Obtain an application form for a building and zoning permit
Agency: Koror State Planning Commission
The application form has two pages: the first one contains information about the building, while the second indicates the clearances to be signed by the following agencies:
- National Bureau of Land and Survey
- Bureau of Arts and Culture
- Environmental Quality Preservation Board (EQPB)
- Public Works (for utilities)
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request a clearance from the National Bureau of Land and Survey
Agency: National Bureau of Land and Survey
Public land should be cleared by the Koror State Public Land Authority. Private land should be cleared by the National Bureau of Land and Survey. The authority will inspect the land to confirm ownership and to verify the boundaries.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Receive inspection and obtain clearance from the National Bureau of Land and Survey
Agency: National Bureau of Land and Survey
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request historical clearance from the Bureau of Arts and Culture
Agency: Bureau of Arts and Culture
All projects involving earthmoving and/or alteration or demolition of any property require a clearance. This includes signposts, house construction or renovation, and road paving. The permit application must be submitted to the Bureau of Arts and Culture (BAC) before any work begins.
A complete application includes:
- Completed application form
- Location map, identifying the exact location and nearby landmarks
- Project plan, showing footprint of project (floor plan, road plan, etc.)
- Lot map showing lot number
BAC staff will check that the application is complete and will schedule a site visit and make an assessment. If it is determined that there will be no adverse affect on any historical sites, the permit is issued.
If the assessment reveals there will be an adverse affect, further information may be requested, including a consultation to decide if a more detailed archaeological survey or preparation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is needed to ensure the historical sites are protected as well as possible. The applicant will be informed of any additional requirements.
BAC has up to 90 days to review and comment on permits. However, a historical clearance permit typically takes around two weeks to process. If there are no objections to the work, the clearance is approved by the office and BuildCo is notified when it is ready for pick up. If additional information is requested, or if the application is incomplete, the process can take longer. In order to ensure that there is no delay to starting the project, it is recommended that applicants apply for their permit at least 90 days prior to the anticipated start date.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Receive inspection and clearance from the Bureau of Arts and Culture
Agency: Bureau of Arts and Culture
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request a clearance from the Environmental Quality Preservation Board (EQPB)
Agency: Environmental Quality Preservation Board (EQPB)
Any construction project that involves earthmoving requires an approval from the Environmental Quality Preservation Board (EQPB), which will inspect the building site. In some instances, according to EQPB Regulation No. 240161, an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement should be obtained. An environmental assessment can be completed in months; an environmental impact statement could take 1 year or more. Finally, projects must be discussed at an EQPB board meeting, which is held every other Thursday.
Time and cost: 21 days, USD 100
Receive inspection from the Environmental Quality Preservation Board (EQPB)
Agency: Environmental Quality Preservation Board (EQPB)
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain clearance from the Environmental Quality Preservation Board (EQPB)
Agency: Environmental Quality Preservation Board (EQPB)
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request clearance on utilities from the Public Works Authority
Agency: Public Works Authority
The Public Works Authority checks the plumbing system and the distance between the building and the public line.
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
Receive inspection and clearance from the Public Works Authority
Agency: Public Works Authority
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and obtain the building permit from the Koror State Planning Commission
Agency: Koror State Planning Commission
The board meets on the last Wednesday of every month. The officials inspect the site to verify the submitted information. It takes at least 10 days for the authority to confirm whether the file is complete. The building permit is valid for 2 years. Time varies from a week to 2 months; for commercial development, it is 15 – 30 days.
Time and cost: 14 days, USD 6,511
Receive pre-construction inspection by State Planning Commission
Agency: Koror State Planning Commission
According to the State Planning Commission, at least four inspections are normally carried out before construction starts and during construction: inspections of the foundation, inspections of the surroundings and structure of the building, and a final inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive foundation inspection
Agency: Koror State Planning Commission
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection on surroundings
Agency: Koror State Planning Commission
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection on structure
Agency: Koror State Planning Commission
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request an occupancy permit
Agency: Koror State Planning Commission
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive final inspection
Agency: Koror State Planning Commission
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain occupancy permit
Agency: Koror State Planning Commission
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and connect to water services
Agency: National Public Works Department, Water Unit, Ministry of Resources
The agency in charge is the National Public Works Department’s Water Unit at the Ministry of Resources.
The documents needed to apply for water connection include a map and land location. The application fee is USD 15.00 for residential establishments and USD 30.00 for commercial establishments. A specialized meter fee must also be determined.
Time and cost: 14 days, USD 30
Build a Septic Tank
Agency: Private Contractor
There is no public sewerage system in Koror. BuildCo must therefore build a septic tank to deal with its wastewater and comply with local regulations.
Time and cost: 11 days, USD 20,000
