Building Permit Requirements, Fees, Application Forms, Procedure

How to get a building permit in the Philippines? We’re sharing here the requirements, fees, and application procedure for the issuance of building permits in the country.

After saving enough money on your bank account, you finally decided to build your dream house. So you contacted your architect friend to lay out a draft of your floor plans and house design. You realized it’s also the right time when you’re required to apply for your building permit.

What is a building permit?

A building permit is a government-issued certificate allowing an entity to construct a new or existing building in a specific location. It is also a legal document granting permission for the construction of a new house or renovation of a structure.

Why do you need a building permit?

You need a building permit because you want to comply with the proper construction of a house or a building following the requirements set by law or the National Building Code of the Philippines. You want to ensure that all the proper technical, mechanical, electrical, and structural plans for the construction of the building are met.

If you build a house or a building without permission from your municipality, the house construction will be stopped until a permit has been issued or released. You’ll receive a strict notice to apply for a permit.

Types of Building Permit:

• Residential building permit
• Commercial building permit
• Revision building permit
• Demolition building permit

Building Permit Requirements in the Philippines:

1. Properly filled-up application forms duly signed and sealed by engineers concerned:
   • Building Permit Forms (5 copies)
   • Electrical Permit Forms (3 copies)
   • Sanitary Permit Forms (3 copies)
2. Five (5) complete sets of Detailed Plans
3. For construction of two-storey building:
   • Structural Design Analysis – signed and sealed by Civil Engineer at every page
4. For construction of more than two-storey building:
   • Boring and Plate Load Test
   • Seismic Analysis
5. Proof of Property
6. Photocopy of Transfer Certificate if Title (TCT)
7. Photocopy of tax Declaration of Property-lot (Certified True Copy) – 5 copies
8. Photocopy of Current Tax Receipt (5 copies)
9. If property is not registered under the name of the applicant:
   • Submit 5 copies of any of the following:
   • Contract of Lease
   • Contract of Sale
   • Affidavit of Consent of the Lot Owner for the construction of building/house
   • Deed of Absolute Sale
10. Permit Billboard (0.60 X 0.90 Plywood with the following contents):
11. Bill of Materials and Specification (5 copies) – signed and sealed by an engineer or an architect at every page
12. Locational Clearance
13. Photocopy of PTR # and PRC license of all concerned engineers and architects
14. Clearance from the DPWH if the construction is located along National Highway
15. DOLE Clearance

Those are the usual application forms you need to gather and prepare when you’re required to apply for a building permit in the Philippines. Hiring an architect or structural engineer is very helpful in preparing your building permit documents.

Some architects and engineers will provide you with the complete sets of plans needed for your permit. Architectural firms will already provide your blueprints and process your building permit upon constructing your house or building.

Somehow, you need to pay expensive professional fees for the proper structural plans of your house or building. Hiring experts is very worth it, and you’ll have peace of mind because licensed architects and engineers will guarantee the best safety standards.

How to Get a Building Permit in the Philippines (Step-by-step Procedure)

Step 1: Get the Requirements-Checklist and Application Forms from the Office of the Building Official

The first step is gathering the complete checklist of documents you need to submit to process your building permit application. Your architect mostly knows them, but you need to get the application forms from your local municipal’s office because every document must have the official seal of your municipal’s office.

Then, your architect and engineers will be the ones who will fill out the information on each application form. They know every technical detail of the construction plan.

Step 2: Go to the Office of the Building Official and Submit your Documents

The officers will now check every form you have submitted. They will arrange the documents per set, per folder. Then, they will tell you where to go next, in this case, the Assessor’s Office.

If you’re in the city hall, they usually have windows where you have to submit each folder of each set of forms. If you’re in the province, each cubicle is generally next to each other if not in the same department.

Step 3: The Assessor’s Office will issue your Acknowledgement Slip

Go to the Office of the Municipal Assessor. They will issue your Acknowledgement Slip. It bears the date of the status of your building permit application. The result of the approval of the application is usually around 10 working days.

Step 4: Wait for the Approval of your Building Permit Application

Wait for 10 business days for the result and approval of your application. Once approved and in compliance with the National Building Code, they will print out an Order of Payment for your application for a building permit.

Step 5: Present the Order of Payment at the Municipal Treasurer’s Office and Pay the Fees

The fees for the building permit range from P6,000 and above depending on your construction size, municipality location, and assessment plan. The costs of building permits in the provinces are usually cheaper than in the cities.

Step 6: Submit a Copy of your Official Receipt to the Office of the Building Official

Photocopy your Official Receipt and provide an extra copy to the Office of the Building Official’s Releasing Section. This is where you will get your building permit.

Step 7: Claim your Building Permit at the Releasing Section of the Office of the Building Official

After 5 business days, the Office of the Building Official will grant your building permit. You can now tell your architect or structural engineer about it so you can proceed with your house construction.

Other helpful guides:

• How to Get a Mayor’s Permit in the Philippines
• DTI Business Name Permit Registration Requirements and Procedure
• How to Register a Business in BIR – Complete Guide
• How to Get a DTI Permit Online