BUILDING PERMIT

What is BUILDING PERMIT?

A building permit is an official approval issued by the local government agency that allows you
or your contractor to proceed with a construction or remodeling project on your property. It is
intended to ensure that the project plans to comply with local standards for land use, zoning,
and construction. These standards are intended to ensure the safety of current and future
owners and occupants to provide enforcement of zoning and land-use policies. Specific issues
that the building permit process may address include structural integrity of the framing work,
zoning, sanitation, water, and sewer lines, fire protection, and electrical service.

When is BUILDING PERMIT needed?

Not all home construction and renovation projects require a building permit. In most cases,
simple repairs and replacements can be performed by professional contractors or homeowners
without applying for a permit. However, any project that involves additions or major changes to a
structure or its mechanical systems usually requires you to apply for an appropriate permit from
the local building department. If you’re hiring a contractor to perform the work, he usually will
handle the permit process, factoring in the costs of the permit to his bid. If you’re doing the work
yourself, it’s your responsibility to apply for the permit.

The BUILDING PERMIT Process

- If you are planning to do the work yourself, the process of obtaining a building permit
usually goes something like this:
1. Contact your local building office and describe the project you want to do. If a permit is
required, an application form will be provided to you that outlines the requirements for
applying for a building permit. Some jobs may require multiple permits. A major
remodeling project, for example, might require a carpentry/construction permit, an
electrical permit, and a plumbing permit.
2. Prepare the permit application, including whatever additional materials may be required.
Construction projects may require drawings of the work you plan.
3. Submit the building permit application and pay whatever fees are required. The licensing
office will issue you an official permit certificate.
4. As you begin work, post the building permit certificate as required. This may mean taping
the permit to a door or window near where the work is being done.
 5. At the designated points during the work, call the inspection office to arrange for an
inspector to visit the worksite and review the quality of the work. If the inspector orders
any changes to the work, complete these changes, and have the inspector return to
review the work again.
6. Once the inspector approves the work, you no longer need to display the permit
certificate.

Tip

Many projects require two inspections—a "rough-in" inspection at a prescribed point in the
workflow, then a final inspection once the work is complete.

Can I Bypass the Building Permit?

It is unfortunately fairly common for homeowners to complete home improvement projects

without applying for a permit, paying the application fee, or having the work inspected and
approved. And while it is possible that such projects can be completed with good quality and to
never cause problems, it is not good practice to try and bypass the official permit process. Some
possible hazards include:

● If and when you try to sell your house, the buyers’ inspection may uncover remodeling
or additions that were done without proper permits and which may not be completely up
to code. This can prevent you from selling the house and may require that you undo the
previous work and start again—this time with a permit.
● In the event of a fire, structural collapse, or major plumbing problem, if it is discovered
the mishap is the result of work that was done without the benefit of permit or
inspections, it's possible your homeowner's damage and liability policy may decline to
cover the damage.

NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (P. D. 1096)

NBCP Section 301 Building Permits

- No person, firm or corporation, including any agency or instrumentality of the

government, shall erect, construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any building
or structure or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a building permit
 therefor from the Building Official assigned in the place where the subject building is
located or the building work is to be done.

NBCP Section 302 Application for Permits

In order to obtain a building permit, the applicant shall file an application therefore in writing and
on the prescribed form from the Office of the Building Official. Every application shall provide at
least the following information:

(1) A description of the work to be covered by the permit applied for;

(2) Certified true copy of the TCT covering the lot on which the proposed work is to be done. If
the applicant is not the registered owner, in addition to the TCT, a copy of the contract of lease
shall be submitted;

(3) The use or occupancy for which the proposal work is intended;

(4) Estimated cost of the proposed work.

To be submitted together with such application are at least five sets of corresponding plans and
specifications prepared, signed and sealed by a duly registered mechanical engineer in case of
mechanical plans, and by a registered electrical engineer in case of electrical plans, except in
those cases exempted or not required by the Building Official under this Code.

NBCP Section 303 Processing of Building Permits

The processing of building permits shall be under the overall administrative control and
supervision of the Building Official and his technical staff of qualified professionals. In
processing an application for a building permit, the Building Official shall see to it that the
applicant satisfies and conforms with approved standard requirements on zoning and land use,
lines and grades, structural design, sanitary and sewerage, environmental health, electrical and
mechanical safety as well as with other rules and regulations promulgated in accordance with
the provisions of this Code.

NBCP Section 304 Issuance of Building Permits

When satisfied that the work described in an application for building permit and the plans and
specifications submitted therewith, conform to the requirements of this Code and other pertinent
rules and regulations, the Building Official shall, within fifteen days from payment of the required
fees by the applicant, issue the building permit applied for. The Building Official may issue a
permit for the construction of only a part or portion of a building or structure whenever the plans
and specifications submitted together with the application do not cover the entire building or
structure.

Approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or altered without the
approval of the Building Official and the work shall be done strictly in accordance thereto.

NBCP Section 305 Validity of Building Permits

The issuance of a building permit shall not be construed as an approval or authorization to the
permittee to disregard or violate any of the provisions of this Code. Whenever the issuance of a
permit is based on approved plans and specifications which are subsequently found defective,
the Building Official is not precluded from requiring permittee to effect the necessary corrections
in said plans and specifications or from preventing or ordering the stoppage of any or all building
operations being carried on thereunder which are in violation of this Code.

A building permit issued under the provisions of this Code shall expire and become null and void
if the building or work authorized therein is not commenced within a period of one year from the
date of such permit, or if the building or work so authorized is suspended or abandoned at any
time after it has been commenced, for a period of 120 days.

NBCP Section 306 Non-Issuance, Suspension or Revocation of Building Permits

The Building Official may order or cause the non-issuance, suspension or revocation of building
permits on any or all of the following reasons or grounds:

(a) Errors found in the plans and specifications;

(b) Incorrect or inaccurate data or information supplied;

(c) Non-compliance with the provisions of this Code or of any rule or regulation. Notice of
non-issuance, suspension or revocation of building permits shall always be made in writing,
stating the reason or grounds therefore.

NBCP Section 307 Appeal

Within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of advice of the non-issuance, suspension or
revocation of permits, the applicant/permittee may file an appeal with the Secretary who shall
render his decision within fifteen days from date of receipt of notice of appeal. The decision of
the Secretary shall be final subject only to review by the Office of the President.

NBCP Section 308 Inspection and Supervision of Work

The owner of the Building who is issued or granted a building permit under this Code shall
engage the services of a duly licensed architect or civil engineer to undertake the full time
inspection and supervision of the construction work. Such an architect or civil engineer may or
may not be the same architect or civil engineer who is responsible for the design of the building.

It is understood however that in either case, the designing architect or civil engineer is not
precluded from conducting inspection of the construction work to check and determine
compliance with the plans and specifications of the building as submitted.

There shall be kept at the jobsite at all times a logbook wherein the actual progress of
construction including tests conducted, weather conditions and other pertinent data are to be
recorded.

Upon completion of the construction, the said licensed architect or civil engineer shall submit the
logbook, duly signed and sealed, to the Building Official. He shall also prepare and submit a
Certificate of Completion of the project stating that the construction of building conforms to the
provisions of this Code as well as with the approved plans and specifications.

NBCP Section 309 Certificate of Occupancy

No building or structure shall be used or occupied and no change in the existing use or
occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the
Building Official has issued a Certificate of Occupancy therefore as provided in this Code.

A Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued by the Building Official within thirty (30) days if after
final inspection and submittal of a Certificate of Completion referred to in the preceding Section,
it is found that the building or structure complies with the provisions of this Code.

The Certificate of Occupancy shall be posted or displayed in a conspicuous place on the

premises and shall not be removed except upon order of the Building Official.

The non-issuance, suspension, and revocation of Certificates of Occupancy and the procedure
for appeal therefrom shall be governed in so far as applicable, by the provisions of Section 306
and 307 of this Code.
SUMMARY:

- A building permit is discussed and implemented under P.D. 1096, National Building Code
of the Philippines.
- The application of building permits is mandated for all new and renovation construction.
- The processing of building permits shall be under the overall administrative control and
supervision of the Building Official and his technical staff of qualified professionals.
- The Building Official may issue a permit for the construction of only a part or portion of a
building or structure whenever the plans and specifications submitted together with the
application do not cover the entire building or structure.
- A building permit issued shall expire and become null and void if the building or work
authorized therein is not commenced within a period of one year from the date of such
permit, or if the building or work so authorized is suspended or abandoned at any time
after it has been commenced, for a period of 120 days.
- A Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued by the Building Official within thirty (30) days
if after final inspection and submittal of a Certificate of Completion.

REFERENCES:

StudeerSnel, B.V. (2022). Keizersgracht 424, 1016 GC Amsterdam, KVK: 56829787, BTW:
NL852321363B01. Retrieved from
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/technological-institute-of-the-philippines/building-system-
design/module-2-lesson-4-ce-104-building-systems-design-converted/18508304

Beneke, J. (2022). What is a Building Permit?. Retrieved from

https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-a-building-permit-1398344
Alegre, F. A., Areglo, K., Atutubo, J. A., Belga, A., Bo, B., Bonifacio, J., Boongaling, R.,
Cabriana, A., Buce, M., Chavez, C. (2020). Technical Documentation. Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/D1SrULFw0tg

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