Guide to obtaining planning permit for commercial building in Lagos

Navigating the permit application process can be intricate, requiring a deep understanding of the state’s urban planning requirements and procedures.

In this article, Naijaonpoint delves into the fundamental steps and key factors necessary for securing a planning permit for constructing a commercial building in Lagos.

Based on information obtained from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the following steps outline the process for obtaining a planning permit for commercial buildings in Lagos State:

To begin the approval process for a commercial building, applicants must submit a planning permit application to the Office of Physical Planning in the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. Applications can be submitted online at www.epp.lagosstate.gov.ng/ or in person at the district office.

Here are the required documents for a commercial building permit application:

Also, a non-refundable partial payment fee of N10,000 is required for the screening and verification of the aforementioned document.

After document submission, officials at the Physical Planning office screen the features of the proposed commercial building for compliance with state guidelines.

This includes zoning, density, height, parking, and functionality assessment. Upon successful screening, the applicant pays the remaining processing fee, deducting the initial partial payment made earlier.

During this stage of the process, representatives from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development will conduct a site visit to evaluate the proposed location for the building. This assessment is crucial to verify compliance with Lagos State planning guidelines.

Furthermore, the applicable fees for assessing the proposed development will be calculated, and the applicant will be required to make the necessary payments.

Following the site inspection is the stage of professional endorsement of the planning permit by officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

During this phase of the procedure, the applicant must submit receipts verifying the payment of all fees and statutory charges levied by the Lagos State Government.

This stage involves the clearance of the Physical Planning Technical Report (PPTR) previously submitted to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. If the PPTR conforms to the established guidelines, it will be cleared for further processing.

During this phase, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development scrutinizes relevant documents and incorporates observations from on-site inspections to thoroughly assess and offer recommendations for the building permit.

During this phase, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development scrutinizes relevant documents and incorporates observations from on-site inspections to thoroughly assess and offer recommendations for the building permit.

Upon confirmation that all requirements up to this point have been met, other relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of the Lagos State Government will provide their approval for the planning permit. These include:

In this step of the process, the applicant is issued a pre-planning letter indicating correspondence from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, which signifies preliminary approval regarding the proposed building project.

After receiving the pre-planning letter, applicants are required to proceed with tax clearance at the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS).  Required documents include proof of payment for both company and personal taxes, depending on the circumstances.

Individuals need to provide their current e-tax clearance certificate and evidence of P.A.Y.E returns. For companies, a company tax clearance (CTC) certificate and e-tax clearance for two directors of the company are necessary for tax clearance purposes.

Upon successful completion of the tax clearance process, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development will issue the final approval for the construction of the building to commence.