Building Regulations

Development in Laikipia County is controlled under national law and county requirements. This page sets out what applies. It is a summary — where it and the law differ, the law governs.

The principal law

• The Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019. Development permission is granted under this Act, and Form P.P.A 2 is issued under it.
• The Building Code. Structural design, fire safety, sanitation, access and ventilation standards.
• The Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act. Where an Environmental Impact Assessment is required, a NEMA licence must be obtained before construction begins.
• The National Construction Authority Act. Contractors and site supervisors must be registered.

What is required of every development

These conditions are attached to approvals as a matter of course:

• Construction strictly in accordance with the approved drawings
• Approved drawings and the P.P.A 2 available on site at all times
• Registered and qualified supervisors on site at all times
• Approved hoarding in place before work begins
• No permanent structure within a gazetted road reserve
• Adequate inspection notice given to the county at each stage
• Provision for fire escape
• Rainwater harvesting and adequate water storage
• Access for persons with disability

Additional conditions are attached according to what is being built and where.

Inspections

The county inspects at defined stages. Give notice before each. Covering up work that has not been inspected may mean opening it up again at your own cost.

If you build without permission

Development without permission is an offence. The county may issue an enforcement notice requiring work to stop, be altered, or be removed, and may prosecute. Applying after the fact does not remove the offence.

Ask the department before you start if you are unsure whether your project

needs permission. It costs nothing to ask and a great deal to be wrong.