Obtain proof of ownership of the land
Agency: Domaine Urbain or Conservation Foncière
Only about 30% of landowners have a property title.
Time and cost: 10 days, XOF 6,000
Obtain technical file from authorized land surveyor
Agency: Authorized Land Surveyor
In an urban zone, the cost for the technical dossier that will be used to produce six excerpts is fixed at FCFA 710,000.00 by the Order of Land Surveyors. The land surface is taken into account in rural areas.
Time and cost: 7 days, XOF 125,000
Obtain a geotechnical study
Agency: LABOGEM
BuildCo will request a soil test for the structural calculations for the foundation. The topographical survey is provided for this test.
Time and cost: 25 days, XOF 900,000
Obtain approval of the topographical survey by all agencies at the GUPC and the Urban Planning Certificate
Agency: Guichet Unique du Permis de Construire (GUPC)
The One-stop shop (Guichet Unique du Permis de Construire) is now fully functional. All services are represented on the premises. BuildCo must submit several copies of the topographical survey to obtain the VISA from wastewater, Sanitation and planning Department, Urban Department and Land Registry administration, Water Authority (SODECI) and Electricity Authority (CIE). In addition, the Urban planning certificate is also obtained at the same time.
Several copies of the topographical survey must be submitted to obtain the different VISAs.
Time and cost: 10 days, XOF 21,000
Obtain “notice securité incendie” from the Office National de la Protection Civile
Agency: Office National de la Protection Civile
Office Nationale de la Protection Civile (ONPC) gives its opinion on the safety rules. The firefighters will certify that all safety standards were respected. A report is the issued by the firefighters and if necessary the architect adjusts plans based on the firefighters report. Normally, this is done only for large buildings, but a warehouse falls into the category that requires the certificate.
Time and cost: 10 days, no charge
Register project with the Order of Architects
Agency: Ordre National des Architectes
The architect who designed the plans will register these plans with the National Order of the Architects. It is one way of certifying that the plans were completed by a licensed architect.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Hire a bureau de controle technique
Agency: Private firm
According to Article 21 of Decree Nº2016-49 dated February 10, 2016, for Class IV buildings – such as the Doing Business warehouse in the case study assumptions – it is mandatory to hire an independent firm to supervise and conduct inspections during construction. This private firm will be held liable for any defaults in construction.
Time and cost: 1 day, XOF 1,142,693
Obtain building permit
Agency: Local Municipality (SGUFH – Service du Guichet Unique du Foncier et de l’Habitat)
The dossier required to obtain a building permit includes the following documents:
- Block plan (scale,1/500, 1/200, 1/100)
- Execution plan (scale 1/50)
- Summary of technical specifications
- Summary of cost estimates
- Proof of property ownership
- Written approval from the Minister of Urban Planning
Six copies of the dossier must be sent to the Building Permit Commission. The Commission is comprised of the Construction Minister, a representative of the Municipality, a representative of the Civil Protection Department, a representative from the Hygiene Department, and a representative from the Order of Architects. The building permit is obtained within 3 months on average if one does not pay bribes. Two weeks after submission, the dossier is sent to the Municipality, where the permit fee is paid.
If the total surface is less than 120 sq.m. and the estimated cost of construction is less than FCFA 30 million, there is no need to have the architectural plans designed by an architect, both conditions must be met. However, for any building with a total surface of more than 120 sq.m. or the estimate cost of construction is higher than FCFA 30 million, the plans must be drawn by an architect.
Time and cost: 30 days, XOF 50,000
Receive random inspection to verify that a building permit has been issued
Agency: Brigade de Contrôle d’Investigation du Ministère de la Construction
The Brigade de Contrôle d’Investigation du Ministère de la Construction will inspect the construction site to first verify if a building permit was issued.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection during construction – II
Agency: Brigade de Contrôle d’Investigation du Ministère de la Construction
In general the Brigade de Contrôle d’Investigation du Ministère de la Construction will inspect the construction site several times during the construction phase (generally about once every 3 weeks). This inspection is only to check if the permit has been issued and it is not a technical inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection during construction – III
Agency: Brigade de Contrôle d’Investigation du Ministère de la Construction
This inspection is only to check if the permit has been issued. It is not a technical inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection during construction – IV
Agency: Brigade de Contrôle d’Investigation du Ministère de la Construction
This inspection is only to check if the permit has been issued. It is not a technical inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection from Services du District d’Abidjan
Agency: Services du District d’Abidjan
The Services du District d’Abidjan is responsible for all of Abidjan and will inspect any construction site, even if it has not issued the building permit for this particular project. This inspection is only to check if the permit has been issued. It is not a technical inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive random inspection from Services de la Municipalité
Agency: Services de la Municipalité
The technical services of the Municipality will randomly inspect the construction site. This inspection is only to check if the permit has been issued. It is not a technical inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection from the National Security Commission to verify that the building conforms to security standards
Agency: National Security Commission
The fire safety inspections are unannounced. The National Security Committee will visit the warehouse to ensure that fire safety standards have been met.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request certificate of conformity
Agency: Ministère de la Construction
The request to obtain a certificate of conformity is done at the Ministry of Construction and the following documents must be submitted:
- Application form
- Approval of the building permit
- Authenticated plans
- Different visas
The cost of the certificate of conformity is XOF 25,000 + XOF 1,000 for the cardboard folders.
Time and cost: 1 day, XOF 26,000
Receive inspection to verify the building was built according to approved plans
Agency: Ministère de la Construction
The technical services division of the Ministry of Construction will inspect the warehouse after construction is complete to verify that the warehouse has been built in compliance with the approved plans and in conformity with existing regulations. This inspection is required by law. If no issues are found, the ‘proces verbal’ will be written and the certificate of conformity is sent to the Minister for his signature.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain certificate of conformity
Agency: Ministry of Construction and Urban Planning (Ministère de la Construction et de l’Urbanisme
Time and cost: 73 days, no charge
Request water connection
Agency: SODECI
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive site inspection by water company
Agency: SODECI
The inspection takes place within a week of applying for water. The cost estimate is given a few days after the inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water connection
Agency: SODECI
It takes 7 days to obtain the connection once the payment is made. The total time from the time of application to the time of final connection may take up to one month if no preliminary installation was made. The water service agency is generally efficient, and the connection can be obtained quickly.
Time and cost: 14 days, XOF 130,000
Build septic tank
Agency: Private firm
Time and cost: 14 days, XOF 300,000
