= Doing Business reform making it easier to do business. 
= Doing Business reform making it more difficult to do business.
Albania
DB 2012:
In Albania dealing with construction permits became more difficult because the main authority in charge of issuing building permits has not met since April 2009.
Algeria
DB 2010:
New regulations were introduced to better administer the construction permit process and ensure the safe, timely completion of construction projects.
Angola
DB 2009:
To ease the process of getting construction permits in Luanda, the provincial government is now in charge of organizing and distributing the documents relating to construction projects to the agencies involved in water and electricity inspections.
Armenia
DB 2012:
Armenia made dealing with construction permits easier by eliminating the requirement to obtain an environmental impact assessment for small projects.
DB 2009:
The cost to obtain construction permits in Yerevan was significantly reduced by abolishing “mandatory charitable contributions” paid to obtain the right to design.
Bahrain
DB 2010:
Preliminary approvals for building permits were consolidated in a one-stop shop and reduced the time required to obtain a building permit.
Banja Luka
DB 2012:
Digitized Cadastre and Land Registry content making registering a new building with these institutions more efficient. A new Law on Construction and Urban Planning was adopted by the Republika Srpska parliament in June 2010. The law eliminated the need to obtain pre-construction clearances from utility providers.
Belarus
DB 2010:
Belarus eased the process for getting construction permits by simplifying approval processes.
DB 2009:
The time required for dealing with construction permits fell by 140 days, thanks to new statutory time limits for preapproval clearances and building permits.
Benin
DB 2011:
Benin created a new municipal commission to streamline construction permitting and set up an ad hoc commission to deal with the backlog in permit applications.
DB 2009:
Dealing with construction permits now takes 78 days longer than before, because of an administrative backlog in the municipality of Cotonou. New building regulations were passed in 2007 but are not yet in force.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
DB 2012:
Bosnia and Herzegovina made dealing with construction permits easier by fully digitizing and revamping its land registry and cadastre.
DB 2010:
The building permit system was improved by reducing the time to register a new building at the courts and land cadastre.
DB 2009:
The reform at the Land Registry has benefited entrepreneurs dealing with construction permits, reducing the time to obtain a cadastre excerpt before construction and to register the newly completed building in the cadastre and land book.
Bulgaria
DB 2009:
Dealing with construction permits has become more difficult. The fees for obtaining construction permits were increased by about 16 percent in 2008. Stricter environmental requirements mean that companies in Sofia now have to obtain a certificate of energy efficiency before and after construction.
DB 2008:
In the construction sector, inspections were made more transparent and liabilities are from now on more clearly defined after technical passports were introduced this year.
Burkina Faso
DB 2012:
Burkina Faso made dealing with construction permits less costly by reducing the fees to obtain a fire safety study.
DB 2011:
Burkina Faso made dealing with construction permits easier by cutting the cost of the soil survey in half and the time to process a building permit application by a third.
DB 2010:
The process for construction permits was eased by establishing a one-stop shop in Ouagadougou.
DB 2009:
Random inspections during construction were eliminated. Also a new one-stop shop for construction permits was introduced, which reduced approval fees and combined five separate payments into a single one.
Burundi
DB 2012:
Burundi made dealing with construction permits easier by reducing the cost to obtain a geotechnical study.
China
DB 2008:
Beijing and Shanghai now process applications for construction permits electronically and allow construction companies to apply for safety certificates online, reducing delays.
Colombia
DB 2011:
Colombia eased construction permitting by improving the electronic verification of prebuilding certificates.
DB 2010:
The government eased the construction permit process with a new construction decree that categorizes building projects based on risk and allows electronic verification for certain documents.
DB 2009:
A silence-is-consent principle for building permits is now applied, reducing the total time for dealing with construction permits. A new unified application form was introduced.
Congo, Dem. Rep.
DB 2012:
The Democratic Republic of Congo reduced the administrative costs of obtaining a construction permit.
DB 2011:
Dealing with construction permits became easier in the Democratic Republic of Congo thanks to a reduction in the cost of a building permit from 1% of the estimated construction cost to 0.6% and a time limit for issuing building permits.
Côte d'Ivoire
DB 2011:
Côte d’Ivoire eased construction permitting by eliminating the need to obtain a preliminary approval.
Croatia
DB 2011:
Croatia replaced the location permit and project design confirmation with a single certificate, simplifying and speeding up the construction permitting process.
DB 2010:
The process for getting construction permits was eased by opening a one-stop shop and through enforcement of the building code.
DB 2009:
A new building code came into force in October 2007 and made it easier to deal with construction permits by eliminating five procedures. Even so, the reform led to an administrative backlog for building and occupancy permits, increasing the overall time.
