3.1
Permits
No building or structure regulated by this Code shall be erected, constructed, enlarged,
altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished without obtaining
permit for each such work from the Building official.
Exceptions:
The following works are exempted from the requirement of a permit unless they do not
otherwise violate the provisions of this Code, for the said work or any other adjacent
property, regarding general building requirements, structural stability and fire safety
requirements of this Code:
(a)
Opening or closing of a window or a door or a ventilator;
(b)
Providing internal doors;
(c)
Providing partitions;
(d)
Providing false ceiling;
(e)
Gardening;
(f)
Painting;
(g)
Plastering and patch work;
(h)
Re-flooring;
(i)
Construction of sunshades on one’s own land;
(j)
Re-erection of portion of buildings damaged by earthquake or cyclone or
other natural calamities, to the extent and specification as existed prior to
such damage; and
(k)
Solid boundary walls less than 1.5 m and open boundary wall less than 2.75
m in height.
3.2
Types of Permit
Building permit shall comprise of the following 4 (four) stages:
(a)
Land use certificate.
(b)
Large and specialized project permit.
(c)
Building permit.
(d)
Occupancy certificate.
Permit of all or any of the above may be necessary for a particular area/city/town/
municipality. Requirement in this regard shall be incorporated in the building
construction
byelaws/rules/regulations
valid
for
that
particular
area/city/town/
municipality.
3.2.1
Validity of Permits from the Date of Issuance
The validity of permits for different purposes from the date of issuance shall be as
follows:
(a)
Land use certificate
24 months
(b)
Large and specialized project permit 24 months
(c)
Building permit
36 months (unless construction up-to
plinth level is done)
(d)
Occupation certificate
Perpetual (unless any change in use
and physical properties)
3.2.2
Permits Obtained Prior to Adoption of Code
If permit for a building or structure or a work regulated by this Code is obtained before
adoption of this Code and the building or structure or work for which the permit is
obtained is not completed within three years from the date of issuance of such permit, the
said permit shall be deemed to have lapsed and fresh permit shall be necessary to proceed
further with the work in accordance with the provisions of this Code.
3.3 Constitution of Building Permit Committees
3.3.1 As per the provisions laid out in the Building Construction Act the government
may constitute various committees to examine and scrutinize applications mentioned in
Clause 3.2 above and approve or refuse permits thereby.
3.3.2
Each committee will have specific Terms of Reference and Work
Procedure.
3.4 Application For Permit
3.4.1 Any person who intends to undertake any work on a building or structure or land
regulated by this Code shall file application in writing on the prescribed form furnished
by the Building official for that purpose.
3.4.2 Application for permit for any work under the provisions of this Code shall be
accompanied by necessary documents, drawings, certificates, clearances and other
relevant information as required by the Building Official for that particular
city/town/municipality/jurisdiction area etc.
3.4.3 The drawings shall have any of the sizes specified in the Table 2.3.1:
Table 2.3.1: Drawing Sizes for Permit Applications
Notation (ISO Standard)
Size (mm)
A 0
841 x 1189
A 1
594 x 841
A 2
420 x 594
A 3
297 x 420
A 4
210 x 297
3.4.4
Operation and Maintenance of Utility Services
The government may undertake works for operation, maintenance, development or
execution of any of the following utility services without requiring obtaining permit from
the Building Official.
(a) Railways
(b) National Highways
(c) National Waterways
(d) National Gas grid
(e) National Power grid
(f) Major Ports
(g) Airways and Aerodromes
(h) Telecommunications
(i) Electronic Broadcasting Services
(j) Any other services which the Government may, by notification, declare to be a
service for the purpose of this Section if the Government is of the opinion that
the operation, maintenance, development or execution of such service is
essential to the community.
Buildings constructed in connection with these services shall conform to the
specifications of this Code.
