Get building plans approved by Kiambu County
County Government of Kiambu · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Apply to the Kiambu County physical planning department with the architectural and structural application forms (KSh 1,000 each), then pay the vetting fee for your plinth area. The county issues the development permit only after you pay; for example a new 94-140 sq.m house in an urban area pays KSh 10,125 architectural vetting.
- Fee
- KSh 1,000Architectural (building plans) application formKSh 1,000Structural engineering application formKSh 5,400Architectural vetting, new house 0-46 sq.m, urban areaKSh 10,125Architectural vetting, new house 94-140 sq.m, urban areaKSh 8,100Architectural vetting, new house 94-140 sq.m, peri-urban areaKSh 6,480Architectural vetting, new house 94-140 sq.m, other areasKSh 5,063Structural vetting, new house 94-140 sq.m, urban areaKSh 16,200Architectural vetting, new commercial building 0-46 sq.m, urban areaKSh 1,000Site construction board permit, single dwellingKSh 9,000Post-approval site inspection, single dwelling (per unit)
- Where
- In person at the Kiambu County Department of Land, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development. No working online submission portal was found on the county website.
What you need
- Architectural (building plans) application form, bought from the county
- Structural engineering application form, bought from the county
Steps
- Buy the architectural and structural application forms from the county and have your architect and engineer fill them in with the plans.
- Hand in your application for a development permit to the county department responsible for physical planning.
- Pay the vetting fees for your plinth area. The county issues the permit only after you pay and meet the other legal requirements.
- Before building, get the site construction board permit and put up the board. The county inspects the site after approval.
Watch out
- Building without a development permit is an offence: a fine of up to KSh 500,000, up to a year in jail, or both.
- The permission lapses if you don't start building within 3 years or don't finish within 5 years.
- Not displaying the standard site board costs a penalty of KSh 5,000 for a single house and KSh 10,000 for a commercial building.
Who can apply
- Anyone who plans to put up a building or structure in Kiambu County must apply for a development permit.
Official sources (2)
- The Kiambu County Finance Act, 2025 (Kiambu County Acts No. 6) kiambu.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Land, Housing, Physical Planning & Urban Development (department page) kiambu.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026