Czech Republic
DB 2010:
Construction permitting was streamlined by reducing the internal processing time for registering new plots.
DB 2008:
The time to obtain licenses was reduced by passing a new Building Act and implementing several regulations aimed at simplifying the building process.
Djibouti
DB 2012:
Djibouti made dealing with construction permits costlier by increasing the fees for inspections and the building permit and adding a new inspection in the preconstruction phase.
Egypt
DB 2010:
Construction permits were made easier by issuing executive articles for the 2008 construction law and eliminating most preapprovals for construction permits.
DB 2009:
A new building code introduced in 2008 is aimed at reducing the procedures and time required to deal with construction permits by establishing a single window for processing construction-related approvals.
DB 2008:
The cost of dealing with licences was reduced.
Estonia
DB 2011:
Estonia made dealing with construction permits more complex by increasing the time for obtaining design criteria from the municipality.
Fiji
DB 2009:
New regulations were adopted for construction permitting that added three new preapproval procedures relating to health, fire safety, and water and sewerage connections.
Georgia
DB 2010:
The process for dealing with construction permits was eased by introducing a simplified process for obtaining confirmation from utilities, a risk-based approval process for building permits, and new time limits for the occupancy certificate.
DB 2008:
The regulation of construction permits was reformed. The procedure for occupancy certificates was simplified (abandoning the need for a special commission), and time limits shortened (from 45 to 30). Water utility and electricity providers can now be approached as one administrative body, and project documentation was made easier.
Guatemala
DB 2010:
The construction permit process was eased with a new land management plan that simplified approvals based on risk assessments, while mixed zoning regimes made the approval process much faster.
DB 2008:
The decision processes for construction were expedited, reducing the time.
Guinea
DB 2011:
Guinea increased the cost of obtaining a building permit.
Haiti
DB 2012:
Haiti made dealing with construction permits costlier by increasing the fees to obtain a building permit.
Honduras
DB 2010:
The construction permit process was eased through various administrative reforms that shortened the process by 19 days.
Hong Kong, China
DB 2009:
Under the “Be the Smart Regulator” program, a broad initiative to improve business licensing, the government reduced the time to deal with construction permits and eliminated several procedures related to inspections and preapprovals.
Hungary
DB 2011:
Hungary implemented a time limit for the issuance of building permits.
Iceland
DB 2011:
Iceland made dealing with construction permits more costly by increasing the fees to obtain the design approval and receive inspections.
Iran
DB 2010:
The process for dealing with construction permits was quickened with the introduction of e-service offices in Tehran, streamlining the process for obtaining location approvals, construction permits, and building completion certificates. In addition, the time needed to obtain water and electricity connections fell substantially.
Jamaica
DB 2009:
As part of an initiative to improve administrative efficiency, a statutory time limit was introduced for issuing building permits, reducing the time required to build a warehouse.
Japan
DB 2012:
Japan made dealing with construction permits costlier by increasing inspection fees.
Jordan
DB 2010:
The process for dealing with construction permits was eased by extending the services of the one-stop shop in Greater Amman to medium-size commercial construction projects.
Kazakhstan
DB 2011:
Kazakhstan made dealing with construction permits easier by implementing a one-stop shop related to technical conditions for utilities.
DB 2010:
The process for getting construction permits was eased by eliminating the requirement to pay for new electrical connection, reducing time limits for building permits, and lowering the cost of topographic surveys.
Kenya
DB 2010:
The cost of getting construction permits was increased.
DB 2008:
An ambitious licensing reform program was launched which has led to the elimination of 110 business licenses and the simplification of eight, reducing the time and cost of obtaining building licenses and registering a company. At the end of the program, more than 600 of the 1300 licenses will be simplified or eliminated.
Kuwait
DB 2008:
A new automated system was introduced to all government agencies responsible for issuing technical approvals for the installation of utilities. The total time needed to obtain the approvals for phone lines, electricity connections, water plans, and from the sewage authority has decreased.
Kyrgyz Republic
DB 2010:
The process for getting construction permits by streamlining the fee structure, introducing a risk-based system of approval and building control, allowing low-risk projects to conduct an internal building control process, and simplifying the process for obtaining utility connections.
DB 2009:
Dealing with construction permits also became easier, thanks to a one-stop shop making it possible to obtain a designing permit, construction license, and occupancy permit at a single place. This reform eliminated several procedures, reduced the time required to build a warehouse, and lowered the cost.
Liberia
DB 2010:
The process for getting construction permits was eased by lowering the permit fee and cost of obtaining a power generator, abolishing the requirement to obtain a tax waiver certificate before submitting documents to obtain a building permit, and making fixed telephone connections more readily available for public use with the reopening of the national phone company.
