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Lagos law: Builders must obtain permits for all renovations to existing structures, including replacing floor tiles

Many Lagos residents may be unaware that renovating their buildings—whether residential or commercial—requires a renovation permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).

This includes activities such as replacing floor tiles and other aesthetic improvements.

According to the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019, under the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, Cap U2 of 2015, it is illegal to carry out these renovations without a permit.

What the law says
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 provide further clarity, here is how the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019, defines renovation:

“Renovation” means any act done to cause an improvement to a building’s beauty, and shall include changing of windows and doors, re-plastering, reroofing, replacements of floor coverings, recladding, retiling, kitchen or bathroom remodelling, plumbing works, electrical works, and does not include carrying out of structural improvement or changes to the building.”

This means that Lagos residents must obtain a renovation permit from LASPPPA before re-plastering their buildings, changing windows and doors, reroofing, remodelling kitchens or bathrooms, or carrying out plumbing and electrical works on existing structures.

Failing to do so would contravene the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019.

What you need to know
Section 5 of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019 outlines the requirements for any Lagosian wishing to renovate an existing structure.

According to Section 5 (A.3), anyone intending to renovate a building must submit an application to the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority before beginning the renovation.

This application should include details of the renovation and any evidence of a previous planning permit, if available. The application process will incur a fee equal to 25% of the current processing fees.

If an application for renovation does not include a previous planning permit, the regulations specify that the application must be submitted “As-Built” and must comply with the minimum planning standards applicable to the location.
This process will also incur a fee of 25% of the current processing fees.

Should the application not meet the minimum standards, Section 5 (A.5) requires that the applicant make the necessary adjustments to comply with these standards before the renovation permit can be granted by the authority.
Section 5 (A.2) of the regulation provides that an applicant will only be issued a letter of Renovation Permit subject to satisfying certain conditions specified in the regulations.

What experts say about these regulations

To understand the rationale behind the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019, which require obtaining renovation permits from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority before undertaking any building improvements, Nairametrics consulted several building experts to gain their insights on the matter.

Kingsley Cletus, an architect, highlighted the critical benefits of obtaining renovation permits before making improvements to existing buildings in Lagos.

He explained that these permits ensure compliance with the building codes and regulations set by the Lagos State Government, which is essential for maintaining the safety, integrity, and habitability of the structure.

Cletus provided specific examples such as converting external plumbing to conduit plumbing or changing a building’s roofing from wood to steel, both of which can significantly impact the building’s stability and safety.

These modifications must be approved to ensure they meet regulatory standards and do not compromise the structure’s integrity.

“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 based in Lagos, specializing in facility management, who spoke anonymously, echoed the importance of obtaining renovation permits.

He emphasized that these “permits involve inspections by qualified officials who that renovations comply with building codes and are carried out safely.”

This oversight reduces the risk of construction-related accidents and ensures that the structure can the intended changes, thereby maintaining the long-term safety and stability of any property.

Bottom line
Obtaining [/b]renovation permits is essential for ensuring that renovation projects are conducted safely, legally, and to a high standard, benefiting both property owners and the state.

[b]However, experts emphasize the need for increased public awareness about the importance of these permits.
They also recommend that the Lagos State Government expand the workforce of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority to ensure broader compliance with the mandate to obtain renovation permits before starting any projects.

https://nairametrics.com/2024/05/18/lagos-law-builders-must-obtain-permits-for-all-renovations-to-existing-structures-including-replacing-floor-tiles/

No plumbing maintenance without government approval? Broken tiles on a bathroom floor can't be replaced without government approval?

This one is too much abeg. Why not include replacement of electric bulbs?

If these laws are made in UK or America, there will be no much problems because the enforcers will be diligent and will not use collection of bribe to frustrate house owners. In Nigeria, especially in Lagos, if the legal fee for the renovation permit is 10,000 Naira, be ready to spend at least 30,000 Naira before the agberos in charge will attend to you. They will use delay tactics to empty your pocket. If you run out of patience and do the renovation without giving them what they want from you, they will demolish your house and beat you up. The law will protect them and blame you for not getting their approval, not minding whether you tried and they frustrated you.

“Renovation” means any act done to cause an improvement to a building’s beauty, and shall include changing of windows and doors, re-plastering, reroofing, replacements of floor coverings, recladding, retiling, kitchen or bathroom remodelling, plumbing works, electrical works, and does not include carrying out of structural improvement or changes to the building.”

No exclusion in this quoted statement. They clearly mentioned replacement of widows and replacement of floor tiles. So, why do people quote me and sound as if my comment misinterprets the statement?

GeneralPula:
You can relocate back to states with no too much laws..

Is this kind of renovation law an enjoyment to you and your family? Keep drinking poison because it is served with your tribal cup.

This has always been the case. You have to get a renovation permit before you proceed to renovate your property.

Developers have the habit of building a 3 bedroom flat and then converting it to three mini flats after 2 years. Some are also of the habit of adding another floors to an existing building and call it Renovation.

If not properly approved and monitored by the regulation Agencies, this leads to distressed buildings and then collapse.

