What Are The Documents Required For Building Plan Approval In Lagos State?

Building plan approval, commonly called a building permit in Lagos, is a legally required process that ensures your construction project is safe, compliant, and secure from demolition threats.

Whether you’re building a bungalow, high-rise, warehouse or gas station, the Lagos State Government mandates specific documents based on building type and location.

This detailed guide outlines all documents required, explains costs, and helps you avoid unnecessary penalties and delays.

✅ Want a fast overview instead? → Read our simplified 10-Step Approval Guide

💡 Need help with your Building Approval?
Let our experts handle the process for you — from survey plans to architectural drawings. Click on the buttons below to 📞 Call 09025234582 or chat on WhatsApp

What is a Building Permit in Lagos?

A building permit (or building plan approval) is an official authorisation from the Lagos State Government allowing you to legally begin construction. It ensures that your structure complies with planning, zoning, safety, and environmental laws.

Why Building Approval is Important

• Avoid demolition and stop-work orders

• Meet legal and safety standards

• Increase property resale value

• Qualify for insurance and financing

📌 Click here to read a real case study of how we helped a client avoid demolition

Lagos Building Approval Document Checklist (By Building Type)

Residential Buildings

1. Firm Ground With One Floor (Bungalow)

• Architectural Drawings

• Tax Clearance Certificate

• Land Use Charge Receipt

• Proof of Ownership

• Survey Plan

2. Swampy Ground With One Floor (Bungalow)

• All of the above, plus:

• Structural Drawings

• COREN Structural Stability Letter

• COREN Supervision Letter

• Pundit Test Report

• COREN Calculation Sheets

• Subsoil Investigation Report

3. Firm/Swampy Ground With Two Floors

• Same as above, required for increased floor levels

4. Three Floors and Above

• Includes:

  • Electrical Drawings

  • Mechanical Drawings

  • PPTR Report

  • EIA Report

5. Over Eight Family Units

• All of the above

6. Land Area Over 0.5 Hectares

• Same as above; large developments require all structural and environmental documentation

Non-Residential Buildings

• Architectural Drawings

• Tax Clearance Certificate

• Land Use Charge Receipt

• Proof of Ownership

• Survey Plan

• Structural Drawings

• COREN Structural Stability Letter

• COREN Supervision Letter

• Pundit Test Report

• COREN Calculation Sheets

• Subsoil Investigation Report

• Electrical & Mechanical Drawings

• PPTR Report

• EIA Report

Petrol Filling Stations

• All of the above, plus:

  • Police Clearance

  • Fire Clearance

✅ Gas Plant requirements are similar to petrol station requirements.

Required Personal Documents (Applicant)

•    - 2 Passport photographs

•     - NIN, Name, Address, Phone Number, Email, Date Of Birth

Explanation Of Key Required Lagos State Building Approval Documents And Plans 

To obtain building permit approval in Lagos State, several documents that are needed have been listed above.
To ensure your full understanding of some of the documents and plans to achieve compliance with regulatory standards and facilitate a smooth approval process.
We have broken down and explained some of the key documents you'll need below:

Survey Plan

Must be registered in Lagos State's database. 📌 See how to verify a survey & spot fakes
📈 See current survey pricing in Lagos

Architectural Drawing

Includes floor plans and elevation used for calculating approval cost.

Land Use Planning Report (LUPAR)

Prepared by a registered town planner, includes full site analysis.

Soil Test Report

Required for multi-floor or swampy area projects. 📌 See our full guide to soil testing here

How much is the building plan approval in Lagos State

The cost of building approval in Lagos state is determined by multiplying the volume of the building (length, breadth, and height) by the prevailing rate, which is determined by the zone in which the land is located in Lagos state, then adding fencing fees

Formula for Cost Calculation
Building Volume (L x B x H) × Rate + Fencing Fees + Layout + LPO + Registration Fee.

🧾 Stage Certification Fees

35% of Building Assessment Fee (paid separately).

🧱 Example – Igbogbo Project Breakdown

• Building Volume: 1,320.33 m³ × ₦150/m³ = ₦198,048.98

• Add LPO, layout, fencing, stage fees → Total ~₦580,922.28

When seeking building plan approval in Lagos State, it's essential to understand the various fees involved. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the payments required during the building plan approval process: 

• Stage certification fee (35% of the building assessment)

• Registration and application form fee

• Building assessment fee

• Layout fee

• L.P.O (Local Planning Office) fee

• LASEMA (Lagos State Emergency Management Agency) fee

• LASPPPA (Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority) fee

• Assessment for pumps for gas stations and petrol stations

• Processing fee

• Renovation fee (for renovations)

• Penal fee (for existing buildings without approval)

• Infrastructure development charge
  
  
  Note:
  
  All types of buildings proposed to be constructed or existing in Lagos state now require a Land Use And Analysis Report (LUPAR)

Obtaining building approval in Lagos State involves various fees that contribute to the overall cost of the process. Let's break it down in a straightforward manner:

1. Building Assessment:

   1. Calculate the Building Assessment using the formula:

   2. Length×Breadth×Height×Rate+FencingFees

2. Fencing Fees:

   1. N10,000 for the first 650 sqm.

   2. N4,000 for every additional 1,000 sqm.

3. Additional Fees:

   1. Layout Fees: N100,000

   2. Registration & Application Form: N50,000

   3. L.P.O (Letter of Permission): 10% of Building Assessment for All Applications..

   4. LASEMA Fee (Commercial Projects Only): Set by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.

Adding these fees to the equation, the overall cost becomes:

Processing Fee = Building Assessment + Fencing Fees + Layout Fees + Registration & Application Form + (10 percent Building Assessment)

Understanding these costs is crucial for effective budgeting when pursuing building approval.
For personalised insights based on your specific project, contact us for our building permit services.

📞 Need Help With Building Approval?

Let our experts handle it — from survey to drawings to approval. 👉 Click here to chat on WhatsApp 📞 Or call: 09025234582