DB 2009:
The time required to obtain a construction permit was reduced by introducing a 30-day statutory time limit and eliminating the requirement for a signature by the minister of public works on small to medium-size construction projects. Liberia also cut building permit fees in half.
Macedonia, FYR
DB 2012:
FYR Macedonia made dealing with construction permits easier by transferring oversight processes to the private sector and streamlining procedures.
DB 2010:
The construction permit process has been reformed, shortening waiting times but raising fees.
DB 2008:
The time to obtain a construction license was decreased through administrative reform of the Real Estate Registry.
Mali
DB 2011:
Mali eased construction permitting by implementing a simplified environmental impact assessment for noncomplex commercial buildings.
DB 2010:
The time for delivering water connections was shortened by 30 days.
Mauritania
DB 2012:
Mauritania made dealing with construction permits easier by opening a one-stop shop.
DB 2009:
The first building code was introduced. This simplifies the requirements for small construction projects and lays the groundwork for a one-stop shop for construction permits.
Mauritius
DB 2008:
Issuance of a unique Building and Land Use Permit was simplified: instead of two separate permits, introducing statutory time limits and recalculating the cost formula.
Mexico
DB 2012:
Mexico made dealing with construction permits faster by consolidating internal administrative procedures.
DB 2011:
Mexico improved construction permitting by merging and streamlining procedures related to zoning and utilities.
Montenegro
DB 2010:
The process for construction permits was improved with a new construction law that eliminated procedures, provided new mechanisms for permit approval and building control processes in general, and introduced a risk-based approval system that assigns control for small projects to municipalities.
DB 2009:
Obtaining construction permits takes longer compared to last year. Stricter compliance requirements introduced to conform with EU best practices led to an administrative backlog, increasing the time to build a warehouse.
Morocco
DB 2012:
Morocco made dealing with construction permits easier by opening a one-stop shop.
DB 2008:
The time needed to obtain new licenses for construction firms was reduced, by establishing a one-stop shop in Casablanca to provide better communication between the relevant agencies.
Mostar
DB 2012:
Digitized Cadastre content making registering a new building with this institution more efficient.
Netherlands
DB 2010:
A new Spatial Planning Law was enacted to improve the construction regulation process.
New Zealand
DB 2010:
The fees related to the construction permitting process were increase.
Nigeria
DB 2008:
Operation 30/30 increased the speed of The Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Authority, reducing the time it takes to obtain a construction permit.
Niksic
DB 2012:
The process for construction permits was improved with a new construction law that eliminated procedures, provided new mechanisms for permit approval and building control processes in general, and introduced a risk-based approval system that assigns control for small projects to municipalities.
Panama
DB 2010:
The construction permit process was eased by eliminating and simplifying some procedures.
Paraguay
DB 2012:
Paraguay made dealing with construction permits easier by implementing a risk-based approval system and a single window for obtaining construction permits.
DB 2011:
Paraguay made dealing with construction permits easier by creating a new administrative structure and a better tracking system in the municipality of Asunción.
Peru
DB 2011:
Peru streamlined construction permitting by implementing administrative reforms.
Philippines
DB 2011:
The Philippines made construction permitting more cumbersome through updated electricity connection costs.
Pljevlje
DB 2012:
The process for construction permits was improved with a new construction law that eliminated procedures, provided new mechanisms for permit approval and building control processes in general, and introduced a risk-based approval system that assigns control for small projects to municipalities.
Portugal
DB 2012:
Portugal made dealing with construction permits easier by streamlining its inspection system.
DB 2010:
An improved fire safety appraisal system was introduced for new construction projects and faster registration of new buildings.
DB 2009:
An on-line application was introduced for construction permits.
Puerto Rico
DB 2012:
Puerto Rico (territory of the United States) made dealing with construction permits easier by creating the Office of Permits Management to streamline procedures.
Qatar
DB 2012:
Qatar made dealing with construction permits more difficult by increasing the time and cost to process building permits.
Romania
DB 2011:
Romania amended regulations related to construction permitting to reduce fees and expedite the process.
DB 2010:
Construction permit costs rose because of a new fee equal to 0.05 percent of the project value.
Russia
DB 2011:
Russia eased construction permitting by implementing a single window for all procedures related to land use.
DB 2008:
Since July 2006, the Moscow Committee for State Construction supervision is responsible for both construction permits and technical compliance. A new law requires the building authority to issue permits within 10 days from the receipt of all documents. A simple notification replaced the former requirement of a second formal authorization to begin construction after the construction permit has been granted. Companies are now required to purchase a license for connection to the electricity network, a measure to offset high demand, but resulted in a substantial increase in cost.
