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

Renovating buildings in Lagos requires a permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) for activities such as retiling, re-plastering, and other aesthetic improvements, as per the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, 2019.

Renovation applications must be submitted to LASPPPA, including details of the renovation and any previous planning permits.

Experts emphasize the importance of renovation permits for ensuring compliance with building codes, maintaining safety and structural integrity, and conducting environmental checks.

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.

Bottom line

Obtaining 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.

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.

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.

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

Seun, Mukina and Mynd44, we now need approval to even change our WC

This is serious oo

Sure

Crazyyyyy. LASG milking every nook and cranny. This is just absurd.

The tax man at the top and his subordinates
doing their thing. Very soon you will need approval to walk on certain roads, approval for breathing in air from the boundary of the country. So brace up for these