How to Get Building Permit in the Philippines

It is very important to get a building permit before commencing the construction of a commercial building or a house in the Philippines. A building permit is a legal document issued by the Office of the Building Official in your city or municipality that authorizes the construction of a building.

So what is the purpose of a building permit and why go through the hassle in getting it instead of just starting with the construction? It is required by the law in order to ensure safety and see to it that the architectural plans (including structural, electrical, sanitary and mechanical plans, etc.) are compliant with the National Building Code of the Philippines.

How to Get Building Permit in the Philippines

Well, constructing a commercial building or even a house without a building permit, the local government has the authority to stop the construction. Then you will be obliged to get a building permit to resume the operation. It is essential to get this beforehand since in worst case scenario, if the architectural plans of the building does not conform with the National Building Code, there is a possibility that reconstructions are to be done.

Building Permit Requirements in the Philippines

These are the general requirements to get your building permit. Don’t worry yet if you are not too familiar with them since you can have more information on the Office of the Building Official in your city or municipality.

  1. Filled-up application forms which includes the following:
    • 5 copies of Building Permit Form
    • 3 copies of Sanitary Permit Form
    • 3 copies of Electrical Permit Form
  2. If you are the owner of the lot where the building is to be built, provide the following:
    • 5 Certified True Copies (CTC) of Original Certificate of Title (OCT)/Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) with the Registry of Deeds
    • 5 copies of current Real Property Tax Receipt
    • Tax Declaration
  3. On the other hand, if you are the not the owner of the lot, you are still going to provide the documents listed on number 2 but you need to provide additional documents. Provide duly-notarized 5 copies of the at least one (1) of the following documents:
    • Contract of Lease
    • Contract of Sale
    • Deed of Absolute Sale
    • Affidavit of Consent of the Lot Owner
  4. Five (5) complete sets of Detailed Plans
  5. If you are going to construct two-story building, submit a Structural Design Analysis with every page signed by the Civil Engineer
  6. For the construction of more than two-story building:
    • Boring and Plate Load Test
    • Seismic Analysis
    • Permit Billboard (made of 0.60 x 0.90 plywood)
    • 5 copies of Bill and Materials and Specifications signed and sealed by the engineer
    • Locational Clearance
    • DOLE Clearance
    • In case the building to be constructed is along the National Highway, provide a Clearance from Department of Public Roads and Highways (DPWH)
    • Photocopy of PTR Number and PRC Licenses of hired Engineers

How to Get Building Permit in the Philippines

Step 1:

Go to the Office of the Building Official in the municipality of city where the building to be constructed is under its jurisdiction. With a proper diplomacy, approach a person-in-charge that you are going to apply for a building permit. You should be given a checklist of requirements that you need to submit and the forms to fill-up. Your hired engineers are the one’s who are going to fill those forms.

Step 2:

When your requirements/documents and forms are ready, you can go back to the Office of the Building Official to submit them. You shall be instructed where to pass your requirements to be assessed. After the submission, you shall be given an Acknowledgement Slip. Written on it is the estimated date (usually after 10 working days) wherein your documents should have already checked and assessed.

Step 3:

On the given date, go to the office again. This time if your documents are accepted and approved, you shall be given an Order of Payment. Proceed to the Treasure’s Office to pay for the necessary fee/s.

Step 4:

Get your official receipt and present it to the releasing section of the Office of the Building Official. Most of the time, they’ll give you few more waiting days (usually 5 working days) before your Building Permit ready to be claimed.

That was the general guide on how to get a building permit in the Philippines including the requirements. If you have any questions or additional useful information regarding this, do share it in the comment section.

Comments (9)

  1. AileennDe Guzman March 1, 2018
  2. Peter Wong June 11, 2018
  3. gina July 26, 2018
  4. Hard Disk August 6, 2018
  5. Marites Vaughn November 22, 2018
  6. mitchel s. viola January 25, 2019
  7. Sheila ymana April 3, 2021
  8. Mark Pitogo April 8, 2021
  9. Mark Pitogo April 8, 2021

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