Dealing with Construction Permits in
Belgium
Listed below is detailed summary of the procedures, time and costs to build a warehouse —including obtaining necessary licenses and permits, completing required notifications and inspections and obtaining utility connections.
The information appearing on this page was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 183 economies. The most recent round of data collection for the project was completed in June 2011.
-
Building a warehouse
-
Estimated Warehouse Value:
EUR 1,000,000
- City: Brussels
| No. |
Procedure |
Time to Complete |
Associated Costs |
| 1 |
Obtain clearance from the fire department
Some municipalities request a fire department report on the owner’s behalf.
Agency: Fire Department
|
14 days
|
EUR 50
|
| 2 |
Request building permit from the Municipality Office
The building permit request must be filed with the municipality along with drawings. In Brussels, an environmental impact report is not required for such warehouse construction. Moreover, the building permit expires in 2 years from issuance if construction has not started within that period. However, Buildco may also request an environmental permit from the same municipality if the warehouse is used for storing more than 500 tons (551 short tons) of paper. This additional procedure must be completed in 60 days. This permit is normally valid for 15 years from the date of the start of operations.
Agency: Municipality
|
75 days
|
EUR 680
|
| 3 |
Municipality Office inspects to check posting of building permit (after being informed of beginning of construction work)
Upon being informed about the start of construction, the municipality checks whether the building permit is posted. A subsequent inspection may take place during construction. If the building permit is not posted, the municipality can request a halt to construction.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 4 |
Receive on-site inspection from tax administration
Upon completion of construction, the tax administration inspects the site.
Agency: Tax Administration
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 5 |
Receive on-site inspection from fire department after construction
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 6 |
Inform the Municipality office of the end of the construction works
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 7 |
Request and receive inspection from sewage company on construction site
The site inspection occurs in about a week from the request (EUR 50 per site visit).
|
1 day
|
EUR 50
|
| * 8 |
Obtain sewage connection to the public sewage company
The EUR 9,534 quoted to request and obtain sewage connection is for a standard connection of high-density polyethylene, 200 millimeter (7.8 inch) by 3 meters deep. The price has been indexed since 2004.
|
75 days
|
EUR 9,534
|
| * 9 |
Request and receive on-site inspection by the water company
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 10 |
Obtain connection to water supply
The EUR7,068 quoted reflects the following standard fire department requirements, based on project specifications: (a) reels with central overhead water supply inside the building; (b) a water main for mural hydrants; (c) an external overhead fire hydrant near the building; and (d) a sprinkler system connected to the water supply. In addition, the cost depends on the type of gate and the diameter of the main pipe. A 3- to 4-inch pipe is required. The price has been indexed since 2004.
|
42 days
|
EUR 7,068
|
| * 11 |
Request and receive on-site inspection by the telephone company
Agency: Belgacom
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 12 |
Obtain telecommunications connection
The price for a regular telephone line does not include any calling plan. The delivery of telecommunication service has deteriorated over the past 2 years. Whereas in the past, a telephone connection could be obtained in only a few days, it now takes up to 2 months.
Agency: Belgacom
|
35 days
|
EUR 202
|
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.