Request and obtain preliminary environmental assessment
Agency: Department of Environmental Protection & Conservation (DEPC)
According to the Law on Environment published in the Official Gazette on August 13, 2011, it is mandatory to obtain a preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA) conducted by the Department of Environmental Protection & Conservation (DEPC). If no full EIA is required, an approval may be granted with conditions. This is a requirement prior to having all other departments involved in clearing the permit application.
Time and cost: 15 days, VUV 20,000
Request building permit and pay application fee
Agency: Town Planning and Building Division
BuildCo must submit the plans and specifications along with a copy of the lease title (as urban land in Vanuatu belongs to the government). During this process, the approval from 5 departments will be needed:
- Public Works Department
- Department of Land, Survey and Registry
- Geology and Mines Department
- Fire Department
- Physical Planning Department – located in the Municipality
The following documents must be submitted to these agencies:
- Floor plan
- Elevation plan
- Cross section plan
- Detail plan of ring beam and roof structure – details of next floor must also be provided since this building has one ground floor and 1 level
- Services layout plan (electricity, plumbing lines, power point)
- Septic tank Plan
- Site plan
- Location plan
- Copy of survey plan
- Copy of front page of lease document
The application fee is a fixed fee of VUV 10,000.00.
Time and cost: 1 day, VUV 10,000
Obtain approval from the Public Works Department
Agency: Public Works Department
This is the office that would verify the safety of the building. Plans are checked.
Time and cost: 5 days, no charge
Obtain approval from the Department of Land, Survey and Registry
Agency: Department of Land, Survey & Registry
This office will check that the land lease fees have paid and that the lease type and location are accurate.
Time and cost: 3 days, no charge
Obtain approval from the Geology and Mines Department
Agency: Geology and Mines Department
This office will check whether the soil is suitable for construction based solely on the location of the intended building.
Time and cost: 2 days, no charge
Obtain approval from the Physical Planning Department
Agency: Physical Planning department
Time and cost: 2 days, no charge
Obtain approval from the Fire Department
Agency: Fire Department
This office will check the fire safety requirements of the building.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Pay building permit fee and obtain building permit
Agency: Town Planning and Building Division
Payment for the construction permit itself is made when the Town Council has approved the permit. The Town Council will meet only if there are more than 10 applications for approval.
The fee for a construction permit is VUV 875.00 per sq. m. for commercial or industrial constructions.
Time and cost: 90 days, VUV 1,138,025
Notify the Town Planning and Building Division of commencement of work
Agency: Town Planning and Building Division
According to Article 14, Section 4 of the Building Act 2013, BuildCo must notify the Town Planning and Building Division about the intended commencement of work 7 days before starting construction.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive inspection for excavation for a foundation
Agency: Town Planning and Building Division
According to Article 14, Section 4 (b) (i) of the BuildingAct 2013, the builder or his representative must notify the Town Planning and Building Division 7 days before the intended covering up of the excavation for foundation.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and obtain connection to water services from UNELCO
Agency: UNELCO Vanuatu Ltd.
UNELCO is the sole provider of water and electricity and all requests for connection must be made in person.
Time and cost: 7 days, VUV 25,000
Build a Septic Tank
Agency: Private Contractor
There is no public sewerage system in Vanuatu. Sanitation arrangements are the responsibility of the construction company and owner and usually consists of an on-site waste treatment consisting of a single septic tank with soak pit for each single-occupancy lot or shared septic tanks and percolation trench arrangements serving multiple units.
Time and cost: 6 days, VUV 325,000
Request certificate of completion from Town Planning and Building Division (Port Vila Municipality)
Agency: Town Planning and Building Division
Time and cost: 1 day, VUV 13,000
Receive inspection from Town Planning and Building Division (Port Vila Municipality)
Agency: Town Planning and Building Division
The Town Planning Unit, Port Vila Municipality would issue a certificate of completion upon performing an inspection. A VUV 13,000.00 fee must be paid for this certificate.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain completion certificate
Agency: Town Planning and Building Division
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
