Dealing with Construction Permits in
West Bank and Gaza
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:
ILS 1,648,511
- City: Ramallah
| No. |
Procedure |
Time to Complete |
Associated Costs |
| 1 |
Obtain location map from municipality
BuildCo must obtain a location map form the municipality to check that the proposed constructions project is allowed on this land.
Agency: Municipality
|
7 days
|
ILS 72
|
| 2 |
Obtain survey map from a licensed surveyor
The survey map is usually at a scale of 1:500 or 1:250 and shows, in addition to the boundaries, the levels and/ or contour lines, the site, and the surroundings, including sewerage, electricity, telephone, and water connections.
|
10 days
|
USD 1,200
|
| 3 |
Make soil test
A law requiring a soil exam went into effect in 2001, but because of the economic situation, some companies do not comply with it. However, since January 2005, the Engineers Syndicate stopped approving any plan without the soil test for projects exceeding 200 sq. m. A minimum of 3 boreholes must be made on the proposed site. If the building is an extension above an existing building, a report about the state of the existing building must be submitted.
|
14 days
|
ILS 9,592
|
| 4 |
Hire independent syndicate engineer to review building plans and approve them for submission
As required by the Engineers’ Syndicate, BuildCo must hire an outside engineer to submit the plans. Each project has to be licensed by a locally registered and licensed engineering/ architecture office even if the project has in house engineers and architects. Drawings are checked in Ramallah, but a jury from outside the city will check the plans. The cost includes the Engineers Syndicate fees.
Agency: Independent Syndicate Engineer
|
21 days
|
USD 5,202
|
| 5 |
Obtain building permit from the municipality
To obtain a building permit from the municipality, BuildCo must submit the following documents in five copies, one copy each for the consulting office, the municipality, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the engineer, as well as one copy that will be returned to BuildCo: - Land property title, including, site map, location map, city-land parcel number, and area regulations signed by a surveyor. - Documents about dimensions. - Project drawings: the proposed site plan and architectural plans, including dimensions, furniture, and reflected ceiling; and elevation, sections, and area diagrams with door and window schedules. - Structural drawings, including foundation plans, slabs, and details. - Plans for utilities, lighting, and earthling diagrams. - Mechanical plans for hot and cold water supplies, heating/cooling, ventilation, and sewerage. - Soil test. - Application form. The municipality must approve all copies mentioned above. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities must also approve BuildCo’s set of copies, as do the utility companies.
Agency: Municipality
|
21 days
|
USD 5,202
|
| * 6 |
Obtain no objection letter from the Electricity Company regarding the connection to utilities
Agency: Electricity Company
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 7 |
Obtain no objection letter from the Water Company regarding the connection to utilities
Agency: Water and Sewage Company (GEKA)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 8 |
Obtain civil defense permit
To obtain a civil defense permit, BuildCo must submit the following documents: - Land property title. - Documents about dimensions. - Project drawings. - Certificate of professional engineer - Project acceptance from the Engineers Syndicate. - Application form.
Agency: Civil Defense
|
14 days
|
no charge
|
| 9 |
Obtain excavation permit
Agency: Municipality
|
31 days
|
no charge
|
| 10 |
Receive foundation inspection
During construction the municipality randomly inspects the excavation work.
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 11 |
Submit concrete casting permit to Engineers syndicate for stamping
Agency: Engineers syndicate
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 12 |
Submit stamped concrete casting permit to the Municipality
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 13 |
Request and receive final inspection
Agency: Municipality
|
1 day
|
USD 8
|
| 14 |
Bring municipal letters of approval to water and sewage company (GEKA) and make appointment for inspection
Agency: Water and Sewage Company (GEKA)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 15 |
Bring municipal letters of approval to the phone company to obtain fixed telephone line
Agency: Electricity Company
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 16 |
Receive water and sewage inspection
The time from scheduling an appointment to when the inspector installs the meter is a week.
Agency: Water and Sewage Company (GEKA)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 17 |
Obtain water and sewage connection
The time and cost of obtaining an electricity connection depend on how much power is needed. In this case, only a 100-ampere connection is needed. If more than 1,000 amperes are need, a transformer is necessary, which costs a few thousand U.S. dollars and takes a month.
Agency: Electricity Company
|
3 days
|
ILS 3,500
|
| * 18 |
Receive inspection and obtain phone connection
Agency: Telephone Company
|
7 days
|
ILS 600
|
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.