In line with Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable national development and orderly urban growth, all buildings constructed in the country must obtain a building permit before any construction work begins.
Some urban residents who engage in construction need to understand that there are regulations governing how buildings must be put up.
This requirement is established under article which determines the categorization of buildings and outlines procedures for applying for and granting building permits.
According to the law, individual or institution may undertake any building project except for those classified under Category 1 or Category 6 without first obtaining a building permit from the relevant authority.
Umuhire Janvier , The Building Regulation Specialist in Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) emphasizes that building permits are essential to ensure that all construction aligns with safety standards, land use regulations and the broader principles of sustainable urban development.
Categories of Buildings and Permit Requirements
Category 1 and category 6:
Buildings in these two categories are exempted from formal building permits but still require authorization from authorities.
Category 2:
Residential buildings with a total floor area not exceeding 200 square meters, non-storeyed and without a basement, accommodating no more than 15 people.
Category 3:
Buildings with a total floor area not exceeding 1,500 square meters, on a plot not larger than 1,000 square meters, with a maximum of two storeys (G+1) no basement, accommodating up to 50 people, and not exceeding 7 meters in height.
Category 4:
Buildings of three storeys (G+2) or more, with or without basements and accommodating up to 500 people.
Category 5:
Includes sports and leisure facilities, social, cultural, assembly and religious buildings, health facilities, educational institutions…
The Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) further clarifies that all building and construction activities must comply with the Rwanda Building Code (RBC), along with related legal instruments, including:
Minister Jimmy Gasore of MININFRA told RTV that all construction activities must comply with the master plan, and that builders are required to follow established guidelines and possess valid construction permits. He explained that the City of Kigali is now using drones to collect data on housing and construction patterns. These drones capture images and compare them with approved construction documents, making it easier to identify those who meet the required standards and to detect individuals who violate construction regulations.
Urban planning laws, permitting and rural planning laws, land use and management law, national Construction Standards
All relevant laws and codes are publicly available and serve as a comprehensive framework to promote safe, sustainable, and environmentally responsible construction throughout Rwanda.
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