3.5
Disposal of Application
3.5.1 Subject to the submission of correct and complete application for the permits
included in Sec 3.2 above, should be disposed by the Building Official within the time
limit as shown in Table 2.3.2:
Table 2.3.2: Time Limit for Disposal of Application for Permits
Type of Permit
Maximum time allowed for disposal
(approval or refusal by the Building official)
Land use certificate
15 days
Large and Specialized Project permit
45 days
Building permit
45 days
Occupancy certificate
15 days
3.5.2
The Building Official shall notify the applicant according to above table as the
case may be either approval or refusal of the permit for any work. If the Building Official
does not notify the applicant of such approval or refusal within this specified period, the
application shall be deemed to have been approved provided the fact is brought to the
notice of the Building Official. Such approval shall not be interpreted to authorize any
person to do anything in contravention of or against the terms of lease or titles of the land
or against any other regulations, bylaws or ordinance operating on the site of the work or
any of the provisions of this Code.
3.5.3
Refusal of permit shall be accompanied with reason and the Building Official
shall quote the relevant sections of this Code which the application/drawings/submissions
contravene. The applicant may correct or remove such reasons and reapply for permit
with any fee if applicable. The Building Official shall scrutinize the re-submitted
application and if there be no further objection it shall be approved and permit issued.
3.6
Preparation And Signing of Drawings
3.6.1
All drawings submitted for approval shall be prepared and signed by registered
professionals as specified in Table 2.3.4, which shall be considered as equivalent to
certifying that the drawing on which the signature appears conforms to all the
requirements of this Code. Registered Professionals shall put his or her signature with
date on the title box of the drawing along with his name, address, professional society
membership number, registration number and any other information required by the
concerned Building Official.
3.6.2
The drawings shall also contain the signature, name and address of the owner.
3.6.3
Subject to the classification and use of buildings, all drawings for approval and
execution shall be prepared and signed by the registered professionals as per building
category specified in Tables 2.3.3 and 2.3.4 corresponding to relevant work.
Table 2.3.3: Building Classification Based on Height, Floor Area and Occupancy
Type
Building
Category
Height of Building
Floor Area
Type of
Occupancy
I
Up to 2 Stories or 8 m height (without
basement) applicable only for areas
beyond the jurisdiction of Development
Authority,
City
Corporation
and
Pourashava
Up to 250 m2
A (A1-A2)
II
Up to 5 Stories (with or without basement) Up to 1000 m2
A (A1-A5)
III
Up to 10 stories or 33 m height for
engineering design and supervision and
any height for land survey, sub-soil
investigation and architectural design
Up to 7500 m2 A, B, C, E1, E2,
F1, F2 and H1
IV
Any height
Any Size
All Occupancy
Type
Table 2.3.4: Eligible Registered/Licensed Professionals for Signing of Design,
Drawings, Reports and Documents
Types of
Work
Registered Professional
Minimum Experience
Requirement in Years for
Building Category
I
II
III
IV
Land Survey
Civil Engineer
NA
NR
NR
NR
Planner
NR
NR
NR
Diploma Engineer (Civil)
Certified Surveyor
Soil
Investigation
Report
Geotechnical Engineer having
experience in soil investigation and
soil test report analysis
NA
NR
NR
NR
Civil Engineer having experience
in soil investigation and soil test
report analysis
NA
Types of
Work
Registered Professional
Minimum Experience
Requirement in Years for
Building Category
I
II
III
IV
Architectural
Design
Architect
NA
NR
Civil Engineer
NA
NR
NE
NE
Diploma Architect
NA
NE
NE
Structural
Design
Civil Engineer with experience in
structural design or PEng.
NA
8 (having
5 years in
Structural
design)
Civil Engineer with M.S in
Structural Engineering
NA
8 (having
4 years in
Structural
design)
Plumbing
Design
Plumbing Engineer
NA
NR
Architect
NA
NR
NE
Diploma Engineer (Civil)
NA
NE
NE
Mechanical
(HVAC/Vertical
Transportation)
Design
Mechanical Engineer
NA
Electrical
Design
Electrical Engineer
NA
Diploma Engineer (Electrical)
NA
NE
NE
Construction
Supervision
Architect/Engineer in their
respective field or PEng.
NA
Diploma Architect/Diploma
Engineer in their respective field
NA
20*
Building
Demolition
Civil Engineer
NA
NR
Diploma Engineer (Civil)
NA
NE
NE
Completion
Report
Architect and Engineer with
experience in their respective field
NA
Note: NA: Not Applicable, NE: Not Eligible, NR: Not Required.
