Dealing with Construction Permits in
Seychelles
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:
SCR 5,200,000
- City: Victoria
| No. |
Procedure |
Time to Complete |
Associated Costs |
| 1 |
Request and obtain copy of property title and cadastral plan
Agency: Ministry of Land Use & Habitat
|
1 day
|
SCR 15
|
| 2 |
Request and obtain project approval by Planning Authority (Ministry of Land Use & Habitat)
Required documentation:
- Architectural plans.
- Subdivision form (eight copies), completed in full with all relevant sections filled in, in accordance with the Land Survey Act.
- Application for permit for custody/possession/use of containers on the site, if applicable.
- Application for environmental authorization, if applicable.
- Declaration by agents and owners (original document).
- Title deed (not older than 6 months from the date of copy).
- Location plans.
- Cadastral layout.
- Site plan.
- Plot reference.
- Position of all existing features.
- Position of waste water facilities.
- Water and sewer services.
- Electricity.
- Calculation of fees.
The cost of the approval processing would be SCR 32,500 (SCR 25 per m2).
All plans are drawn up by the agent: A licensed agent (either an architect or a draughts person, depending on the size of the project) must lead the construction and obtain the approval of plans and occupancy permit. When applying for project approval with the Planning Authority, the licensed agent must verify that the information provided on the site plan is correct and accurate. Both the owner and agent take mutual responsibility to convey to each other that the conditions of the plans must be complied with. For buildings of about 250 sq. m. or more, an architect is required. The architect's fee depends on the firm, size of the project, and scope of work. Generally, about 2–4% of the project value might be charged.
The plans are forwarded to the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health (if warranted), the Public Utility Corporation (electricity provider), and the Fire Department (CFO), for approval, before being returned to the Planning Authority.
No less than 48 hours before the start of construction, the builder must notify the Planning Authority, which monitors the construction work. A Planning Authority employee is assigned to the project for inspections and as a contact point in case of questions. Employees at the Planning Authority are divided by region. During the course of the construction, the builder must provide notification to the Planning Authority at certain stages (e.g., give written notice that the drain/sewer/septic tank is ready for inspection and provide at least 48 hours’ notice before the commencement of concrete pouring). The Planning Authority usually, but not always, conducts inspections at those stages and conducts two to three additional inspections (all of them unannounced, unless requested by the builder or the owner).
Agency: Planning Authority
|
48 days
|
SCR 32,500
|
| 3 |
Request and obtain approval of structural plans at the Planning Authority
After the project is approved, the agent must submit the structural design to the Planning Authority within 28 days.
Agency: Planning Authority
|
30 days
|
no charge
|
| 4 |
Notifiy Planning authority the beginning of the construction
After the structural design is approved, it is required to notify the Planning Authority of the start of construction. The notice includes the names of the builder and owner, their contact information, and the date of commencement of construction of the project, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Building) Regulations 1975. The Notice of Commencement must be hand-delivered
Agency: Planning Authority
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 5 |
Notify Planning Authority of completion of drainage
Agency: Planning Authority
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 6 |
Receive inspection by Planning Authority
Agency: Planning Authority
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 7 |
Notify Planning Authority prior to pouring of concrete
Agency: Planning Authority
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 8 |
Receive inspection by Planning Authority
Agency: Planning Authority
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 9 |
Receive inspection by Planning Authority
Agency: Planning Authority
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 10 |
Receive inspection by Planning Authority
Agency: Planning Authority
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 11 |
Inform Planning Authority of end of construction/ File notice of completion
After the Planning Authority has been notified, it schedules a joint inspection with the Fire Department to assess whether the occupancy permit can be granted.
Agency: Planning Authority
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 12 |
Receive joint inspection by relevant authorities (Fire and Planning Authorities)
The inspection takes a day, but the scheduling takes about 1–2 weeks. The inspection is a joint one with different departments and ministries, depending on the nature of the project—in the case of a warehouse, usually the Planning Authority, Fire Department, and the Ministry of Health and Environment (EHO).
Agency: Planning Authority, Fire Department, Ministry of Health and Environment
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 13 |
Obtain occupancy permit
The Planning Authority, Environmental Department, and the Fire Department give their opinion on the project. Once their recommendations have been received, the file is forwarded to the Director of the Planning Authority, who signs the approval. Due to reforms enacted in 2006–2007, occupancy permits are now issued in 14 days.
Agency: Planning Authority, Environmental Department (EHO), and Fire Department
|
23 days
|
no charge
|
| 14 |
Request and connect to water services
The cost of the meter is included in the water connection fee. Assuming that meters are available, the connection can be obtained within a week. However, meter availability is an issue, and a waiting time of 1–6 months to obtain the meter is possible.
Agency: Public Utility Company (PUC) – water division
|
8 days
|
SCR 2,080
|
| 15 |
Request telephone connection
Agency: Public Utility Company (PUC) – water division
|
1 day
|
SCR 556
|
| 16 |
Receive site inspection by phone company
Within 2 to 3 days, an agent from the telephone company visits the site.
Agency: One of two private phone companies (Cable and Wireless or Airtel)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 17 |
Connect to telephone services
The fixed telephone line is installed within 3 days after the site visit.
Agency: One of two private phone companies (Cable and Wireless or Airtel)
|
5 days
|
no charge
|