Development & Building Permit

Development and Building permitting is the main instrument for controlling or managing physical development. Development permit in this context refers to permits issued in relation to planning and building applications Effective development management promotes orderliness, convenience of movement, public safety and enhanced economic development.

Development Permitting deals with the correct use the land, the appearance of the proposed building and the effect that the development will have on the general environment and neighbouring properties.

A development permit is a written permission authorizing a person to carry out development in accordance with conditions specified in the permit. Such development permit shall give due considerations to matters relating to zoning, planning standards and structural conditions of the proposed development.

A Building Permit allows construction of buildings or structure to proceed on condition of compliance to building code.

A Building Permit deals with the manner in which a building is constructed, eg its structural stability, fire resistance, weather resistance, etc.

Statutory requirements for a Development/Building permit

  1. Submit your full set of application to the Physical Planning Department
  2. Attach completed  land ownership  document from Lands Commission
  3. Attach four copies of architectural drawings signed by a certified Architect
  4. Attach four copies of structural drawings signed by an Engineer
  5. Proposed development must conform to zoning status
  6. A certified soil test report
  7. Fire certified report including drawings from the Ghana National Fire Service
  8. Environmental Protection Agency Permit
  9. Structural integrity report in case construction development has already commenced or is completed
In addition to the statutory requirements above, in ACDA the following requirements also apply;
  1. Business Registration Certificate (for organizations).
  2. Business Operating Permit (for organizations).
  3. Up to date Property Rate payment (Existing Buildings)
Note: For Organisations: A developer may be asked to provide additional information depending on usage, size, etc. For Existing Buildings: Some Development Projects require a prior application for “Planning Permission –in- Principle” before application for a substantive Development /Building permit.

Activities that require Development and Building permit

  • All physical development involving the erection of any structure,
  • making of structural alteration or transformation of any structure,
  • execution of any works or installation of any fittings in connection with any structure,
  • engineering, mining or other operations on, in, under or
  • over land or the material change in the existing use of land or building comprising among others the sub-division of land,
  • disposal of waste on land including the discharge of effluent into a body of still or running water and
  • the erection of an advertisement or other hoarding among others shall require a development permit.
Any transformation to a building or structure to restore it to its original state in terms façade, fixtures or sewage system shall require a renovation permit from the Assembly. Also, a transformation or alteration of any permitted structure or building which results in structural changes (remodeling) shall require a permit from the Assembly
Any temporary structure or fence erected round a building or construction site shall require a planning permit Public safety shall be ensured and pollution in relation to air, water, noise and soils shall be avoided or properly mitigated. A hoarding permit shall be incorporated into all Development applications (except for already fenced structures of property) and treated as one application.
In the event that, a developer proposes to carry out any development that may be at variance with the allowable planning consideration for an area, the person may apply for planning permission- in- principle by submitting the Perspective (not details) of the proposal for planning approval before actual development application. For instance, an applicant who may want to put up a high rise apartment in a typical low rise residential area. Check List/Guidelines for Application in Principle (AIP)
  1. Perspective Drawings
  2. Floor Plans
  3. Land Document (Indenture or Certificate)
  4. Project Brief
  5. Evidence of Neighbourhood Consultation
  6. Preliminary Traffic Impact Assessment Report (T.I.A.)
  7. Waste Management Plan
  8. Soft copies of the plans on CD
In the event that, a development proposal does not conform to the approved planning scheme in terms of Land use, the applicant would be advised to apply for a change of use if it is a plot of land. However, if the development proposal affects a larger parcel of land, then the applicant would be required to apply for rezoning. The requirement for a change of use or rezoning shall be in accordance with the following:
  1. An official application backed by a Planning Justification Report endorsed by a certified Planner shall be submitted to the Physical Planning Department.
  2. The Report must provide relevant information such as a publication of the Application, evidence of Land ownership and the planning merit of the application.
In the event that a property owner intends to assign an interest on a portion of plot to another person or entity, there is the need for planning permission to be granted by the Assembly. On the other hand, in the event that a property owner intends to merge tow or more plots under one interest, or for a particular project, planning permission is required from the Assembly. In these instances, the following requirements shall apply:
  1. An official application backed by a Planning Justification Report endorsed by a certified Planner shall be submitted to the Physical Planning Department.
  2. The Report must provide relevant information such as a publication of the Application, evidence of Land ownership and the planning merit of the application.
A development/building permit issued is valid for 5years as per Instrument 7 of L.I.1630, 1996 (5 years). Consequently, a developer who is an enables to complete development shall apply for planning permission for an extension of time.
A developer is required to apply for a completion certificate for habitation before occupying a building after completion as per Regulation 10-7 L. I. 1630, Act 925, Section 161
A temporary structure is any physical structure constructed, installed or placed on spaces zoned for permanent uses and meant to facilitate the construction of a permanent structure, serve short term emergency needs or facilitate small scale business operations. The temporary permit shall be renewable every six months for a period not exceeding five years.
  • Permits for Temporary structures shall be issued to developments that are not permanent in nature.
  • Permits for Temporary structures shall be renewed every 6 months.
Temporary Structure Permit applications shall be presented on form. The basic requirements for a temporary structure permit are:
  1. Application form
  2. Evidence of good title to the land or permission from relevant stakeholders
  3. Site Plan to the scale of 1:2500 or 1:1250 and conforming to the local plan of the area
  4. Block Plan to the scale of 1:50
  5. Designs of proposed temporary structures
An applicant shall be required to obtain all necessary approvals, permits and licenses from relevant central and local government authorities.
Regularization of permit shall be undertaken for all structures that have been developed without permits. Only structures that meet minimum condition for the grant for regular development permit shall qualify for the grant of regularization permit All applications to regularize permits for existing structures shall be required to submit all requirements listed for the category of such structures in addition to Structure Integrity Report
The addition of a usable area or utility space to an existing structure shall constitute an extension. Applications for permit to extend existing structures which do not have prior permit shall be treated solely as applications for regularization of permit.
All demolition works shall require permit from the Assembly. Sufficient precaution shall be taken to safeguard public safety, health, adjoining properties and properties with heritage significance.  Pollution in relation to air, water, noise and soils shall be avoided or properly mitigated.  Application for Demolition Permit Persons seeking to apply for demolition permit shall complete an application form designed for the purpose including information that ensures that the following basic requirements have been fully fulfilled:
  1. Site plan
  2. Block plan
  3. Demolition plan and precautions outlined
  4. Current Pictures of the structures to be demolished
  5. Acknowledgment of utility services disconnection (electricity, water, sewer, etc)