*Shall be countersigned by registered/licensed Architect/Engineer eligible for Building
Category IV.
3.7
Fees
All applications shall be accompanied by fees as specified by the authority from time to
time without which the application shall be deemed to be incomplete.
3.8
Responsibilities and Duties of The Owner
3.8.1
General
The owner of a building or structure regulated by the provisions of this Code shall be
responsible for carrying out the work in conformity with the provisions of this Code.
Granting of permission for any work or approval of plans or inspection by the Building
Official or any of the deputies shall not relieve the owner from such responsibility.
3.8.2
Employment of Technical Personnel
Design, execution and supervision work of any building shall be carried out by
authorized Registered Professionals as outlined in Table 2.3.4. Owner shall take the
services of as many professionals as required according to type and size of the work.
3.8.3
Right of Entry
The owner shall allow the Building Officials to enter the site for the purpose of enforcing
the Code as required by the provision of Sec 2.9.6 and for the purpose of inspection as
provided in Section 3.10 below.
3.8.4
Permits from Other Agencies
The owner shall obtain permit as may be applicable from other concerned agencies
relating to building, zoning, grades, sewers, water mains, plumbing, fire safety, signs,
blasting, street occupancy, gas, electricity, highways and all other permits required in
connection with the proposed work.
3.8.5
Information on Progressive Work
The owner shall inform the Building Official about attainment of construction work of
different stages as required by the Building Official in prescribed form.
3.8.6
Safety Measures
The owner shall take proper safety measures in and around the construction site.
3.8.7
Notice of Completion
The owner shall notify the Building Official the completion of the work for which permit
was granted in prescribed form. The work shall not be accepted as complete, without a
certification from the Building Official.
3.8.8
Documents at Site
The owner shall preserve at the site a copy of all permits issued and all drawings
approved by the Building Official. Results of tests carried out for determination of
conformity of the work with the provisions of this Code shall also be preserved and made
available for inspection during execution of the work.
3.8.9
Live Load Posted
Where the live loads for which each floor or portion thereof of a commercial or industrial
building is or has been designed to exceed 2.4 kN/m2, such design live loads shall be
conspicuously posted by the owner in that part of each storey in which they apply, using
durable signs. It shall be unlawful to remove or deface such notices.
3.9
Responsibilities and Duties of Technical Personnel
3.9.1
To qualify as Architect, Engineer, Construction Supervisor (Architect or
Engineer or Diploma Architect or Diploma Engineer) of any building works one shall
have membership of the respective professional body in the country. In addition they
shall have to qualify as registered professional through an examination (written/oral) to
be conducted by their respective professional body as per requirement of this Code.
3.9.2
Only technical professionals qualified under Sec 3.9.1 shall design, execute and
supervise any building which is subjected to approval granted under this Code.
3.9.3
Any lapses on the part of the technical personnel in delivering the requirements
of the Code shall call for punitive actions against him/her in the proper forum.
3.10
Inspection
All works relating to a building or structure regulated by the provisions of this Code for
which permits are required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official.
Modalities and frequency of such inspections shall conform to the requirements put
forward by the approving authority.
3.11
Unsafe Buildings
3.11.1
General
All buildings considered to constitute danger to public safety or property shall be
declared unsafe and shall be repaired or demolished as directed by the Building Official.
3.11.2
Examination
The Building Official shall examine or cause examination of every building reported to
pose threat to safety or be damaged by wear and tear or accident and shall make a written
record of such examination.
3.11.3
Notification
If a building is found to be unsafe, the Building Official shall notify the owner of the
building and specify the defects thereof. The notice shall require the owner within a
stated time either to complete the required repair or improvement or demolish and
remove the building or portion thereof.
3.11.4
Disregard of Notice
In case the owner fails, neglects or refuses to carry out the repair or improvement of an
unsafe building or portion thereof as specified in the notice, the Building Official shall
cause the danger to be removed either by demolition or repair of the building or portion
thereof or otherwise, the cost of which shall be borne by the owner.
