Dealing with Construction Permits in
Bolivia
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.
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Building a warehouse
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Estimated Warehouse Value:
BOB 1,711,835
- City: La Paz
| No. |
Procedure |
Time to Complete |
Associated Costs |
| 1 |
Request and obtain a form from the Municipality (can be obtained online)
The relevant application form may be downloaded from the municipality’s Web site (www.lapaz.bo).
(see Procedure 2 comment).
Agency: Cadastre (Municipality)
|
1 day
|
BOB 70
|
| 2 |
Request and obtain Cadastre Certificate
To request the cadastre certificate, a form must be picked up at the municipality (where stamps must be purchased) for a fee of BOB 70). The form must be completed by an architect recognized by the municipality (the architect is assumed to be a BuildCo employee). Typically, such an architect would charge about BOB 200 to BOB 500. Finally, a topographic plot plan must be acquired and attached to the form. Such plan costs about BOB 1,620. Fees are paid at the municipality and amount to BOB 1,620 + BOB 70 = BOB 1,690.
Fee schedule for cadastre certificate request:
- Form: BOB 70.
- Topographic plot plan: BOB 1,620.
- Architect fee: BOB 200 to BOB 500.
Agency: Cadastre (Municipality)
|
60 days
|
BOB 1,690
|
| 3 |
Request and obtain Royal Folio (Folio Real en Oficina de Derechos Reales)
The royal folio indicates the land’s location, surface and limits, and ownership history. To obtain this folio, BuildCo must present an application letter, attaching two copies of the testimony of property from the real estate office and two copies of the owner’s identity card.
Agency: Property Registry Office
|
20 days
|
BOB 53
|
| 4 |
Request and obtain a "Traso Vial" from Municipality
To obtain a zoning permit (Traso Vial) a special form must be completed by a professional licensed by the College of Architects of La Paz. The professional may be a BuildCo staff member. La Paz does not have updated, comprehensive maps of some zones (particularly industrial zones). The current maps date back to 1986. This document defines construction impact on adjacent zones.
Owing to the backlog created by newly hired professionals, the procedure takes on average 45–60 days.
Agency: Municipality
|
45 days
|
BOB 96
|
| 5 |
Submit and obtain approval of plans by Architects' Association
The actual cost is based on a table of fees determined by the Architects Association. Given the characteristics of the warehouse, the following cost formula applies: A * B * C = R, where
A = Area of the terrain (expressed in square meters).
B = USD 2.76 (may vary, depending on the actual area of the terrain).
C = 0.055 (a percentage given by the Architects Association).
R = The real cost (assumed to be USD 197.43 or its equivalent in BOB).
Agency: Architects Association (Colegio de Arquitectos)
|
30 days
|
BOB 1,522
|
| 6 |
Request construction permit
To request a construction permit, BuildCo must submit the following documentation:
- Written letter to the municipality.
- Single registration form (formulario único de administración predial) (download at the municipality Web site).
- Cadastre certificate (Procedure 3).
- Property title (copy).
- Royal folio (Procedure 5).
- Receipt of last five property tax payments.
- Identification card (copy).
- Plans (original and copy).
Cost is calculated by the square meter (about BS 0.85/ sq. m.).
The municipality reviews the documents and enters the application data into the electronic system SITR@M. After 5 business days, the architect in charge returns to the Municipality to arrange a date for the on-site inspection (preferably scheduled more than 2 business days later). In case of objections or observations, all documents are returned to the architect, and the rejection is documented on the single form (FUAP). After the inspection, the municipality informs BuildCo of the fee assessed and fills out the single municipal form (formulario unico municipal). After the inspection, GENISIS (the computerized system) calculates the overall fees and produces the single municipal form (formulario unico municipal).
Agency: Municipality (Dirección de Administración Predial)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 7 |
Receive inspection by the Municipality
The inspectors confirm that the plans and the site fulfill all regulatory requirements.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 8 |
Obtain the construction permit at the Municipality
Fees are paid at the municipality after the plans have been approved. Owing to backlogs at the municipality, the total time is 45 days (from date of request to receipt of permit).
Agency: Municipality
|
43 days
|
BOB 1,951
|
| 9 |
Request water and sewage connection
To request a water and sewage connection, BuildCo must submit the following required documents:
- Royal folio (folio real en derechos reales).
- Identification.
- Location plan.
- Sanitary plan (if the building has two or more floors).
Agency: Empresa Pública de Agua y Saneamiento
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 10 |
Receive a technical inspection (water connection feasibility study)
Once the application form has been received, the technical inspection determines the feasibility of service. Following the inspection, @ the water utility provider, Aguas de Illimani, calculates the water and sewage connection fee.
Agency: Empresa Pública de Agua y Saneamiento
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 11 |
Connect to water and sewage services
Agency: Empresa Pública de Agua y Saneamiento
|
46 days
|
BOB 4,581
|
| * 12 |
Request telephone line services from COTEL
The telephone line should be requested at COTEL, where a technician conducts an inspection and decides on the availability of a connection. If available, the line would be installed in 7 working days. Otherwise, it might take up to 2 months until a connection is available. In this case, it is assumed that a connection is available.
Agency: Co-operativa de Teléfonos Automáticos La Paz (COTEL)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 13 |
Receive telephone line inspection
Agency: Co-operativa de Teléfonos Automáticos La Paz (COTEL)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 14 |
Connect to telephone line
Agency: Co-operativa de Teléfonos Automáticos La Paz (COTEL)
|
8 days
|
BOB 300
|
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.