Verify with the Town Planning Department if the land is in the appropriate zoning area
Agency: Town Planning Department of the City of Windhoek
A computerized system stores the use of every piece of land and is accessible by all agencies. The check can be conducted either on the telephone or in person.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and obtain results of geo-technical study
Agency: Private companies
While a soil test is not specifically provided for in the Building regulations, in practice professionals will request a soil test before designing the foundation plans.
Time and cost: 25 days, NAD 50,000
Request and obtain a topographic survey of the land plot
Agency: Private land surveying companies
A topographic map is not a legal requirement to obtain a building permit. However, in practice it is needed by the professionals to design the building plans.
Time and cost: 7 days, NAD 10,000
Obtain clearance from the Electrical Department
Agency: Electrical Department of the City of Windhoek
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain clearance from the Department of Infrastructure, Water and Wastewater Management
Agency: Department of Infrastructure, Water and Wastewater Management of the City of Windhoek
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request a building permit from the Building Control Division of the City of Windhoek
Agency: Building Control Division of the City of Windhoek
The application should be accompanied by the architectural plans. BuildCo submits all the information to the Building Control Division. This division then forwards the information to the relevant agencies — to the departments of fire and safety, architecture, road planning (storm water and transportation policy), town planning (to comply with the maximum land coverage requirements), health (ventilation, windows, and air), roads construction, and water and sewerage. Each agency stamps the architectural plans to indicate that they are cleared.
In practice, the applicant goes to the Building Control Division only. Additional documents may be requested. If done in person, approvals could be received within 4 days.
The applicant receives a building permit and one stamped copy of the architectural plans.
For complex projects it is common to hold informal consultations with the approving authorities to make sure that the architectural plans are in order prior to the formal submission of the building permit application.
According to the fee schedule, for a 1,300.6 sq. m. building BuildCo would qualify into category “Buildings exceeding 1,000 sq. m. but not exceeding 2000 sq. m. and comprising less than three floors”. The base tariff is NAD 11,000.00.
Time and cost: 60 days, NAD 14,667
Request and receive inspection to pass foundations
Agency: Building Control Division of the City of Windhoek
There are phased inspections in Windhoek. Upon obtaining the building permit BuildCo will receive a schedule of inspections. Notification is done on special forms; however it can be done via fax. The inspector conducts the inspection on the same day or the following day. Upon concluding the inspection, the inspector signs the notice. BuildCo keeps it as proof that the inspection took place.
Time and cost: 2 days, NAD 200
Request and receive inspection to pass damp-proof course (DPC)
Agency: Building Control Division of the City of Windhoek
There are phased inspections in Windhoek. Upon obtaining the building permit BuildCo will receive a schedule of inspections. Notification is done on special forms; however it can be done via fax. The inspector conducts the inspection on the same day or the following day. Upon concluding the inspection, the inspector signs the notice. BuildCo keeps it as proof that the inspection took place.
Time and cost: 2 days, NAD 200
Request and receive open sewer inspection
Agency: Building Control Division of the City of Windhoek
There are phased inspections in Windhoek. Upon obtaining the building permit BuildCo will receive a schedule of inspections. Notification is done on special forms; however it can be done via fax. The inspector conducts the inspection on the same day or the following day. Upon concluding the inspection, the inspector signs the notice. BuildCo keeps it as proof that the inspection took place. After this inspection, there can be an inspection on drains when they are ready for the final inspection.
Time and cost: 2 days, NAD 200
Request and receive water connection
Agency: Department of Infrastructure, Water and Wastewater Management of the City of Windhoek
The request for water connection is made at the Department of Infrastructure, Water & Waste Water Management. Usually there is no inspection required, unless the location of the building is in an area where is no service readily available.
Time and cost: 60 days, NAD 2,970
Receive final inspection by the Building Control Division
Agency: Building Control Division of the City of Windhoek
When BuildCo is ready to receive the final inspection, it submits a notice of completion of the building. Upon concluding the inspection, the inspector signs the notice. BuildCo keeps it as proof that the inspection took place.
Time and cost: 1 day, NAD 200
Obtain completion certificate
Agency: City of Windhoek
The completion certificate is issued within one week after the final inspection. BuildCo collects it from the City of Windhoek.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
