Request and obtain official copy of site plan from the Ministry of Land
Agency: Ministry of Land
Depending on the location of the land, obtaining a site plan may take as long as one year (if the project is outside Nuku’alofa).
Time and cost: 3 days, TOP 16
Request and obtain building permit
Agency: Ministry of Infrastructure
A new building code has been partially introduced. Since August 2005, in practice, BuildCo submits all plans for approval to the Ministry of Infrastructure. BuildCo must submit 3 sets of drawing (the specifications are provided in the law). One copy will be distributed to each department at the same time for approval:
- Fire Services Department – checking for safety regulations
- With the implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment 2010 – BuildCo must submit Form 1 for Assessment.
- Ministry of Health – checking the septic tank, whether it is the Ministry of Infrastructure’s standard septic tank. Normally all architects have the standard specifications and the check list.
Once approved by the various departments, the plans are sent back to the Ministry of Infrastructure for final approval.
The time it takes to obtain the approval depends on the persistence of BuildCo in following up. The official time limit is 21 working days (under Article 11 – Issue of a Building Permit – Building Control and Standards Regulations 2005) or 30 calendar days:
- The Ministry of Infrastructure has 10 working days to verify the sets of plans and forward all the documents to the relevant departments.
- All 3 departments have 10 working days to provide their response.
- The Ministry of Infrastructure has 1 working day to issue the permit.
Time and cost: 30 days, TOP 7,163
Pay registration fees for the environmental assessment Form 1 at the Lands Office
Agency: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications
Once the building permit is obtained, BuildCo must pay for Form 1 for the Environmental Assessment at the Lands Office. The building permit and Form 1 must be submitted at time of payment. The officer at the Lands office will verify that the building permit has been issued and that Form 1 was properly assessed.
Time and cost: 1 day, TOP 10
Submit Form1 and the Building permit to the Environmental Unit
Agency: Ministry of Lands, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources
According to Schedule 1 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2010, the environmental unit will assess if the warehouse will require a full Environmental Impact Assessment or a simple assessment. If no EIA is not needed, the Environmental Unit will issue Form 2 so that Build Co can proceed with the construction.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Request and receive foundation inspection from the Ministry of Infrastructure
Agency: Ministry of Infrastructure
According to Article 19 of the Building Control and Standards Act 2002- Sectioni 19 – BuildCo must inform the Ministry of Infrastructure of the various stages completed and request an inspections (foundations, walls, pouring of concrete, etc). In practice, there may be about three inspections or none. The inspections must be requested but this can be done over the telephone.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive inspection prior to pouring of concrete
Agency: Ministry of Infrastructure
BuildCo must request the inspection 36 hours prior to the date (under Article 19 of the Building Control and Standards Regulations 2005). This can be done by phone, email or in person.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive inspection of framing material
Agency: Ministry of Infrastructure
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive inspection of plumbing and sanitary work
Agency: Ministry of Infrastructure
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request water connection
Agency: Tonga Water Board
Responsibility for water supply, distribution operation and maintenance in urban areas is that of the Tonga Water Board (TWB). New water connections are requested in writing at the office of TWB and submissions are reviewed by an engineer.
Time and cost: 1 day, TOP 900
Receive site inspection for water connection
Agency: Tonga Water Board
A TNB engineer will inspect the construction project to review the water and sewerage connection requirements.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water connection
Agency: Tonga Water Board
A water meter is installed by TNB approximately three to four weeks after the request is made. The owner or contractor is responsible for all works required for the new water connection.
Time and cost: 21 days, no charge
Build a Septic Tank
Agency: Private Contractor
Tonga is a low lying country with no sewerage system. The Ministry of Infrastructure mandates that all commercial and industrial new buildings install a septic tank and has standard depth norms. The most common septic tanks consist of a reinforced concrete base and reinforced block works walls with a waterproof membrane applied to the outside. The Waste Authority Tonga, as well as one private contractor, have a pumping service and a specialized drying bed system treatment plant to take care of the sewage.
Time and cost: 14 days, TOP 19,459
Request and receive final inspection
Agency: Ministry of Infrastructure
According to Article 22 of the Building Control and Standards Act 2002, the builder will inform the Building Comptroller of the MOW either by phone, email or in person. A date for the inspection is proposed by the builder. The inspector will come on the premises and do the final inspection.
Time and cost: 5 days, no charge
Receive certificate of completion
Agency: Ministry of Infrastructure
Two days after the final inspection, the Ministry of Infrastructure will issue the certificate of completion.
Time and cost: 2 days, no charge
