The Lagos State Government has ordered builders to secure permits from the State Physical Planning Permit Authority for activities like retiling and re-plastering, as per the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019.
To renovate, residents must submit applications to LASPPPA detailing the renovation and previous permits, paying a fee equal to 25% of processing fees. Applications must meet minimum planning standards for approval.
Experts stress the importance of these permits for code compliance, safety, and environmental checks. Increased public awareness and LASPPPA staff are needed for enforcement.
Many Lagos residents might not know that renovating their buildings requires a permit from LASPPPA, as per the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019.
These include activities like replacing floor tiles, and it’s illegal to do so without a permit.
Specifically, Section 5 (A.1) of the regulations clearly states, “No building shall be renovated in the State without a renovation permit granted by the Authority.”
To clarify, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019, defines renovation as any act to improve a building’s beauty, including changing windows and doors, re-plastering, reroofing, floor covering replacements, recladding, retiling, kitchen or bathroom remodeling, plumbing, and electrical works, excluding structural changes.
Lagos residents must obtain a renovation permit from LASPPPA before re-plastering, changing windows or doors, reroofing, remodeling kitchens or bathrooms, or doing plumbing and electrical works on existing structures to comply with the regulations.
Section 5 of the regulations outlines the requirements for renovating existing structures. Applicants must submit an application to LASPPPA before starting renovations, including renovation details and evidence of a previous permit, if available, with a fee equal to 25% of processing fees.
If an application lacks a previous permit, it must be submitted “As-Built” and comply with minimum planning standards for the location, incurring a 25% processing fee. Adjustments to meet standards are required before a renovation permit can be granted.
Section 5 (A.2) stipulates that an applicant will receive a Renovation Permit letter after satisfying specified conditions. Obtaining these permits ensures compliance with building codes and regulations, maintaining safety, integrity, and habitability of structures, as highlighted by architect Kingsley Cletus.
“Renovation permits include checks for environmental compliance, ensuring that the renovation work does not negatively impact the environment or violate any environmental regulations,” he said.
A real estate consultant specializing in facility management in Lagos stressed the importance of obtaining renovation permits, noting that they involve inspections by qualified officials to verify compliance with building codes and ensure safety.
This oversight reduces construction-related accidents and maintains the long-term safety and stability of properties.
Experts emphasize the need for increased public awareness about the importance of these permits and recommend expanding the workforce of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority to ensure broader compliance.