Rwanda
DB 2011:
Rwanda made dealing with construction permits easier by passing new building regulations at the end of April 2010 and implementing new time limits for the issuance of various permits.
DB 2009:
Construction permitting was streamlined for the second year in a row by combining the applications for location clearance and a building permit in a single form and introducing a single application form for water, sewerage, and electricity connections. This reduced both the number of procedures and the time required for dealing with construction permits.
DB 2008:
Decentralization of the administrative system, which divided Kigali into three districts, and the privatization of water and electricity company Electrogaz, have reduced building permit and utilities connection time.
São Tomé and Principe
DB 2012:
São Tomé and Príncipe made dealing with construction permits easier by reducing the time required to process building permit applications.
Saudi Arabia
DB 2011:
Saudi Arabia made dealing with construction permits easier for the second year in a row by introducing a new, streamlined process.
DB 2010:
The process for dealing with construction permits was expedited by introducing a one-day permit procedure, enabling builders to obtain a temporary building permit allowing them to begin construction after one day and a final building permit after one week.
Serbia
DB 2009:
An administrative backlog at the Belgrade Municipality’s Construction Department added 75 days to the time for obtaining construction permits.
Sierra Leone
DB 2011:
Sierra Leone made dealing with construction permits easier by streamlining the issuance of location clearances and building permits.
DB 2009:
The organization of the building approval process was improved and phased inspections were reinstated, cutting procedures for obtaining a construction permit.
Singapore
DB 2010:
Dealing with construction permits was made easier with new workplace safety and health regulations that allow low-risk industries to submit documents online.
DB 2009:
The process for dealing with construction permits was sped up, reducing the time to build a warehouse. Almost 99 percent of applications are now submitted electronically through the Construction and Real Estate Network (CORENET).
Slovenia
DB 2010:
Processes for dealing with construction permits were streamlined, such as lowering costs and no longer requiring a cadastre plan.
Solomon Islands
DB 2010:
Fee increases significantly raised the cost of obtaining a construction permit.
Sri Lanka
DB 2010:
The government made getting construction permits more difficult by increasing fees and adding a procedure.
Taiwan, China
DB 2012:
Taiwan (China) made dealing with construction permits easier by creating a one-stop center.
Tajikistan
DB 2010:
Changes were introduced that simplified the construction permit process, reducing procedures and time.
DB 2009:
Administrative backlogs in obtaining location permits increased the time for dealing with construction permits.
Tanzania
DB 2010:
Additional procedures and costs made obtaining construction permits more difficult.
Tonga
DB 2009:
More of the regulations of its 2005 building code were implemented, decreasing the number of procedures for dealing with construction permits and, with administrative improvements, reducing the time to build a warehouse.
Trinidad and Tobago
DB 2012:
Trinidad and Tobago made dealing with construction permits costlier by increasing the fees for building permit approvals.
Ukraine
DB 2011:
Ukraine made dealing with construction permits easier by implementing national and local regulations that streamlined procedures.
DB 2009:
The cost and time for dealing with construction permits increased. All new construction projects are now subject to an infrastructure tax. And an administrative backlog has increased the time.
United Arab Emirates
DB 2010:
The time for delivering building permits was shortened by improving its online system for processing applications.
United Kingdom
DB 2012:
The United Kingdom made dealing with construction permits easier by increasing efficiency in the issuance of planning permits.
DB 2010:
The process of dealing with construction permits was eased with wider use of approved inspectors, reducing the time and number of steps required.
Uzbekistan
DB 2011:
Uzbekistan increased all fees for procedures relating to construction permits.
DB 2010:
A presidential resolution reduced building permit fees.
Uzice
DB 2012:
In Serbia, the 2009 Law on Planning and Construction simplified procedures for the issuance of construction permits and made them transferable. The impact of the new law varies across cities. In Uzice, the time required has decreased by 5 months since 2008.
Vanuatu
DB 2012:
Vanuatu made dealing with construction permits more difficult by increasing the number of procedures and the cost to obtain a building permit.
Vietnam
DB 2011:
Vietnam made dealing with construction permits easier by reducing the cost to register newly completed buildings by 50% and transferring the authority to register buildings from local authorities to the Department of National Resources and Environment.
Vranje
DB 2012:
In Serbia, the 2009 Law on Planning and Construction simplified procedures for the issuance of construction permits and made them transferable. The impact of the new law varies across cities. In Vranje, the time required has decreased by 3 months since 2008.
West Bank and Gaza
DB 2009:
Fees related to construction permitting increased total cost by almost 20%.
Zimbabwe
DB 2009:
A severe administrative backlog has substantially increased the cost of procedures relating to construction permits and led to delays for approvals.