Request and obtain approval from the Inspector of Factories
Agency: Inspector of Factories
Before an application for approval of building plans can be submitted to the local authority, approval must first be obtained from the Inspector of Factories. This is a separate application and carries its own application fee, established by the Inspector. The approval period is not less than 30 days. The cost is 1% of the project value.
Time and cost: 30 days, USD 895
Request and obtain building plan approval by the Harare City Council
Agency: Harare City Council
BuildCo must submit the following documents at the same time: the building permit application, the application for the factories inspection, the TPD-1 form for the planning permit (only if needed which is not the case for the Doing Business case study), and the architects’ and structural engineers’ drawings and certificates to the relevant local authority for approvals, under the Regional, Town, and Country Planning Act and the model building bylaws. The application must be accompanied by a completed set of plans for the structure, prepared by a qualified draftsman or architect.
The application is circulated for approval to all departments, including the Department of Works, Highways and Works, Chemical Laboratory and Trade Waste, City Planning, Water and Sewerage, Land Survey, Traffic Engineering, Valuation and Estates, Department of Health, Department of Fire, Department of Housing and Community Services, and Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA).
Each agency contacts the applicant directly for clarification or rectification, if required. Once all agencies have accepted the plans, the Chief Building Inspector makes a final assessment and issues an approval of building plans to the applicant. The form contains a commencement of work notice that must be submitted by the applicant once the footings are ready for inspection. Subsequently, all phases of the construction must be approved by the Building Inspectorate.
Procedural and approval costs are either 1% or 1.75% of the construction cost, but this varies from one authority to another. The time required for the entire procedure depends on the local authority; in Harare, it is usually not less than 6 months and can be up to a year.
Because the approval cost is based on a percentage of the total construction cost, a certain amount is paid based on the estimated cost. However, the local authority may ask for the difference between the estimate and the actual cost at the end of the project (a common requirement). The cost of completion depends on whether the developer is prepared to fund the pre-purchase option. In addition, many developers close an insurance bond with the building contractor on the value of the construction materials.
Should construction works commence prior to the approval of the building plans the local authority now imposes a “Regularisation Fee”, or fine, of US$ 5,000.
Time and cost: 30 days, USD 7,966
Request and receive inspection from Building Inspectorate upon completion of foundation
Agency: Building Inspectorate
Delays frequently occur because the City of Harare inspectors cannot get transportation to inspect a site. Even if offered a lift to the site by the contractor or consultant, the inspectors are not allowed to accept it because they are not insured for travel provided by a third party.
Theoretically, inspections are conducted once a month. A final inspection will occur only if specifically requested (but is required for obtaining the occupancy permit). Theoretically, the builder must stop construction until the inspection is conducted, but doing so is impractical. The City of Harare inspectors generally allow a structural engineer to cover the inspections of foundations. In practice, since 2007 due to lack of fuel and means of transportation, inspections are no longer conducted. Companies use their own engineers for inspections during construction.
Time and cost: 30 days, no charge
Inform the Building Inspectorate of the completion of drainage installation
Agency: Building Inspectorate
The officially required inspection almost never happens unless the fuel is provided for transportation.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive inspection from the Building Inspectorate upon completion of structure
Agency: Building Inspectorate
As of 2007, inspections are undertaken by the Chief Building Inspector and a deputy inspector. This change, implemented after allegations that the lower officers were requesting facilitation payments, has caused the time required for this inspection to increase.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Request and receive inspection by the Building Inspectorate upon completion of construction
Agency: Building Inspectorate
Inspectors will visit the site only if there is fuel for vehicles, or the applicant provides transportation. Once the inspection has taken place, a protocol is written, which generally takes 30 days.
Time and cost: 30 days, no charge
Request and obtain water and sewage connection from Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA)
Agency: Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA)
In 2007, municipal water supplies have been taken over by a new authority, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). Obtaining a new connection now requires proof of ownership of the stand and account clearance on any other water billing and is undertaken by the developer (in this case BuildCo) or its agents.
Separate applications are made by the construction company for water and sewerage connections. There may be an additional charge for this determined by the local authority.
BuildCo completes and lodges an application for a “new water connection and supply” form, available at the Water and Sewerage Branch of ZINWA. In addition to the form, BuildCo must provide the following:
- A letter of commitment addressed to the Director of Works stating BuildCo’s intention to proceed with a connection;
- A statement of the quality of water required, to determine the appropriate pipe size and meter needed.
The branch will issue the applicant a T.W. number and notate the application form. A receipt for the application specifying the fees to be paid is issued. Fees come in two parts, a supply deposit and a connection fee, and would be USD 626.00.
The applicant must take the notated application form and the receipt to the City Treasury Office, pay the required fees, and have the branch receipt machine-endorsed with the payment.
The cost depends on the type of water supply required. The applicant must purchase the water meter; ZINWA are no longer able to supply water meters. Application, connection fee, and account deposit amount to USD 1,764.00 for a 25-milimeter connection. There is no charge for the application, but there is an upfront charge before the connection is made.
The embossed receipt and the application form are returned to the branch, which requests that a job number be issued by the Costing Office. The branch then issues a Location Advice internally for the work to be undertaken. The applicant is required to complete an Installation of Water Service form indicating the site of the connection.
Where fire hose reels on site are required (a requirement under the building bylaws for any industrial/warehouse building exceeding 400 sq. m. in floor area), a 2-inch (50mm) water meter is required.
Time and cost: 1 day, USD 2,390
Request occupancy certificate
Agency: Local Authority
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive inspection from the local Fire Department on fire equipment installation for occupancy certificate
Agency: Fire Department and Building Inspectorate
Approval by the Fire Department is required to obtain an occupancy permit. Inspections are made by appointment only. At least one week’s notice is required most of the time. The same issues as with other inspections apply (no transportation, long delay). Therefore, in practice, the architect or draftsman picks up the inspector and brings the inspector to the site. Otherwise, it might take weeks before the inspector visits the site.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Obtain occupancy certificate
Agency: Local Authority
An occupancy certificate is issued by the local authority once the project is complete and inspected by the Fire Department and the Building Inspector.
Time and cost: 35 days, no charge
