Building permits in Senegal: where to start

Give the exact site, intended use and scope: a new building, extension, additional floor, boundary wall or changes to an existing property. Ask which authorisation applies to that project and which planning rules the service will examine.

Prepare a short written brief: current buildings, proposed floors, intended occupation and anything you know about access or drainage. Ask about permitted use, setbacks, height and any site-specific restrictions before asking a builder to price a final design. The answers need to relate to this parcel, not simply to a nearby project.

The ministry page includes land documentation, architectural drawings, an estimate, sanitation arrangements and a Cadastre-endorsed plan extract. The DGID separately identifies the competent Cadastre bureau as the source for a certified extract. Use these publications to prepare questions, then obtain the current list from the receiving service.

• Which land document is accepted for my case?
• Which drawings, professional signatures and copies are required?
• How should the sanitation or sewer connection be documented?
• Where do I file, pay official charges and collect a receipt?

An architect can help translate the brief and the service’s requirements into a coherent design package. Request a written scope stating which drawings, submissions and revisions are included. Agree who follows up with the administration and how additional work will be priced.

When comparing builders, use the same drawings and specification for each quote. Ask them to separate construction cost from administrative charges and professional fees. That makes the offers easier to compare and reduces ambiguity about what the price covers.

Retain the filing receipt, requests for additional documents, decision and approved plans. Before organising the start date, ask the service which conditions and site formalities apply. If the design changes, ask how to handle that change. A quote, land paper or submitted application should not be treated as confirmation that the proposed works are authorised.