Dealing with Construction Permits in
Tunisia
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:
TND 1,040,000
- City: Tunis
| No. |
Procedure |
Time to Complete |
Associated Costs |
| 1 |
Obtain topographical study of the construction site
BuildCo must obtain a topographical survey prepared by the qualified topographic services, or by an approved topographer.
Agency: Topographical service (Service Topographique)
|
7 days
|
no charge
|
| * 2 |
Building plans reviewed by the Control Bureau
Consulting engineers are licensed by the Ministry of Equipment and Habitat. The company receives certification that plans are conform to the building standards.
Agency: Inspection Bureau (Bureau de Contrôle)
|
7 days
|
TND 10,400
|
| 3 |
Obtain building permit
A building commission composed of the following persons is responsible for reviewing and approving all building permit requests: head of the buildings department, deputy head of the buildings department, chief engineer, representative of the Ministry of Housing and Equipment, representative from the Ministry of development, and representatives from each of the main utility companies (STEG, ONAS, and SONEDE). The building commission meets at least once a week and more often depending on the demand. If the building commission finds minor issues with the designs, it will correct the plans accordingly and issue the building permit on a conditional basis. The permit applicant will be granted the building permit as long as the suggested changes to the plans are accepted and carried out. The building permit is valid for 3 years. After these 3 years have elapsed, an applicant can renew the permit at the Municipality for a fee of TND 250. The construction license file must include the following: - An application. - Architectural plans approved by an architect and consistent with local building code requirements and land development regulations. - A safety file approved by an engineer registered with the Tunisian Association of Engineers. - Proof of property rights. - Tax discharge. - A topographical survey prepared by the qualified topographic services or an approved topographer - Work design documents (dossier de coffrage). Once license documents are approved by the Construction Licensing Commission, BuildCo must submit to the Commission structural design documents signed by an engineer registered with the Tunisian Association of Engineers. - An order of alignment delivered by the Ministry of Equipment, if the building is located on a classified road or an urban avenue. After 21 days, and in the absence of a response from the municipal authority, the construction license is automatically granted. Though the time limit is 21 days, permits are issued on average in 4 weeks (between 4 and 6 weeks). However, according to regulations, municipal services reserve the right of demolition if the construction takes place without authorization. The license is valid for 3 years. Renewal is not required if construction has started but is not completed before the expiration of the license. A Ministry of Housing and Equipment decree issued in April 2007 introduced two changes affecting the submission of building permits. First, the architect responsible for the building works must be present to submit the application and explain the project to the building authorities in the municipality. Second, a “fiche technique” signed and stamped by an architect admitted to the Ordre des Architects de Tunisie is now required with all building permit applications. Both of these requirements were introduced to avoid forgery of architect stamps on building plans.
Agency: Municipality
|
28 days
|
TND 900
|
| 4 |
Receive excavation inpection from the Municipality
When companies receive their building permit, they must notify the Municipality when they begin digging; at this point the Municipality performs an excavation inspection.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 5 |
Receive random municipal inspection
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 6 |
Request and receive inspection from the Inspection Bureau during construction work
The accredited engineer supervises the construction work as well as the Office of control and inspections, which will make various visits to the site.
Agency: Inspection Bureau (Bureau de Contrôle)
|
1 day
|
TND 150
|
| 7 |
Request and receive final inspection from the Inspection Bureau upon completion of construction
Agency: The Engineering and Design Department (Bureaut d'Etudes) and Inspections Bureau (Bureau de Contrôle)
|
1 day
|
TND 2,400
|
| 8 |
Request and receive final inspection and approval (“permis de récolement”) from the Municipality
Upon completion of the construction, BuildCo must immediately submit the final building plans to the municipal authorities.
Agency: Municipality
|
14 days
|
no charge
|
| 9 |
Request and receive final inspection and approval from the civil protection
About 7 days after the notification of construction completion, the Civil Protection Services perform an inspection of the completed building. After the final inspection, BuildCo receives a certificate of approval.
Agency: Civil Protection Services (Protection Civile)
|
7 days
|
no charge
|
| 10 |
Apply for water connection
BuildCo must submit the following documents along with the application for a water connection to SONEDE: proof of ownership of the land, location plan, and the building permit issued by the local municipality.
Agency: Société Tunisienne d’Electricité et de Gaz (STEG)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 11 |
Apply for sewage connection
Agency: Office National de l’Assainissement (ONAS)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 12 |
Aplly for telephone connection
The National Office of Telecommunications (Office National des Télécommunications, also known as Tunisie Télécom) is the sole supplier of telecommunications services in the country. It is also the main share owner of Tunicell, the mobile wireless/cellular operator in Tunisia.
Agency: Tunisie Télécom
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 13 |
Receive inspection from SONEDE (water)
Agency: Société Tunisienne d’Electricité et de Gaz (STEG)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 14 |
Receive inspection from ONAS (sewage)
Agency: Office National de l’Assainissement (ONAS)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 15 |
Obtain water connection
The duration and cost can vary based on the distance to existing water mains.
Agency: Société Tunisienne d’Electricité et de Gaz (STEG)
|
21 days
|
TND 500
|
| * 16 |
Obtain sewage connection
The duration and cost can vary based on the distance to existing sewer mains.
Agency: Office National de l’Assainissement (ONAS)
|
21 days
|
TND 500
|
| * 17 |
Obtain telephone connection
Agency: Tunisie Télécom
|
10 days
|
TND 100
|
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.