House Construction Permit in the Philippines: Requirements and Application

Building a house in the Philippines requires a building permit from your city or municipal Office of the Building Official (OBO). Below is a clear guide to what you need, how to apply, expected timeline, and helpful tips.

What you need (quick checklist)

• Duly accomplished Building Permit application form (get from your local OBO or LGU website)
• Proof of ownership: Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) / Original Certificate of Title (OCT) or Contract of Lease / notarized Special Power of Attorney (if not the owner)
• Latest Real Property Tax (RPT) receipt / tax declaration (if required by LGU)
• Barangay Clearance
• 2 sets of signed and sealed plans:
  • Architectural plans
  • Structural plans (signed by a licensed civil/structural engineer)
  • Electrical plan (signed by licensed electrical engineer)
  • Sanitary/plumbing plan
  • Mechanical plan (if applicable)
• Structural computations and design analysis (for structural plans)
• Bill of Materials / Detailed Cost Estimate (signed by your professional)
• Soil investigation report (for certain lot conditions or as required)
• Contractor's license and mayor's permit (if you hire a contractor)
• Other clearances (may vary): environmental clearance, watershed, or water/utilities clearances

Step-by-step: How to apply

1. Hire licensed professionals (architect and engineer). They prepare and sign required plans and computations.
2. Prepare ownership documents and get barangay clearance from the barangay where the lot is located.
3. Submit application packet to the OBO at your City or Municipal Hall (some LGUs accept online submission). Include all plans, computations, and fees.
4. OBO reviews documents. They may request corrections or additional documents-respond quickly to avoid delays.
5. Pay permit fees once the OBO approves. Fees depend on declared construction cost and local schedule of fees.
6. Receive your building permit. Display it at the construction site.
7. During construction, expect periodic inspections by the OBO. Failures or deviations can lead to stop-work orders.
8. After completion, apply for a Certificate of Occupancy (or Occupancy Permit)-this may require a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the BFP and final clearances.

Fees & timeline

• Fees: Calculated based on total construction cost plus other fixed local charges (sewerage, sanitation, electrical inspection, engineering, etc.). Check your LGU's schedule or ask the OBO for an estimated breakdown.
• Typical timeline: If documents are complete, permit issuance can take from a few days to several weeks (commonly 10–30 working days). Large or complex projects take longer.

Common reasons for delay

• Incomplete or unsigned plans and computations
• Missing proof of ownership or expired barangay clearance
• Non-compliance with local zoning ordinances or setback rules
• Missing soil test or special clearances for hillside or flood-prone lots

Quick tips to speed up approval

• Use licensed, local professionals familiar with your LGU's requirements.
• Pre-check zoning and subdivision rules before buying a lot.
• Submit complete sets and double-check signatures and seals.
• Ask the OBO for a checklist specific to your city/municipality (requirements vary).
• Keep copies of all receipts and stamped documents.

Need immediate next steps? Visit your city or municipal hall's OBO webpage, contact the Building Official, and book a pre-application check to verify required documents.