The Building Permit Application Process

Follow the typical workflow for securing a building permit through the interactive diagram below.

The Building Permit Process

Preparation of Documents

The applicant gathers all required documents, including architectural and engineering plans signed and sealed by licensed professionals, specifications, bill of materials, and proof of property ownership (e.g., TCT, Contract of Lease).

Types of Construction

The NBC dictates five types of construction based on the fire resistivity of the materials used for structural elements.

Construction Types (Type I to Type V)

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Setback Visualizer Simulation

Interact with the simulation below to see how different zoning requirements dictate the minimum front, side, and rear setbacks, and how they affect the allowable building footprint.

NBC Setback & R-1 Zoning Calculator

Calculate open space requirements for a Basic Residential 1 (R-1) lot based on the National Building Code (PD 1096).

Calculation Result

For an R-1 lot of 200 sq.m, the Maximum Allowable Percentage of Site Occupancy (PSO) is 50%, and the Minimum Total Open Space within Lot (TOSL) is 50%.
Max Footprint=200×0.50=100 m2Required Open Space=200×0.50=100 m2\begin{aligned} \text{Max Footprint} &= 200 \times 0.50 = 100 \text{ m}^2 \\\\ \text{Required Open Space} &= 200 \times 0.50 = 100 \text{ m}^2 \end{aligned}

Occupancy Classification

Example

Scenario: Changing Occupancy

An owner converts an old two-story residential house into a busy commercial restaurant without applying for a change of use permit.

Application: This violates the National Building Code. A residential house (Group A) has entirely different requirements for fire safety, exits, and structural loading than a restaurant (Group C or E depending on specifics). The owner must obtain a new building permit to legally change the occupancy classification and must upgrade the structure to meet the new, stricter safety standards.

Easements and Setbacks

Example

Scenario: Building on the Property Line

A property owner wants to maximize their lot area by building a concrete firewall exactly on the property line.

Application: This is allowed under the National Building Code for certain types of construction, provided specific fire resistance requirements are met. However, the owner cannot have any windows or openings on that firewall if it is on the property line, as it would violate the mandatory setback and fire spread regulations.

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