Obtain a Soil Test report
Agency: National laboratory (LNBTP)
Soil investigation helps to determine the properties of soil, which can vary from place to place even within a small area. The soil investigation help to determine the bearing capacity of the soil which helps to determine the load capability of the soil. It also help determining the type and depth of foundation, to select suitable construction technique. While a soil test is not required by law, it is done in practice particularly because the soil in Central African Republic is clay.
The soil test has to be obtained prior to designing the plans of the project.
Time and cost: 19 days, XAF 1,500,000
Request and obtain a building permit
Agency: Urban Planning Authority (Direction de l’Urbanisme), Building Permit Service
The application file is transmitted to the following agencies for review and approval:
- Urban Planning Authority (Direction de L’Urbanisme), for assurance of compliance with urban planning regulations;
- Cadastral Office, for review of the cadastral excerpts;
- Municipal Public Roads Office (Service de Voirie), for water supply and sanitary conditions;
- Land Registry (Direction des Domaines), for the verification of property registration.
In practice, a commission (with a representative from each agency) meets to review the file at the same time. If the architect is diligent and closely follows up on the application status, the permit can be obtained in 30 days. By law, the official deadline is 30 days. Once the 30 days have passed, BuildCo requests a provisional authorization while awaiting the Ministry of Housing (Ministre de l’Habitat) decree that grants the building permit.
Time and cost: 90 days, XAF 209,200
Request and receive a provisional authorization upon expiration of the 30-day deadline
Agency: Urban Planning Authority (Direction de l’Urbanisme), Building Permit Service
Time and cost: 20 days, no charge
Request an inspection of earthwork from the Urban Planning Authority
Agency: Urban Planning Authority (Direction de l’Urbanisme), Building Permit Service
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection of earthwork
Agency: Urban Planning Authority (Direction de l’Urbanisme), Building Permit Service
The inspection takes place within a week of notification.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request an inspection of foundation work from the Urban Planning Authority
Agency: Urban Planning Authority (Direction de l’Urbanisme), Building Permit Service
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive foundation inspection and obtain clearance to continue with construction
Agency: Urban Planning Authority (Direction de l’Urbanisme), Building Permit Service
The inspection takes place within a week of notification.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Request an inspection of concrete work from the Urban Planning Authority
Agency: Urban Planning Authority (Direction de l’Urbanisme), Building Permit Service
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection of concrete work and obtain clearance to continue with construction
Agency: Urban Planning Authority (Direction de l’Urbanisme), Building Permit Service
Time and cost: 21 days, no charge
Receive labor inspection
Agency: Labor Ministry
In principle, the labor inspector may visit the site at any time. In practice, BuildCo may be inspected twice.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive a second labor inspection
Agency: Labor Ministry
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive final inspection upon completion of construction
Agency: Building Permit Commission
After the construction is done, BuildCo will request and receive the final inspection to verify the construction has been done in compliance with the plans.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request water connection
Agency: Société de Distribution d’Eaux en Centrafrique (SODECA)
Time and cost: 1 day, XAF 4,060
Receive on-site visit for water cost estimate
Agency: Société de Distribution d’Eaux en Centrafrique (SODECA)
Upon submitting the application dossier, the applicant arranges for an on-site visit to take measurements, establish the technical specifications, and estimate the cost. The cost estimate is provided to the client 2 days later.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water connection
Agency: Société de Distribution d’Eaux en Centrafrique (SODECA)
Payment occurs after the cost estimate, and the connection follows immediately. If the applicant does not follow up on the application, obtaining the connection and service may take up to 3 months.
Time and cost: 73 days, XAF 188,210
Build septic tank
Agency: Private firm
BuildCo is required to build a septic tank due to the lack of a sewerage network.
Time and cost: 18 days, XAF 1,400,000
Obtain inspection certificate
Agency: Building Permit Commission
Time and cost: 37 days, no charge
