Dealing with Construction Permits in
Namibia
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:
NAD 2,703,071
- City: Windhoek
| No. |
Procedure |
Time to Complete |
Associated Costs |
| 1 |
Check with the Town Planning Department if the land is in the right zoning area
A computerized system stores the use of every piece of land and is accessible by all agencies. The check can be conducted either on the telephone or in person.
Agency: Town Planning Department
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 2 |
Request a building permit from the Building Control Division of the City of Windhoek
The application should be accompanied by the architectural plans.
The company submits all the information to the Building Control Division. This division then forwards the information to the relevant agencies—to the departments of fire and safety, architecture, road planning (storm water and transportation policy), town planning (to comply with the maximum land coverage requirements), health (ventilation, windows, and air), roads construction, and water and sewerage. Each agency stamps the architectural plans to indicate that they are cleared.
This procedure is completed in about 28 calendar days. In practice, the applicant goes to the Building Control Division only. Additional documents may be requested. If done in person, approvals could be received within 4 days.
The applicant receives a building permit and one stamped copy of the architectural plans.
For complex projects it is common to hold informal consultations with the approving authorities to make sure that the architectural plans are in order prior to the formal submission of the building permit application.
According to the fee schedule for 1300.6 sq.m. BuildCo would qualify into category "Buildings exceeding 1000 sq.m but not exceeding 2000 sq.m. and comprising less than three floors". The base tariff is N$ 16,000+N$2,400 =N$ 18,400.
Agency: Building Control Division of the City of Windhoek
|
28 days
|
NAD 18,400
|
| 3 |
Receive inspection from Municipality to pass foundations
There are phased inspections in Windhoek. Upon obtaining the building permit BuildCo will receive a schedule of inspections. Notification is done on special forms, however it can be done via fax. The inspector conducts the inspection the same or the following day. Upon concluding the inspection, the inspector signs the notice. Contractor keeps it as a proof that the inspection took place.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 4 |
Receive inspection from Municipality to pass damp-proof course (DPC)
There are phased inspections in Windhoek. Upon obtaining the building permit BuildCo will receive a schedule of inspections. Notification is done on special forms, however it can be done via fax. The inspector conducts the inspection the same or the following day. Upon concluding the inspection, the inspector signs the notice. Contractor keeps it as a proof that the inspection took place.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 5 |
Receive open sewer inspection from Municipality
There are phased inspections in Windhoek. Upon obtaining the building permit BuildCo will receive a schedule of inspections. Notification is done on special forms, however it can be done via fax. The inspector conducts the inspection the same or the following day. Upon concluding the inspection, the inspector signs the notice. Contractor keeps it as a proof that the inspection took place. After this inspection there can be inspection on drains when they are ready for final inspections.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 6 |
Request services for water connection
The company must request a meeting or an inspection with the infrastructure, water, and sewerage division department of the municipality to obtain water connection and electrical installation. The inspections are carried out within 48 hours of the date of the request.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 7 |
Receive water inspection from Municipality
Water and electricity connections are installed by the municipality about 2 months from the inspection date.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 8 |
Obtain connection for water from Municipality
Water and electricity connections are installed by the municipality about 2 months from the inspection date.
Agency: Municipality
|
60 days
|
no charge
|
| * 9 |
Request telephone connection
Agency: Telecom Namibia Ltd.
|
14 days
|
NAD 284
|
| 10 |
Receive final inspection by Municipality
When a contractor ready to receive an inspection, he submits a notice of completion of the building. Upon concluding the inspection, the inspector signs the notice. Contractor keeps it as a proof that the inspection took place.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 11 |
Municipality issues completion certificate
The completion certificate is issued 2–3 weeks after the final inspection. BuildCo collects it from the municipality.
Agency: Municipality
|
14 days
|
no charge
|
| 12 |
Register building with the Deeds Registry Office
The cost of registration includes value-added tax.
Agency: Deeds Registry Office
|
30 days
|
NAD 22,500
|
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.