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* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
Requirement Details
Procedure 1.
Consult and Purchase the Application for Development Permit from Department of Physical Planning (Form 1)
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Planning Authority
Comment:
The application is requested by the Department of Physical Planning. Companies often consult with the authorities about the project.
Procedure 2.
Submit Development Permit Application
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
GMD 13,006
Name of Agency:
Department for Physical Planning and Housing (DPPH)
Comment:
The application for a development permit consists of: - Form 1. - Drawings (three sets). - Evidence of ownership.
The application must be submitted with three complete set of drawings. After the development permit is issued, one set of drawings will be returned to the owner, and this set of approved plans must be kept at the building site, open to inspection by the authorities. The owner must also show evidence of ownership (photocopy of the title deed lease document or certificate of occupancy).
The cost since January 2008 is GMD 10 x 1,300.6 = 10,404.8 + GMD 15 (fee for form) = GMD 13,021.
Procedure 3.
Obtain Development Permit from Development Control Unit (Form 2)
Time to complete:
28 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Development Control Unit (Department for Physical Planning and Housing)
Comment:
Upon scrutinizing evidence of landownership, land use, and building plans, the Planning Authority approves the application, and the Development Control Unit issues a development permit, which consists of the following: - Form 2. - Approved plans, stamped and signed (one set). - Form 4, Commencement notice. The developer must complete and send Form 4 to the Department of Physical Planning before starting any construction work. - Form 9, Notice of completion. The authority does not have an official fee schedule. The Development Control Regulations were adopted in 1995 and have not been altered since then. Lack of time-limits for this procedure exacerbates the fact that applicants have to do a constant follow up. In principle, the Planning Authority should be notified of the commencement of the construction works, but this is not happening in practice.
Procedure 4.
Receive inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Development Control Unit (Department of State for Local Government)
Comment:
The Department of State for Local Government has the right to inspect during construction. Inspections as a matter of fact should be phased after each major stage of construction. But the inspections practically turned into random ones and take a few hours. If they find a building without a building permit they make you get one afterwards. Often the inspection will occur if there is a problem reported or if the department suspects that the developer did not pay all the required fees. BuildCo does not need to request the inspection.
Procedure 5.
Receive inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Development Control Unit (Department of State for Local Government)
Comment:
The Department of State for Local Government has the right to inspect during construction. Inspections as a matter of fact should be phased after each major stage of construction. But the inspections practically turned into random ones and take a few hours. If they find a building without a building permit they make you get one afterwards. Often the inspection will occur if there is a problem reported or if the department suspects that the developer did not pay all the required fees. BuildCo does not need to request the inspection.
Procedure 6.
Submit Certificate of Completion
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Development Control Unit (DCU)
Comment:
At the end of the construction works, the Planning Authority should be notified. The developer must fill out Form 9 and send it to the Development Control Unit. The Authority would then come out to the construction site to issue a Certificate of Completion. This step is widely not practiced, however some companies and foreigners do follow this requirement.
Procedure 7.
Receive inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Development Control Unit (Department of State for Local Government)
Comment:
Procedure 8.
Obtain Certificate of Completion
Time to complete:
35 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Development Control Unit (DCU)
Comment:
The certificate of completion is needed to obtain a water and electricity connection. There is no need to update the property title for the inclusion of the building.
Procedure 9.
Request electricity connection approval and inspection from NAWEC
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
GMD 200
Name of Agency:
National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC)
Comment:
There is an inspection after BuildCo applies for electricity. Note that the application fee is deducted from the connection fee. The typical wait time, after request, is 4 weeks (28 days).
Procedure 10.
Receive inspection from NAWEC
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC)
Comment:
Procedure 11.
Receive connection to electricity services from NAWEC
Time to complete:
55 days
Cost to complete:
GMD 11,500
Name of Agency:
National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC)
Comment:
The GMD 11,500 cost is for provision of electrical power and meter, provided that there is a main supply not more than 40 meters from the property. The developer will cover cost of any additional cost to extend existing main power supply; this could extend the completion time by 1–2 months.
Procedure 12.
Request water connection approval from NAWEC- Water Department
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
GMD 200
Name of Agency:
National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC)
Comment:
The developer must apply to the National Water and Electricity Company for the water and sewage connection. Moreover, the developer must complete the works down to, and including, a manhole within 3 meters of the plot boundary nearest to the sewer. After the application for the water and sewage connection, the water and electricity utility performs an inspection. Note that the application fee is deducted from the connection fee.
Procedure 13.
Receive inspection from NAWEC- Water Department
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC)
Comment:
Procedure 14.
Receive connection to water services from NAWEC- Water Department
Time to complete:
72 days
Cost to complete:
GMD 8,500
Name of Agency:
National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC)
Comment:
Procedure 15.
Request fixed telephone line approval and inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
GMD 850
Name of Agency:
Gambia Telecommunication Company (GAMTEL)
Comment:
The application is submitted to Gambia Telecommunications (GAMTEL), which upon review, sends an inspector to the site.
Procedure 16.
Receive on-site visit from GAMTEL
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Gambia Telecommunication Company (GAMTEL)
Comment:
Ten working days after an application is submitted, GAMTEL sends a site surveyor to inspect the property and determine any additional fees required for installation.
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