Dealing with Construction Permits in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The table below summarizes the procedures, time, and costs to build a warehouse in Congo, Dem. Rep..

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Data as of: January 2009
Estimated Warehouse Value: CDF 123,557,000
City: Kinshasa

	Procedure	Time to complete:	Cost to complete:
1	Obtain a recent certified proof of land ownership	45 days	CDF 25,000
*2	Obtain cadastral extract	10 days	CDF 38,000
3	Obtain review by the Registrar of Title Deeds	15 days	no charge
4	Obtain building permit	180 days	CDF 917,198
*5	Apply for connection to the electricity grid	1 day	USD 100
6	Electricity company inspects the site and prepares an estimate	1 day	no charge
7	Obtain electricity connection	14 days	no charge
*8	Apply to the water corporation for connection to the water mains	1 day	USD 100
9	Water corporation inspects the site and prepares an estimate	1 day	no charge
10	Receive connection to water mains	14 days	no charge
*11	Apply for telephone connection	1 day	CDF 1,120
12	Phone company inspects the site and prepares and estimate	1 day	no charge
13	Obtain telephone connection	14 days	USD 280
14	Register the building and obtain new certificate of ownership	60 days	CDF 80,000

* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.

Procedure 1.: Obtain a recent certified proof of land ownership
Time to complete:: 45 days
Cost to complete:: CDF 25,000
Name of Agency:: Land Department (Division des Affaires Foncières)
Comment:: This document verifies the applicant’s title to the land where the building is intended.

Procedure 2.: Obtain cadastral extract
Time to complete:: 10 days
Cost to complete:: CDF 38,000
Name of Agency:: Urban Survey Department (Division Urbaine de cadastre)
Comment:: The survey map abstract accompanies the plot occupancy deed. This step must be combined with Procedure 1.

Procedure 3.: Obtain review by the Registrar of Title Deeds
Time to complete:: 15 days
Cost to complete:: no charge
Name of Agency:: Registrar of Title Deeds (Conservateur des titres immobiliers)
Comment:

Procedure 4.: Obtain building permit
Time to complete:: 180 days
Cost to complete:: CDF 917,198
Name of Agency:: Ministry of Urban Planning and Housing (Ministère de l’Urbanisme et de l’Habitat)
Comment:: The building permit authorizes the company to erect a structure in durable or semidurable material, according to the zoning laws, irrespective of the intended use. The building permit is valid for 3 years and is renewable. For major investment projects like commercial complexes and business premises, the Minister of Urban Planning and Housing (Ministre de l’Urbanisme et de l’Habitat) issues the building permit on behalf of the state.

Procedure 5.: Apply for connection to the electricity grid
Time to complete:: 1 day
Cost to complete:: USD 100
Name of Agency:: Socièté nationale d’électricité (SNEL)
Comment:: The time required to obtain an electrical connection depends on the distance of the building or land from the electricity source. Long distances may require up to a week, and shorter distances may require only a day. The fee is USD 100 (minimum).

Procedure 6.: Electricity company inspects the site and prepares an estimate
Time to complete:: 1 day
Cost to complete:: no charge
Name of Agency:: Socièté nationale d’électricité (SNEL)
Comment:

Procedure 8.: Apply to the water corporation for connection to the water mains
Time to complete:: 1 day
Cost to complete:: USD 100
Name of Agency:: Water Corporation
Comment:: The time required to connect to the water main depends on how far the building or land is situated from the water source. The time varies between a day and a week. The minimum fee is USD 100.

Procedure 11.: Apply for telephone connection
Time to complete:: 1 day
Cost to complete:: CDF 1,120
Name of Agency:: Office Congolais des Postes et des Télécommunications (OCPT)
Comment:: The fee shown is for the application.

Procedure 12.: Phone company inspects the site and prepares and estimate
Time to complete:: 1 day
Cost to complete:: no charge
Name of Agency:: Office Congolais des Postes et des Télécommunications (OCPT)
Comment:

Procedure 13.: Obtain telephone connection
Time to complete:: 14 days
Cost to complete:: USD 280
Name of Agency:: Office Congolais des Postes et des Télécommunications (OCPT)
Comment:

Procedure 14.: Register the building and obtain new certificate of ownership
Time to complete:: 60 days
Cost to complete:: CDF 80,000
Name of Agency:: Land department
Comment:: The certificate must describe the condition of the property and include the construction work and any modifications to the property.