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Construction Permits in São Tomé and Príncipe: Procedure, Time, and Cost

In São Tomé and Príncipe, construction permits are essential for building projects. The process involves several steps, including requesting approval of building plans from the Directorate of Geographical and Cadastral Services (DSGC), requesting a building permit from the Directorate of Public Works (DOP), obtaining water connections, and registering the building with the Fiscal Property Registry.

Procedure

  1. Request and obtain approval of building plans from the DSGC
    • Time: 7 days
    • Cost: STN 1,500
    • The applicant must inform the DSGC that they intend to submit an application for a construction appraisal.
  2. Request building permit and receive site inspection
    • Time: 14 days
    • Cost: STN 26,012
    • The applicant submits an application for a building permit to the DOP, including title of the property, site plan, architectural design, structural design, electrical design, and water and sewage design.
  3. Obtain building permit from the DOP
    • Time: 1 day
    • Cost: STN 26,012
    • The applicant pays a fee to receive the building permit.
  4. Receive random inspection
    • Time: 1 day
    • Cost: No charge
    • The DOP conducts an unscheduled inspection during the construction phase.
  5. Request water connection
    • Time: 1 day
    • Cost: No charge
    • The applicant submits an application to obtain a water connection from Empresa de Agua e Electricidade (EMAE).
  6. Receive inspection for water
    • Time: 1 day
    • Cost: No charge
    • EMAE conducts a site inspection to verify if the conditions required to connect the building to the public water supply system have been met.
  7. Connect to water services
    • Time: 7 days
    • Cost: USD 124
    • The applicant pays a membership fee and signs a contract with EMAE to connect the building to the public water supply system.
  8. Request usage permit
    • Time: 1 day
    • Cost: STN 3,902
    • The applicant submits an application for a usage permit, which includes a site inspection by the DOP.
  9. Receive final inspection
    • Time: 1 day
    • Cost: No charge
    • The DOP conducts a final inspection to verify if the construction work has been done according to approved plans.
  10. Receive usage permit
    • Time: 12 days
    • Cost: No charge
    • The applicant receives the usage permit after paying the fee.
  11. Request registration of the building in the Fiscal Property Registry and the fiscal property certificate
    • Time: 1 day
    • Cost: No charge
    • The applicant submits two applications to register the building in the Fiscal Property Registry and obtain a fiscal property certificate.
  12. Receive inspection from the Fiscal Property Registry
    • Time: 1 day
    • Cost: No charge
    • A team from the Fiscal Property Registry conducts a site inspection to confirm the accuracy of the application.

Total Time and Cost

The total time required for obtaining construction permits in São Tomé and Príncipe is approximately 44 days, with a total cost of STN 62,912 (approximately USD 9,500).