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São Tomé and Príncipe: A Guide to Procedures, Time, and Cost for Building Development

São Tomé and Príncipe has its own set of regulations and requirements that builders must follow to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations. This guide provides an overview of the procedures, time frames, and costs involved in building development in the country.

Requesting and Obtaining Approval of Building Plans

Procedure 1: Request and Obtain Approval of Building Plans

  • Time Frame: 7 days
  • Associated Costs: STN 1,500
  • Agency: Directorate of Geographical and Cadastral Services (DSGC)

The first step in building development is to request approval for the building plans from the DSGC. The agency requires a comprehensive application package, including:

* Title of the property
* Site plan
* Architectural design
* Electrical design
* Water and sewage design
* Payment of fees

Obtaining Building Permits and Conducting Site Inspections

Procedure 2: Request Building Permit and Receive Site Inspection

  • Time Frame: 1 day
  • Associated Costs: No charge
  • Agency: Directorate of Public Works (DOP)

After receiving approval for the building plans, BuildCo must submit an application for a building permit to the DOP. The agency verifies the completeness of the application package and conducts a site inspection to confirm the information provided.

Procedure 3: Obtain Building Permit

  • Time Frame: 14 days
  • Associated Costs: STN 26,012
  • Agency: Directorate of Public Works (DOP)

Once the building permit is approved, BuildCo must pay the required fees and obtain the permit from the DOP. The agency verifies that all conditions have been met before issuing the permit.

Conducting Random Inspections and Connecting to Water Services

Procedure 4: Receive Random Inspection

  • Time Frame: Ongoing
  • Associated Costs: No charge
  • Agency: Directorate of Public Works (DOP)

During the construction phase, BuildCo may receive random inspections from the DOP to ensure compliance with building regulations.

Procedure 5: Request Water Connection

  • Time Frame: 1 day
  • Associated Costs: No charge
  • Agency: Empresa de Agua e Electricidade (EMAE)

To obtain a water connection, BuildCo must submit an application to EMAE and agree on a date for a site inspection. The agency verifies that the building meets the required conditions before connecting it to the public water supply system.

Procedure 6: Receive Inspection for Water

  • Time Frame: 1 day
  • Associated Costs: No charge
  • Agency: Empresa de Agua e Electricidade (EMAE)

During the inspection, EMAE checks if the building meets the required conditions to connect to the public water supply system. If satisfactory, the agency determines the necessary works on-site.

Procedure 7: Connect to Water Services

  • Time Frame: 7 days
  • Associated Costs: USD 124
  • Agency: Empresa de Agua e Electricidade (EMAE)

After the inspection, BuildCo signs a contract with EMAE and pays a membership fee. The agency connects the building to the public water supply system.

Requesting Usage Permits and Registration of Buildings

Procedure 8: Request Usage Permit

  • Time Frame: 1 day
  • Associated Costs: STN 3,902
  • Agency: Directorate of Public Works (DOP)

Once the construction work is complete, BuildCo must submit an application for a usage permit. The agency conducts a site inspection to verify that the construction work has been done according to approved plans.

Procedure 9: Receive Final Inspection

  • Time Frame: 1 day
  • Associated Costs: No charge
  • Agency: Directorate of Public Works (DOP)

After requesting the usage permit, BuildCo receives the final inspection conducted by the DOP.

Procedure 10: Receive Usage Permit

  • Time Frame: 12 days
  • Associated Costs: No charge
  • Agency: Directorate of Public Works (DOP)

Once the inspection has been conducted, the DOP issues the usage permit to BuildCo.

Registering Buildings and Obtaining Certificates

Procedure 11: Request Registration of the Building in the Fiscal Property Registry and the Fiscal Property Certificate

  • Time Frame: 1 day
  • Associated Costs: No charge
  • Agency: Fiscal Property Registry

BuildCo must submit two applications:

* One to have the building registered in the Fiscal Property Registry
* Another to have the fiscal property certificate issued.

Procedure 12: Receive Inspection from the Fiscal Property Registry

  • Time Frame: Ongoing
  • Associated Costs: No charge
  • Agency: Fiscal Property Registry

At a date agreed upon with BuildCo, a team of the Fiscal Property Registry conducts a site inspection to confirm the accuracy of the building’s characteristics.