No Government should take chances.

Government dey deceive urself.

Lagos slum

Finding ways to tax the masses to the last kobo.

Very bad

immortalcrown:
No fixing of plumbing issues without government approval?

This one is too much abeg. Why not include replacement of electric bulbs?

You can relocate back to states with no too much laws..

So if I wan replace tiles from my bathroom, I go need approval...

Maybe agberos go follow me enter my bathroom to see say I wan change tiles. If my water pipe is broken I also need approval to fix it

Werey...

In the words of Martin Luther King, in his “Letter from Birmingham City jail”, One has not only a legal but moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.

I am going to speak from a professional point of view as an Engineer and somebody that has been building in Lagos State for the past 15 years.

The Lagos State regulatory Laws for buildings are more of extortionary than regulatory, this is the reason why people keep finding ways to by the laws.

There is a reason why developers keep avoiding the buidling permits and other permits in Lagos not because they dont want to be compliant but because of the tedious process, the bureaucasis and the unnecessary protocols involved.

First and formost building permits should be done by the Local governments as it is done in sane climes and not by one office in Alausa. It takes about a year before your building permits will be out that is if you "bribe" very well. Thats not good enough for businesses. Building permit should be out max three months. Some developers take bank loan to build, imagine taking loan for a project and the interest running for a year before commencement of the project.

When the construction is ongoing, Government agencies comes for stage certifications, you will think its actually to check the ongoing construction, but in reality they are coming to extort the developers or the house owners. Thats why developers can easily bribe them and achieve any sinister motive against their initial permits and approvals.

There's even an intresting situation I keep arguing with them. One of the requirements before a final certificate of complaince is issued on a structure is Builder's Document which must be provided by only a BUILDER not a CIVIL ENGINEER. I kept asking them why will a Civil Engineer erect a structure and then go and be looking for a Builder (somebody that studied building technology) to certify his job, thats absurd and crazy. I simply told them they just wanted to create jobs for builders.

The built industry MUST be regulated but the government has to be sincere, thorough and give it a human face.

Not bad at all cos many persons may want to make structural adjustments which may affect the integrity of the building.

It is duty to disobey unjust laws. We should not obey the laws of the lawless

"Widen the tax net", said the baron.

N how much individual official will b collecting b4 remitting

Interesting times

Nonsensical

Nigeria is bigger than Lagos. We really need a regional system of government.

Keep playing

does the government do approval on it's own building before doing renovations,have u gone and see many renovations of government buildings and see the rubbish and wishy-washy they do with contractors and the quality of work eventually?the law applies to the masses but not them , rubbish we know it's just an avenue to take money from the people,there are basic things and common sense tells u to do without any approval from government,

" Lagos is no man's land" they said.

Until Tinubu started dishing them free hometraining.

Now, they shout to UN, FIFA, UPS, FGGC and MI5

They foolishly allowed their hate to crown 👑 Tinubu indirectly.

He will rule for 8 years and they can only but cry

Hmmm



In another news, it pays to earn in dollars now as it hits #1500. me on telegram to learn about how to earn from the comfort of your home. Details in signature

more buildings may collapse while waiting for approval. so i will need approval to fix a leaking poopoo pipe, wahala

To build house problem and renovate na wahala

Fūck Nigerian politicians, fūck These corrupt greedy self serving politicians, fūck you reading this comment

GeneralPula:

You can relocate back to states with no too much laws..

Good idea & stop taking our Oil to Lagos.

Let each region develop its own, let's see what will happen in Lagos.

Una think say Abgero, thuggery and being a tout runs a state.

BarrElChapo:
Not bad at all cos many persons may want to make structural adjustments which may affect the integrity of the building.

I guess you don't know the meaning of renovation.
And certainly don't know what conversion is.

They can put all kind of laws in place. How about the law that will promote a green city. Starts with allocating 30% of all plots for landscaping..

What about changing my tap, changing my boxer, singlet and pant in lagos?
Do i need a permit?

I may be wrong o, but these laws are just to find chop chop for the tugs and generate more revenue. They aren't really necessary. It will only make the cost of housing rent shoot up. Nonsense and ingredients

Anything to extort the masses, they follow it through and hype it.

According to this extorting law if you rent a face-me-i-slap-you one room apartment, you will need permit to re-paint it or even install a mosquito net for the window.


This permit is just a smokescreen for collecting money from the already impoverished masses.

One tribe sells building materials....chai. If you buy building materials, ensure you are holding your permit while transporting it to your location.

We will soon seek permit for changing of curtains to blinds or even changing faulty door lock.

The aim is to generate tax and siphone.

Just imagine them asking me to seek for permit whenever I need to change the tiles in my house.

This APC govt in Lagos is no different from this ones here.

Bubu4Sea:

Good idea & stop taking our Oil to Lagos.

Let each region develop its own, let's see what will happen in Lagos.

Una think say Abgero, thuggery and being a tout runs a state.

I guess you don't know the meaning of renovation.
And certainly don't know what conversion is.

You have a comprehension problem.