IN THIS POST
– Construction permit reforms
– How to obtain a construction permit
– Required documents
– Building plan fee
– One-window counters
– Receiving a completion certificate
Have you purchased a plot and plan to finally build your dream home? As most of us already know, building a house requires more than just a parcel of land and resources. While those two things are absolutely necessary, one also needs permission from concerned regulatory authority before constructing a home. Fortunately, thanks to the recent Ease of Doing Business reforms, the process of obtaining construction permits for houses in Lahore and Karachi has become relatively easier.
Since dealing with construction permits can seem a little complicated, here is a comprehensive guide on how to apply for a construction permit in Lahore.
Construction Permit Reforms in Lahore
Before we discuss the procedure to obtain a construction permit in Lahore, let’s first talk about the construction reforms that helped Pakistan jump 28 spots ahead on World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index 2020. For those unaware, the report by World Bank evaluates different economic metrics in 109 countries to determine how business-friendly they are. To put it simply, the better a country performs on the index, the more international investment it attracts.
Along with ‘starting a business’ reforms, getting electricity reforms, ease of paying taxes, trading across borders and registering property reforms, streamlining the process of getting construction permit was one of the regulatory reforms that helped Pakistan achieved the global ranking of 108. It previously stood at 136.
In fact, Pakistan is now among the top 10 most improved places to do business in the world.
In order to make the process of applying and obtaining a residential building plan approval in Lahore simpler and more efficient, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) worked together with the Punjab Information Technology Board to introduce online submission of application along with the online issuance of NOCs and completion certificates
LDA also set up one window cell to improve and simplify the process to obtain a construction permit for houses in Lahore. For timely verification of ownership and title documents, the authority also set up Punjab Land Records Authority counter at their facility along with those of the Water and Sanitation Agency, Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency and Bank of Punjab.
How to Obtain Construction Permit for Houses in Lahore
Here is a breakdown of the process to obtain a construction permit in Lahore for houses.
Step 1
Visit the concerned One Window Counter set up by the Lahore Development Authority and submit the required documents and building plan.
Step 2
Download the challan pay fees at Bank of Punjab.
Step 3
The LDA will then verify the ownership and possession letter, which takes up to 5 days.
Step 4
The authority will then scrutinize the building plan, vet the structural drawings and verify the payment etc. This internal process takes up to 14 days.
Step 5
Once all the plans and documents have been verified, the applicant will receive a text notification to collect the letter containing construction approval for houses from the Customer Facilitation Centre.
Total Time Duration: 20 Days
Documents Required to Obtain Construction Permit for Houses in Lahore
Here is the list of documents required for getting a construction permit in Lahore:
- Copy of applicant’s NIC
- Ownership or title documents (Sales deed, registry, allotment letter, intiqal, aks shajra)
- Power of attorney or authority letter (if applicable)
- Building Application Form (BR-1)
- 2 sets of Specification Forms (BR-2 and BR-3)
- 5 copies of Building Plan along with Site Plan (along with one mounted on cloth)
- An undertaking on PKR 100 stamp paper for construction to follow the approved building plan.
- In case the building plan includes a basement, an undertaking on PKR 100 stamp paper for bearing the damages or mishaps
- Signature and stamp of the architect on all plans and forms
- Signature and stamps of the structural engineer (if applicable)
- Signature of the owner(s) on all plans and forms
Please note that the above-mentioned forms can be downloaded from the official website of Lahore Development Authority.
Building Plan Fee for Residential Buildings in Lahore
The scrutiny fee for the first plans, revised plans and alteration/addition plans is PKR 5 per sq ft of the total covered area. This building plan fee remains the same for residential plots less than 5 marla to those above 2 kanal.
Meanwhile, malba stacking charges are PKR 2 per sq ft of the total covered area.
The completion processing fee, to be paid at the window, is PKR 5000.
Moreover, the fee for vetting of structure drawings from structural engineers on the panel of Lahore Development Authority is PKR 1 per sq ft of the total covered area.
One-Window Counters
The Lahore Development Authority has set up various one-window counters to facilitate the residents. For the approval to start construction of residential buildings in Lahore, you’ll probably be required to visit one of the following counters:
Town Planning Wing – Counter 23: Scrutiny of residential building plans for LDA (regular) housing schemes
Town Planning Wing – Counter 24: Scrutiny of residential building plans for LDA (private) housing schemes.
Town Planning Wing – Counter 25: For status of building plan approval and residential building plan matters among others.
Complete Steps to Receiving a Building Completion Certification in Lahore
The procedure for obtaining a completion certification in Lahore has gotten much simpler following the reforms.
From applying for construction permits for houses in Lahore to getting a completion certificate, these are the steps one needs to take while building a house in the city:
Step 1
Submit the required documents at the concerned one-window counter.
Step 2
Pay the required fees at Bank of Punjab.
Step 3
Obtain a construction permit.
Step 4
Following the completion of foundation, request Lahore Development Authority or Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MLC) for inspection in writing.
Step 5
Receive inspection from the concerned authority
Step 6
On completion of the first floor, submit the floor certificate form to LDA or MLC.
Step 7
Receive the first-floor slab casting inspection.
Step 8
Submit the second-floor Certificate Form.
Step 9
Receive the second-floor slab casting inspection.
Step 10
Request final inspection and apply for a completion certificate.
Step 11
Receive final inspection.
Step 12
Receive the completion certificate.
Meanwhile, for those who live in the ‘City of Lights,’ don’t forget to take a look at our step-by-step guide on how to apply for construction permits for houses in Karachi. In case you want to get a rough idea about how much would building a home cost you, check out our complete breakdown of the construction cost of a 10 marla house grey structure.
If you have a bigger plot, here’s an outline for the total cost of constructing the grey structure of a 1 kanal house.
To learn more about construction costs in the country, stay connected to Zameen Blog – the top real estate blog in Pakistan. You can also send us your questions and suggestions on blog@zameen.com. If you are interested in receiving the latest updates about the property sector of Pakistan, please subscribe to our newsletter on the right.