3.11.5
Cases of Emergency
If the Building Official considers that an unsafe building or structure constitute imminent
danger to human life or health or public property, the Building Official shall at once or
with a notice as may be possible promptly cause such building or structure or portion
thereof to be rendered safe or removed. In such cases the decision of the Building Official
shall be final and binding and he or any of his assigned deputies may at once enter such
structure or land on which it stands or the abutting land or structure, with such assistance
from and at such cost to the owner as may be deemed necessary. The Building Official
may also get the adjacent structures vacated and protect the public by an appropriate
fence or such other means as may be necessary.
3.12
Demolition of Buildings
If a building or structure is to be demolished, the owner shall notify all agencies
providing utility services to the building. Such agencies shall remove all their
appurtenances and equipment and dismantle all service connections to ensure a safe
condition. The Building Official shall not grant any permit for demolition of a building
until a release is obtained from the utility services stating that all service connections
have been removed in the proper manner. The demolition work shall be done under the
supervision of demolition expert as per provisions of Table 2.3.4.
3.13
Validity of This Code
3.13.1
Partial Invalidity
In case any provision of this Code is held to be illegal or void, this shall have no effect on
the validity of any other provision of the Code nor on the same provision in different
cases nor on the Code as a whole, and they shall remain effective.
3.13.2
Invalidity of Existing Buildings
If any provision of this Code is held to be illegal or void by the Authority as applied to an
existing building or structure, validity of that provision or any other provision of the
Code in its application to buildings hereafter erected shall not be affected.
3.14
Architectural and Environmental Control
3.14.1
Besides enforcing the provisions of this Code for normal buildings and
structures, the Building Official shall, for special structures such as those listed in Sec
3.14.2 below, also examine the aesthetics and environmental issues vis-a-vis the existing
structures and the characteristics of the area, and exercise architectural and environmental
control in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
3.14.2
Special structures for which architectural and environmental control shall be
exerted by the Building Official shall include:
(a)
major public building complexes
(b)
buildings in the vicinity of monuments and major sculptures
(c)
buildings and structures near existing structures identified to be
architecturally valuable.
(d)
buildings and structures near historic buildings or in a area of historical or
archaeological significance.
(e)
buildings near any structures that represents the special characteristics of an
area
(f)
any proposed building or structure that represents the special characteristics
or forms part of a larger master plan of an area, and
(g)
any development that may have an effect on the environment or
characteristics of an area.
3.14.3
The Authority shall, for the purpose of exercising the architectural and
environmental control and for identifying existing structures having architectural value,
appoint a standing committee comprising noted experts from the fields of Architecture,
Archeology, Planning, History, Art, Literature, Engineering or any other discipline which
may be deemed relevant. The committee shall examine the aesthetic quality of the
proposed building, structure or development and the effect it may have on the
characteristics and environment of the area in order to ensure aesthetic continuance of the
new structure with the existing ones and aesthetic blending of the new structure with the
surroundings. The committee may require additional drawings and information for a
detailed study of the proposed work. The committee for the purpose of arriving at their
decision, may at their discretion depending on the magnitude of the project and impact it
may have on public life, hear the architect of the proposed work who may wish to explain
the various features of the project, note comments of other experts in the relevant
disciplines, or in exceptional circumstances, institute a public hearing to assess public
reaction to the project.
3.14.4
The committee may approve the proposed work, recommend changes in the
scheme, or disapprove the scheme, for reasons of aesthetics and environmental control.
3.14.5
The Building Official shall not issue permit for undertaking the proposed work
until obtaining a report from the standing committee stating that the intended work is
acceptable in respect of its effect on the environment, landscape, architectural
characteristics, historical feature or any other aesthetical quality of the locality, area or
landscape concerned.
3.15
Making Implementation Procedures
Detailed byelaws and implementation procedure to enforce the provisions of this Code
shall be prepared and published by the relevant authorities.
3.16
List of Related Appendices
Appendix A
Form for Application of Land Use/Development/Building Permit
Appendix B
Form for Certificate of Supervision
Appendix C
Form for Sanction or Refusal of Land Use/Development/Building Permit
Appendix D Form for Appeal against Refusal of any Permit
Appendix E
Form for Completion Certificate
Appendix F Form for Occupancy Certificate Last modified on August 26, 2026
