Dealing with Construction Permits in
Sri Lanka
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:
LKR 27,500,000
- City: Colombo
| No. |
Procedure |
Time to Complete |
Associated Costs |
| 1 |
Obtain clearance issued by Municipal Treasurer
An application for a permit to engage in development activity is not processed until all outstanding taxes, as assessed by the Colombo Municipal Council, have been paid and a clearance has been obtained to that effect. Additional clearances may be required, depending on the case, from Department of Health, Fire and the City Planning Division.
Agency: Municipality
|
2 days
|
LKR 5,000
|
| 2 |
Submit development permit application to Municipal Council of Colombo (CMC)
Agency: Municipal Council of Colombo (CMC)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 3 |
Receive on-site inspection from Municipal Council of Colombo (CMC)
The applicant normally provides transportation or is responsible for the cost of a taxi or a trishaw. The cost depends on the location, but does not normally exceed USD 10.
Agency: Municipal Council of Colombo (CMC)
|
1 day
|
LKR 496
|
| 4 |
Receive on-site inspection from fire department and obtain fire safety requirements for proposed building
The Fire Department will carry out the inspection when the relevant department of the CMC sends the plan. The officers of the Fire Department will carry out a study of the plan and then may conduct a fire inspection and issue fire requirements. It takes 10 working days to obtain a fire inspection. The LKR 188 is for the application fee, because the inspection itself is carried out at no charge.
Agency: Fire Service Department of the CMC
|
14 days
|
LKR 188
|
| * 5 |
Obtain Defense clearance issued by Ministry of Defense
Projects of all sizes have to obtain defence clearance from the Ministry of Defense. Application is submitted to an officer in the Ministry, which is then transferred to respective department for a review on security matters. There is no official fee for this procedure.
Agency: Ministry of Defense
|
14 days
|
no charge
|
| 6 |
Obtain development permit (building permit) from Municipal Council of Colombo (CMC)
An application for a building permit must be submitted along with five copies of the building plan. The following are the internal steps involved in the issuance of the development permit:
- The Water Supply and Drainage Department of the Municipal Council of Colombo (CMC) marks the drainage and water lines on the proposed plan and issues the water and drainage clearance.
- The Fire Service Department of the CMC issues the fire report with or without conditions.
- The Building Department of the CMC issues the street line confirmation. An on-site inspection is conducted by an area inspector of the CMC and a report is prepared based on the investigations.
- The inspector’s report is assessed by a technical staff assistant and then by a planning officer or building engineer, and presented to the Planning Committee with comments and recommendations.
- The Planning Committee may approve the building plan and grant the development permit with or without conditions.
- The street/building lines must be demarcated on the ground, before the commencement of construction.
The building permit application form costs SLR 150.
If the floor area is more than 3,500 square feet, the application should be certified by an architect and a chartered engineer. The following documents are needed:
- A certificate from a qualified civil structural engineer regarding the design, supervision, and structural stability of the proposed development in order to ensure that no damage would be caused to adjoining properties.
- An insurance policy and a letter of indemnity.
As of December 2007 the Municipal Council of Colombo introduced a new development tax at the rate of 5% of project value. However, massive protests from private sector made authorities reduce it to 1%. The purpose of this tax is to supplement the development of aging infrastructure and build new housing for poor. Twenty percent of this amount will be paid at the time of obtaining the building permit and the rest of balance paid at the time of obtaining the occupancy permit.
Agency: Municipal Council of Colombo (CMC)
|
75 days
|
LKR 10,505
|
| 7 |
Request and receive water inspection
Agency: Water and Drainage Department of the CMC
|
1 day
|
LKR 496
|
| 8 |
Obtain water sanction from Water and Drainage Department of the CMC
The water sanction must be obtained before installation of permanent fittings. The following documents must be submitted:
- The prescribed application form.
- A copy of the approved building plan.
- A copy of the development permit.
- A copy of any previous water bills, if applicable.
- Any receipt or notice issued by the local authority, to confirm the assessment number.
- A receipt of tax payment.
Agency: Water and Drainage Department of the CMC
|
14 days
|
no charge
|
| 9 |
Request and receive sewage inspection
Agency: Water and Drainage Department of the CMC
|
1 day
|
LKR 496
|
| 10 |
Obtain drainage certificate from Water and Drainage Department of the Municipal Council of Colombo (CMC)
The following documents must be submitted to obtain a drainage certificate:
- The prescribed application form, signed in duplicate.
- Six copies of the approved building plan.
- The water and drainage plans.
- Two copies of the development permit.
- A copy of the water sanction.
All applications for drainage certificates must be submitted by a contractor registered with the local authority, and the drainage connection should be carried out by such contractor.
Agency: Water and Drainage Department of the CMC
|
14 days
|
LKR 24,380
|
| 11 |
Request and receive on-site inspection by area inspector of the planning department of the Municipal Council of Colombo (CMC) to check the conformity of the warehouse to the development permit
|
1 day
|
LKR 500
|
| 12 |
Request and receive on-site inspection by fire inspector
Agency: Fire Service Department of the CMC
|
1 day
|
LKR 496
|
| 13 |
Obtain certificate of conformity from Municipal Council of Colombo
The application to obtain a certificate of conformity must be signed by the owner(s) and a qualified person. The certificate of conformity is issued only under the names of the owners. To obtain a certificate of conformity, an application must be submitted with the following documents:
- Drainage certificate.
- Approved building plan: the building plan should be strictly in compliance with the Building Regulations of the Urban Development Authority Act.
- On-site inspection by an area inspector of the Planning Department of the CMC to ensure that construction has been completed according to the approved plan.
- On-site inspection by a fire inspector. The inspector’s report is then assessed by a technical staff assistant and by a planning officer or building engineer, and presented to the Planning Committee.
- A certificate approving the mechanical ventilation system.
- Any other certificates mentioned in the development permit.
Planning Committee issues the certificate of conformity if the construction complies with the approved plan. The architect and the structural engineer should sign the certificate of conformity.
The remaining balance of 1% of development tax must be paid before obtaining the occupancy permit is issued.
Agency: Municipality
|
42 days
|
LKR 22,575
|
| 14 |
Apply for water connection
Agency: Ceylon Electricity Board
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 15 |
Receive on-site inspection by inspector from National Water Supply and Drainage Board
Agency: National Water Supply and Drainage Board
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 16 |
Obtain water connection
To obtain the water connection, BuildCo must submit an application to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Assessment Notice, title deed and ownership certificate. After that receive an on-site inspection, pay water installation costs, and sign an agreement with the board. The company must also obtain a road permit if there is damage to the road in installing the water connection. This permit is issued by the Municipal Council of Colombo. It takes 7 days to obtain, and the costs depend on the damage to the road.
Agency: National Water Supply and Drainage Board
|
32 days
|
LKR 31,000
|
| 17 |
Apply for phone connection
Documents to be presented: Company certificate of incorporation; billing proof at current location.
Agency: Sri Lanka Telecom
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 18 |
Obtain phone connection
To obtain telephone connection, the company must submit an application to Sri Lanka Telecom along with water/sewage billing proof, receive an on-site inspection, and pay telephone installation costs.
Agency: Sri Lanka Telecom
|
14 days
|
LKR 13,773
|
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.