About this service
A building permit is authorization that must be issued by a government or other regulatory body before new or existing buildings can be legally constructed.
Section 301 of the National Building Code of the Philippines states that 'No person, firm or corporation, including any agency or instrumentality of the government shall erect, construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any building or structure or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a building permit therefor from the Building Official assigned in the place where the subject building is located or the building work is to be done.'
Requirements for application
Submit all of the following to the Office of the City Architect. Unless noted, submit as indicated.
- 1. Building Permit Form · 5 copies
- 2. Building plan (architectural documents) · 5 copies — a. Architectural plans/drawings: i. Vicinity map/location plan within a 2.00 kilometer radius for commercial, industrial, and institutional complex and within a half-kilometer radius for residential buildings, at any convenient scale showing prominent landmarks or major thoroughfares for easy reference. ii. Site development plan showing technical description, boundaries, orientation and position of proposed building/structure in relation to the lot, existing or proposed access road and driveways and existing public utilities/services. Existing buildings within and adjoining the lot shall be hatched and distances between the proposed and existing buildings shall be indicated. iii. Perspective drawn at a convenient scale and taken from a vantage point (bird's eye view or eye level). iv. Floor plans drawn to scale of not less than 1:100 showing gridlines and complete identification of rooms or functional spaces. v. Elevations, at least four (4), same scale as floor plans showing gridlines; natural ground to finish grade elevations; floor to floor heights; door and window marks, type of material and exterior finishes; adjoining existing structure/s, if any, shown in single hatched lines. vi. Sections, at least two (2), showing gridlines; natural ground and finish levels; outline of cut and visible structural parts; doors and windows properly labeled reflecting the direction of opening; partitions; built-in cabinets, etc.; identification of rooms and functional spaces cut by section lines. vii. Reflected ceiling plan showing design, location, finishes and specifications of materials, lighting fixtures, diffusers, decorations, air conditioning exhaust and return grills, sprinkler nozzles, if any, at scale of at least 1:100. viii. Details in the form of plans, elevations/sections: accessible ramps, stairs, lifts/elevators, entrances, corridors and walkways, functional areas/comfort rooms, switches and controls, drinking fountains, public telephone booths, audio visual and automatic alarm system, access symbols and directional signs, reserved parking for disabled persons, typical wall/bay sections from ground to roof, stairs interior and exterior, fire escapes/exits, built-in cabinets, counters and fixed furniture, all types of partitions. ix. Schedule of doors and windows showing their types, designations/marks, dimensions, materials, and number of sets. x. Schedule of finishes, showing in graphic form surface finishes specified for floors, ceilings, walls and baseboard trims for all building spaces per floor level. xi. Details of other major architectural elements. b. Accessibility plans: plans and specific locations of all accessibility facilities at scale of at least 1:100. c. Accessibility design: detailed design of all such accessibility facilities outside and around buildings/structures including parking areas, and their safety requirements all at scale of 1:50 or any convenient scale. d. Fire safety documents: i. Layout plan of each floor indicating the fire evacuation route to safe dispersal areas, standpipes with fire hose, fire extinguishers, first aid kits/cabinets, fire alarm, fire operations room, emergency lights, signs, etc. ii. Details of windows, fire exits with grilled windows and ladders. iii. Details of fire-resistive construction of enclosures for vertical openings. iv. Details of fire-resistive construction materials and interior decorative materials with fire-resistive/fire-retardant/fire-spread ratings. v. Other related documents. e. Other related documents: i. Details of windows, fire exits with grilled windows and ladders. ii. Details of fire-resistive construction of enclosures for vertical openings. f. Architectural interior/interior design documents: space plans or layouts, interior perspective/s, furniture/furnishing/equipment/process layout/s, access plan/s, parking plan/s and the like, detail design of major architectural interior elements, plan and layout of interior, wall partitions, furnishing, furniture, equipment/appliances at scale of at least 1:100, interior wall elevations showing finishes, switches, doors and convenience outlets, cross window sections with interior perspective as viewed from the main entrance at scale of at least 1:100, floor/ceiling/wall patterns and finishing details, list of materials used, cost estimates. Prepared, signed and sealed by a Registered Civil Engineer or Registered Architect.
- 3. Lot plan with vicinity map · 5 copies, signed and sealed by a licensed Geodetic Engineer — With vicinity map.
- 4. Bill of materials · 5 copies
- 5. Specifications · 5 copies
- 6. DOLE-approved Construction Safety and Health Program (CSHP)
- 7. Clearance from Air Transportation Office · For buildings 45.0m in height
- 8. Clearance from Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) · For gas service stations
- 9. Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from DENR · For large commercial, industrial and agro-industrial buildings
- 10. Land title · 5 copies
- 11. Tax declaration with current tax receipt · 5 copies, with current tax receipt — In lieu of items 10 and 11, a lot owner's consent duly notarized or deed of sale will suffice.
- 12. Folder with fastener · 2 pieces each
- 13. Logbook with signature of Civil Engineer or Architect in charge of construction · For constructions greater than PHP 50,000.00
- 14. Photocopy of PRC IDs and OTRs of design professionals and professionals in charge of works
- 15. Zoning permit and locational clearance
- 16. Fire Safety Evaluation Certificate
Steps to apply
- 01Step 1: Submit documents to Information Desk
Submit the required and complete documents to the Information Desk for records and stamp. Office action: Receive the documents, record them, stamp, and submit to the City Architect. Inform client to wait. Staff: Architect's Office Staff (Information Desk). Fee: none.
2 minutes - 02Step 2: Review by City Architect
Stay in the office while the City Architect reviews the documents. Office action: Review and check architectural design and documents. If there are concerns, client must comply and return. Staff will return documents with notes if incomplete. Staff assists client for clarifications. Staff: Architect's Office Staff, City Architect Office. Fee: none.
15 minutes - 03Step 3: Signing and approval
Wait for release of documents. Office action: Sign and approve permit and plans if no issues. Staff: City Architect Officer, City Architect Office. Fee: none.
2 minutes - 04Step 4: Release of approved documents
Receive approved documents and check completeness before leaving. Office action: Return documents and assist client to next step. Staff: Architect's Office Staff (Information Desk), City Architect Office. Fee: none.
1 minute
Office contact and service information
Processing time listed as 3 minutes and estimated fees listed as free. Contact the office for assistance.
- Office
- Office of the City Architect
- Processing time
- 3 Minutes as listed in At a Glance; step-by-step times total about 20 minutes
- Estimated fees
- Free
- Phone
- Office of the City Architect(044) 331-0667
- Office of the City Architect[email protected]
- Emergency
- MDRRMO Rescue Hotline / Emergency Hotline0915-168-9878, (044) 940-1404
- Address
- City Hall, 15 Cardenas St., San Jose CitySan Jose City Hall

