Get an EPRA construction permit before building a petrol station or LPG facility
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Before you start building a petrol station, LPG plant, bulk storage depot or pipeline, apply to EPRA for a construction permit on the EPRA licensing portal with engineer-prepared layout plans and your NEMA licence. There is no fee and EPRA should decide within 45 days.
- Fee
- FreeEPRA construction permit
- How long
- Within 45 days of receiving your application
- Where
- Online on the EPRA licensing portal
What you need
- Name and address of the proposed owner
- Registration documents of the proposed beneficial owner
- Detailed layout plans and specifications prepared by a professional engineer
- Environmental and social impact assessment (EIA) licence from NEMA
- For a bulk LPG facility: its location, type and capacity
Steps
- Get your NEMA EIA licence for the site first. You attach it to the application.
- Create an account on the EPRA licensing portal and log in.
- Apply for the construction permit, attach all the documents listed and submit, before any building starts.
Watch out
- Apply before you break ground. The law says the permit must come before construction starts.
- You can't start operating on this permit alone. Before fuel or gas goes into the site you also need a NEMA certificate, DOSHS workplace registration, county building approval, county fire certificate and other approvals.
- If EPRA refuses, it must tell you the reasons in writing.
Who can apply
- Anyone who plans to build a retail fuel station, refinery, bulk storage facility, pipeline, centralised gas reticulation system or a parking place for fuel tankers.
Official sources (5)
- Petroleum Act (Cap. 308), section 86 new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- EPRA Service Delivery Charter 2026 epra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Petroleum Facilities Commissioning and Decommissioning Guidelines epra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- FAQs epra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- EPRA Licensing Portal portal.epra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026