Local Authority Approvals for Residential House construction in Nairobi.
In the last few years, Local Authorities around Nairobi, mainly Nairobi City Council, Kajiado County council, Mavoko County council, Ruiru,Kiambu and Thika councils have been very active in enforcing plan approval bye laws. This is a step ahead in order to stem the number of buildings collapsing and being constructed inappropriately. The downside is that in as much as the enforcement is necessary, the lethargy and bureaucracy in obtaining the approvals usually takes a toll on developers. The least possible time taken is 3 weeks.
The main hindrances are time wasting and inconveniences in transport to and from the council offices.
Approval process takes too long from application to obtaining the permit. Using online methods such as www.a4architect.com/2013/02/15/online-plan-approvals/ will shorten the time taken and save on transport costs to the councils.
Nairobi City Council has recently taken up online plan approval process. The other councils need to take cue and create online portals or use this portal here for free www.a4architect.com/2013/02/15/online-plan-approvals/.
Use of online plan approvals will make it easier for county governments to raise revenue since developers will be able to conveniently apply online. Currently, majority of buildings around Nairobi are constructed without the approvals mostly due to the inefficiency of the physical permit applications.
On average, most permanent buildings cost a minimum of KES 500,000 to construct. For these buildings to be constructed without approvals, this means that its not an issue of developers lacking the finances to apply for permits. Its an issue of developers weighing on the time wastage and inconveniences at the council offices as they seek the approvals.
Its high time county Governments created enabling environments for developers so as to maintain a win win situation whereby their revenue is increased and the developers adhere to the bye laws as required.This will go a long way in ensuring sustainable neighborhoods are created in line with the National/County physical planning policy.
Francis Gichuhi Kamau, Architect.
info@a4rchitect.com
0721410684
Comments
18 responses
I LIKE ONLINE APPROVAL AS YOU HAVE OUTLINED. WOULD MIND IF I INFORM KITUI COUNTY AND OTHER TO USE YOUR FREE PORTAL . I TOOK ME A HELL OF TIME LAST YEAR IN MAVOKO TO APPROVE AND IN KITUI THERE IS ALOT OF INEFFICIENCY AND INCONVINIENCE AND ALOT REVENUE LOST DUE TO WHEEL DEALING. THANK YOU FOR INNOVATION AND KEEP IT UP YOU HAVE WOULD BE DEVELOPERS AT HEART. LASTLY CAN I CONSTRUCT A SINGLE STOREY 3_4 BEDROOMED MUGUGA (macheo-) THIKA CHEAPLY IE 1M OR LESS HIGHLIGHT.
Hi Mwalili, Thanks. Feel free to inform Kitui council to use my portal. Its possible to construct with 1M. The design needs to be customised for efficiency in order to achieve such low costs. I can design it. I will need the site dimensions. Email to info@a4architect.com.
How much does it cost to get approval in Mavoko for a 3 bedroom residential single story house?
Hi A4A
I have a question on the kiambu county building code (kikuyu subcounty). After how does the approval expire? how much is the current renewal fee if any?
Kindly assist. I have put my email add for ease of response. Many thanks!
Hi Mwicigi, the approval expires after 24 months. Renewal fees will be determined by the planner at the point of resubmission of the drawings.
See sample approval here
@A4
Thanks Buddy now i can stop feeling conned by the kikuyu subcounty. Enjoy your Eid 🙂
i intend to construct own residential house 1floor at gatuanyaga thika.i have obtained all the necessary approvals and paid all the charges required .do i still require any other petmit grom nema or Nema
Please advice,
I intend to construct a simple mabati private residential house in Ruiru murera Kimbu , but will also elevate a stone perimeter wall.
How do I go about approval?.
Regards
i can design the building and submit it for approval for you. email me info@a4architect.com
Hi.. I got the approval in 2014.. I have a plot in syokimau.. How much does it cost to renew and how long will it take
Thanks
I want to build a one storey three bedroom maissonate on a 40 by 80 ft plot at Membley Ruiru. What are the requirements on
1. Plot coverage for ground floor
2. The ration
3. The nearest I can go the perimeter boarders. (offsets) takinG into account that the plot access is on the width to a 9 meter road.
I have been trying to have my building plans approved for the last six months in Thika and even paid all the application fees yet nothing has happened so far since every time we go to the planning office we find somebody who comes up with a different requirement. At one time somebody demanded that the building plans should dedicate the first two floors of the five floor proposed building to parking otherwise they would not be approved. I am really frustrated and is considering abandoning the how exercise and recover whatever I have already paid to the municipal. Advise how I should I go about recovering the over 130k approval fee?
we can redesign the building to fit within county government requirements for you.
I plan to construct a residential house in kahawa sukari. Kindly give me a list of approvals needed by the contractor
thanks arch Francis. I want to put up a 4 bedroom maissonate near Juja farm. what are the charges for designing and necessary approvals?
HI.
how much will it cost to approve a four bedroom maissonette around Juja with a stone wall, is it a must , it be online
.kindly make sure you answer.
it depends on the floor area of the maisonette. All Kiambu county approvals are done online here https://edams.kiambu.go.ke/
How much will it cost me to get necessary approvals for 3 bedroom residential in kantafu and what will the fee cover