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* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
Requirement Details
Procedure 1.
Obtain a site plan from the Department of Surveys and Maps
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
BWP 2
Name of Agency:
Department of Surveys and Maps
Comment:
Procedure 2.
Obtain a certified copy of rates certificate from the Gaborone City Council
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
BWP 1
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
The rates certificate verifies BuildCo's tax payment status.
Procedure 3.
Obtain an environmental management plan
Time to complete:
90 days
Cost to complete:
BWP 50,000
Name of Agency:
Comment:
New regulations introduced in 2005 require the submission of an environmental management plan before an environmental impact assessment is obtained.
Procedure 4.
Obtain an environmental impact assessment
Time to complete:
60 days
Cost to complete:
BWP 39,000
Name of Agency:
Independent Company
Comment:
An environmental impact assessment is mandatory for every building. It is normally conducted by an independent company before site construction (i.e., during the site analysis phase). To assist with plan designs, BuildCo would have to obtain the following documents: - Development Control Code 1995. - Building Control Act and Regulations, which regulates the nature of structures erected. - Urban Development Standards, guidelines set by the Ministry of Local Government Lands and Housing. - Factories Act, which sets health and safety regulations. - Town and Country Planning Act, which regulates use and development of land. - Public Health Act, which regulates sanitation and housing.
Procedure 5.
Submit permit application at Gaborone City Council
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Procedure 6.
Receive inspection from the Gaborone City Council
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Procedure 7.
Obtain planning and building permit from the Gaborone City Council
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
BWP 4,000
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Gaborone City Council approval is required to obtain a planning and building permit. The council examines the drawings and pays a site visit to ensure compliance with regulations and restrictions on health, sewer, fire, building, and planning. For any construction over 1,000 sq. m., the City Council forwards the filed documents for the approval of the Department of Town and Regional Planning (DTRP). Thus, BuildCo never enters into direct contact with the department.
Note that a certified copy of the title deed is required. There are no restrictions on how recent the copy of the deed should be.
Procedure 8.
Apply for sewage connection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
BWP 5,000
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Before construction starts, the City Council must approve the sewage connection. The connection fee has increased to BWP 5,000.
Procedure 9.
Receive on-site inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Procedure 10.
Receive inspection from Gaborone City Council of the start of excavation work
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
This inspection is conducted after the completion of every stage of construction. It is unadvisable to perform construction without inspections; builders run the risk of being ordered to demolish a defective structure.
Procedure 11.
Receive labor inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Department of Labor
Comment:
The Department of Labor Conducts ongoing inspections to check the site workers’ work permit documentation to ensure they are not undocumented illegal immigrants. Construction must stop if the sanitary or safety standards are below requirements, and if illegal workers are found on site.
Procedure 12.
Receive labor inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Department of Labor
Comment:
The Department of Labor Conducts ongoing inspections to check the site workers’ work permit documentation to ensure they are not undocumented illegal immigrants. Construction must stop if the sanitary or safety standards are below requirements, and if illegal workers are found on site.
Procedure 13.
Receive labor inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Department of Labor
Comment:
The Department of Labor Conducts ongoing inspections to check the site workers’ work permit documentation to ensure they are not undocumented illegal immigrants. Construction must stop if the sanitary or safety standards are below requirements, and if illegal workers are found on site.
Procedure 14.
Receive inspection from City Council of the start of foundation work
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Procedure 15.
Receive inspection from City Council of the start of concrete work
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Procedure 16.
Receive inspection from City Council of the start of slabs and damp-proof course
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Procedure 17.
Receive inspection from City Council of the setup of structure
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Procedure 18.
Notify the City Council of the practical completion of the building
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Procedure 19.
Receive on-site inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
Procedure 20.
Request and receive electricity inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
BWP 8,000
Name of Agency:
Botswana Power Corporation
Comment:
Time and money are required to ensure that the power connections are up to standard and correspond to required capacity. A residential or office building normally requires 240 volts, or one-phase power. In comparison, industrial facilities, such as warehouses, require 400 volts, or three-phase power.
Procedure 21.
Obtain electricity connection
Time to complete:
29 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Botswana Power Corporation
Comment:
Electricity connections are tested by Botswana Power Corporation when the connection has been requested and fees paid. It takes time and money to ensure that power connections are up to required standards and capacity.
Procedure 22.
Obtain water connection with Water Utilities Corporation
Time to complete:
7 days
Cost to complete:
BWP 2,500
Name of Agency:
Water Utilities Corporation
Comment:
Procedure 23.
Obtain telephone connection
Time to complete:
7 days
Cost to complete:
BWP 2,500
Name of Agency:
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation
Comment:
Procedure 24.
Obtain occupation permit
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gaborone City Council
Comment:
This document allows BuildCo to occupy the building on completion.
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