Plan prior to project implementation.
Time and cost: 7 days, BWP 10
Apply for sewage connection
Agency: Water Utilities Corporation
Before construction starts, the City Council must approve the sewage connection. The investor must visit the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) in person. When the investor comes to WUC, the investor is given forms to fill out, which is done on the spot. The investor must also bring detailed plans, showing where the connection will be made. The representatives of WUC examine the plans and filled out forms, and approve the plans on the spot. If the plans are not in order, then the approval is denied and the investor must return when the plans are in compliance with regulations.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive site inspection for sewage connection
Agency: Water Utilities Corporation
After the investor applies for a sewage connection, a representative from the Water Utilities Corporation comes out to inspect the building site to verify that the building plans approved in the application procedure correspond to the actual construction site. The inspection occurs after the sewage connection application has been approved.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain a planning permit from Gaborone City Council
Agency: Gaborone City Council
BuildCo needs to obtain a planning permit before applying for a building permit. Gaborone City Council approval is required to obtain a planning and building permit. The council examines the drawings and pays a site visit to ensure compliance with regulations and restrictions on health, sewer, fire, building, and planning.
A certified copy of the title deed is also required. There are no restrictions on how recent the copy of the deed should be. It is assumed the BuildCo already owns the land that it intends to build on.
A permit is valid for 24 months from the date of issue. If work has not started within that period, the permit will no longer be valid. However, if a written application for an extension is submitted, the validity of the permit can be extended for another 12 months.
Time and cost: 30 days, BWP 1,000
Obtain a building permit from Gaborone City Council
Agency: Gaborone City Council
BuildCo needs to apply for planning permission and only when the planning permit is at hand will the application for building permission be initiated. The procedures are done separately with planning preceding building. This is not however applicable for single family residential building applications where both planning and building applications are done at the same time.
It takes about a month for a planning permit and another month for a building permit.
Time and cost: 30 days, BWP 2,000
Notify the Gaborone City Council of commencement of work
Agency: Gaborone City Council
According to Article 14 of the Building Control Regulations, it is mandatory for the builder to inform the City Council three (3) days in writing of the commencement of work
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive setting out and excavation inspection from Gaborone City Council
Agency: Gaborone City Council
Once construction works have begun, a written notice no less than three working days (excluding Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday) in advance should be given for each mandatory inspection.
The Gaborone City Council only inspects two stages that is, setting out and excavation and does the final inspection. For inspections in between these two stages, the owner is supposed to utilize the services of its in-house qualified and registered engineering professional to inspect and produce reports, which together with indemnity would then be submitted to Gaborone City Council for final perusal during the final inspection stage.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive labor inspection from Department of Labor
Agency: Department of Labor
The Department of Labor Conducts ongoing inspections to check the site workers’ work permit documentation to ensure they are not undocumented illegal immigrants. Construction must stop if sanitary or safety standards are found to be below the required standards and if illegal workers are found on site.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection from Department of Health and Safety Standards – I
Agency: Department of Health and Safety Standards
The Department of Health and Safety Standards conducts ongoing inspections to check health and safety standards on the construction site. Construction must stop if sanitary or safety standards are found to be below the required standards.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection from Department of Health and Safety Standards – II
Agency: Department of Health and Safety Standards
The Department of Health and Safety Standards conducts ongoing inspections to check health and safety standards on the construction site. Construction must stop if sanitary or safety standards are found to be below the required standards.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Notify the Gaborone City Council of the completion of the building
Agency: Gaborone City Council
BuildCo must submit a written notice to the Gaborone City Council not more than seven days after the completion of building work.
In addition, BuildCo’s in-house engineer should submit reports, along with indemnity, to Gaborone City Council for final perusal during the final inspection stage.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive final inspection
Agency: Gaborone City Council
According to Article 17 of the Building Control Regulations, no building may be occupied without a final inspection and the issuance of an occupancy certificate.
An in-house engineer must submit a report of structural quality inspections for final perusal during the final inspection stage.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water and sewage connection from Water Utilities Corporation
Agency: Water Utilities Corporation
Once the final inspection has been completed, representatives of the Water Utilities Corporation come out to inspect the site and to connect water and sewage systems.
Time and cost: 21 days, BWP 6,900
Obtain occupation permit
Agency: Gaborone City Council
This document allows BuildCo to occupy the building upon completion.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
