Obtain a geotechnical study / soil test
Agency: Private laboratory
A soil test is required prior to starting construction, and is obtained by BuildCo from a private laboratory.
Time and cost: 15 days, ETB 9,972
Obtain planning consent
Agency: Municipality (Subcity Building Design Department)
According to Part 2, Section 5, Articles 1 and 2 of Building Proclamation No. 624 of 2009, the applicant must secure a planning consent prior to submitting the application for a construction permit. After having received an application for a planning consent a building officer shall grant a written declaration for compliance or noncompliance with the urban planning of the urban center.
In order to apply for a planning consent, according to Part 2, Section 4 of Regulation No. 243 of 2011, the owner of a building shall fill the form prepared by the urban administration by showing the height and the type of service of the building to be constructed and submit his application attached with the original and a copy of the title deed in order to obtain a planning consent.
The urban administration shall, in case of a request for planning consent to build a new building, grant: Title deed and plan information describing the height and the permitted type of service.
The building officer will also determine the category of buildings submitted for his approval in accordance with the criteria set within the regulations. For the Doing Business case study, the warehouse would fall under Category B.
The building officer shall decide the compliance or non- compliance of the application with the urban center and notify the applicant his decision and the reasons thereto, in writing, within three working days.
With respect to the fees, according to Part 4, Section 24, Articles 2 and 4 of Regulation No. 243 of 2011, there is a service fee of ETB 300 for the planning consent. And the plan review fee is 1/2000 of the project estimate if the project estimate is less than ETB 2,500,000.
Time and cost: 3 days, ETB 799
Obtain consent from neighbors and submit it to the Municipality
Agency: Municipality (Subcity)
Once the consent has been obtained, BuildCo must obtain a written statement from the neighbors, stating that there are no land disputes on the plot where the warehouse will be built. This is set in the law – Part 2, Section 3, Articles 2 and 3 of Regulation No. 243 of 2011,
Time and cost: 3 days, no charge
Obtain approval of plans and construction permit
Agency: Municipality
The following documents must be submitted in order to obtain the construction approval:
- Application with full name and address of the applicant,
- Permitted service for the building,
- Location of construction,
- Table showing the total area of the floors,
- Planning consent,
- Architectural, structural, sanitary, electrical designs and soil test and structural analysis report for buildings of Category “B”,
- In addition to the plans required for buildings of Category “B”, fire safety plans and descriptions thereof shall be submitted for buildings of Category “C”,
- Electro-mechanical designs and analysis for buildings using lifts and artificial ventilation (not applicable to the Doing Business case study)
- Number of floors of neighboring buildings below and above ground level and their distance from the boundary lines,
- Full name, address, signature and a copy of registration certificate of professionals who prepared plan of the building,
- Consent from neighbors.
According to Part 2, Section 6, Article 1 of Regulation No. 243 of 2011, the time limit to review and approve the plans is 7 working days if the building is Category B or 21 working days if Category C.
With respect to the fees, according to Part 4, Section 25 of Regulation No. 243 of 2011, the plan approval fee is 10% of the plan review fee.
Time and cost: 30 days, ETB 80
Hire an external firm to conduct technical inspections and supervision during construction
Agency: Private Firm
According to Council of Ministers Building Regulation, Regulation No 243./2011, a private and independent civil engineer must be hired to conduct the technical inspection and supervision of construction. The rate of civil engineer depends on the type of engineer and they receive a monthly pay.
For the Doing Business case study, the construction is expected to last 7 months.
Time and cost: 1 day, ETB 105,000
Notify the Municipality of the commencement of works
Agency: Municipality
According to Article 13 of Building Regulations 243 of 2011, Any person who has an approved plan for category B and C buildings shall notify to the building officer , in writing , the starting date of each stage of work before five working days of such starting date. The warehouse in the Doing Business case study is considered a category B.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive inspection upon completion of foundation
Agency: Municipality
According to Part 2, Section 13 of Regulation No. 243 of 2011, any person who has an approved plan for category “B” and “C” buildings shall notify to the building officer, in writing, the starting date of each stage of work before five working days of such starting date.
The stages of work for which an advance notice is required in case of new construction shall be in the following order:
- On completion of surveying work for the foundation;
- Before starting concrete cast for grade beam;
- Before starting floor concrete works at all levels;
- Before starting final concrete works;
- During testing of completed sanitary, electrical and electro mechanical installations;
- Other stages of work required by the building officer based on the type and method of construction.
Normally the Municipality will come to inspect during the first 4 phases noted above. The inspectors are usually very prompt, and if the builder times it well, there is no delay caused by inspections. The construction manager keeps a site book, and the inspector signs in the site book at every inspection.
With respect to the fees, according to Part 4, Section 26, Article 2 of Regulation No. 243 of 2011, the inspection fees per inspection is ETB 400
Time and cost: 2 days, ETB 400
Request and receive inspection before starting concrete cast for grade beam
Agency: Municipality
Time and cost: 2 days, ETB 400
Request and receive inspection before starting floor concrete works
Agency: Municipality
Time and cost: 2 days, ETB 400
Request and receive inspection before starting final concrete works
Agency: Municipality
Time and cost: 2 days, ETB 400
Obtain final inspection from Municipality
Agency: Municipality
On April 10, 2019, the Addis Ababa City Administration Construction Permit Bureau improved quality control after construction by issuing a directive that clearly mandates the need to undergo a final inspection by inspection officers from the Bureau before issuing an occupancy permit. The inspection is conducted by physically visiting the site and reviewing the plan and checklist prepared by the Bureau for final inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request water and sewage connection from WSSA
Agency: Addis Ababa Water Supply and Sewage Authority (WSSA)
The request for a water and sewerage connection from Addis Ababa Water Supply and Sewerage Authority must be done in person. A copy of title deed of property must be attached to the application form. Usually, Addis Ababa WASA conducts a site visit to inspect the location of the property and to decide on the specifics of the connection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection for water and sewage
Agency: Addis Ababa Water Supply and Sewage Authority
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water and sewage connection from WSSA
Agency: Addis Ababa Water Supply and Sewage Authority (WSSA)
Time and cost: 75 days, ETB 8,000
Obtain occupancy permit
Agency: Municipality
As per Article 4, sub-article 11, any public building, despite its building category, must be inspected after completion of construction based on the criteria included on directive 2/2010 article 19 and approved plan. Occupancy permit will only be issued after inspection by authorities including physical visit.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
