How to Get a Building Permit in Ghana: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Getting a building permit is the step many people in Ghana are tempted to skip, and the one they most often regret skipping. Unpermitted buildings can be served stop-work or demolition notices, cannot easily be used as security for a mortgage and can be difficult to sell.

The good news: with complete documents, the process is straightforward. This guide walks you through it.

The law in brief

Several laws govern building permits in Ghana:

• The Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) requires a permit from the local authority before construction begins.
• The Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) and the Land Use and Spatial Planning Regulations, 2019 (LI 2384) set out the planning and permitting system and require land use to conform to approved plans.
• The Building Regulations, 2022 (LI 2465) and the Ghana Building Code (GS 1207:2018) set technical standards for safe construction.

In practice, permits are issued by your Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly (MMDA), usually through its Physical Planning Department, with technical review by the Assembly's committees.

Which Assembly do you apply to?

Ghana has over 260 MMDAs, and Greater Accra alone is split into many of them. Your plot's location, shown on your site plan, determines where you apply. For example, central Accra falls under the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, while areas such as East Legon, Madina, Adenta and Weija sit under different municipal Assemblies. See our local pages for Accra, Kumasi, Tema and other cities.

Documents you will typically need

Requirements vary slightly between Assemblies, but a complete application usually includes:

Before you apply, make sure your land documents are in order. If you are still buying land, read our land verification checklist first.

Step-by-step: how to get your permit

Step 1: Confirm your land and zoning

Check that your land title is clean and that the intended use (residential, commercial or mixed-use) is allowed in that zone. Your Assembly's planning office can advise on permitted uses, plot coverage, setbacks and height limits.

Step 2: Get your drawings prepared

Engage a registered architect to design the building and prepare permit drawings, and a structural engineer for the structural design. Make sure the design respects setbacks and zoning rules. Getting these wrong is the most common reason for rejection. Our architectural design team prepares permit-ready packages.

Step 3: Commission a site plan

A licensed surveyor prepares (or verifies) the site plan showing your plot coordinates and the building footprint.

Step 4: Obtain any additional approvals

If your project needs an EPA permit or fire service approval, start these early, since they can run alongside the main application.

Step 5: Submit your application

Submit the completed form and documents to the Assembly's Physical Planning Department (some Assemblies now accept online submissions) and pay the processing fee. Keep copies of everything.

Step 6: Site inspection and technical review

Assembly officers may inspect the site. The application is reviewed by the Assembly's technical committee and then considered for approval.

Step 7: Respond to queries

If the Assembly requests changes or extra information, respond quickly. Delays here are common.

Step 8: Collect your permit

Once approved, pay any outstanding permit fees and collect the permit. Only now should construction begin. Keep the permit on site; inspectors may ask to see it.

How long does it take?

The official processing window is generally 30 to 90 days after a complete application is submitted. In reality, timelines depend on the Assembly's workload, the complexity of your project and how quickly you respond to queries. Incomplete applications are the biggest cause of delay.

Building permit fees: what affects the cost

Each Assembly sets its own fees, usually through an annual fee-fixing resolution. Fees typically depend on:

• the use of the building (residential, commercial, industrial, institutional),
• its size (floor area or number of storeys), and
• the location and zoning of the plot.

On top of the permit fees, budget for the professional work behind the application, including architectural and structural drawings, the surveyor's site plan and, where required, EPA and fire service approvals. Ask your Assembly's Physical Planning Department for the current schedule before you apply.

Special cases

• Storey and commercial buildings: expect closer scrutiny, structural calculations and fire safety requirements.
• Fence walls and gatehouses: many Assemblies require approval for boundary walls too, so check before you build one.
• Extensions and additional floors: these need a permit, and engineers must confirm the existing structure can carry the extra load.
• Change of use: converting a home to a shop, office or guest house usually requires planning approval.
• Sites near water bodies, wetlands or road reserves: these face strict limits and may not be buildable at all.

After you receive your permit

1. Keep the permit on site. Inspectors may ask to see it.
2. Build exactly to the approved drawings. Significant changes may need a revised approval.
3. Expect inspections at key stages such as setting out and foundations.
4. Keep records. Permits, approved drawings and inspection notes are valuable when you sell, mortgage or insure the property.
5. Ask about completion requirements. Some Assemblies issue a certificate on completion confirming the building is fit for occupation.

Building permit checklist

• Land documents checked and registered
• Zoning, setbacks and height limits confirmed with the Assembly
• Architectural drawings by a registered architect
• Structural drawings and calculations (where required)
• Site plan by a licensed surveyor
• EPA permit and fire approval (if applicable)
• Completed application form and fees paid
• Permit certificate collected before work starts

Common mistakes to avoid

• Starting work with only a processing receipt. A receipt is not a permit.
• Ignoring setbacks. Building too close to boundaries or roads is a frequent cause of rejection and, later, of demolition.
• Incomplete documents. Missing structural calculations or unsigned drawings will stall your application.
• Building something different from the approved drawings. Major deviations can invalidate your permit.
• Unclear land title. Disputed land can derail the permit and the whole project.

Let us handle your permit

Our permits, costing and consultation team prepares complete, accurate permit applications (drawings, site plans and supporting documents) and follows them through to approval, so you can start building with confidence. Get in touch to discuss your project.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Requirements differ between Assemblies and change over time, so always confirm current requirements with your local Assembly.