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So, you’ve just purchased your dream piece of land in Costa Rica, and you’re excited to start building your home. But before you break ground, you’ll need a construction permit to ensure your project complies with local safety, zoning, and environmental regulations. The process may seem bureaucratic, but it’s crucial for avoiding legal and structural headaches down the line.

To help you navigate this process smoothly, here’s a general guide with all the essential documents and requirements you’ll need.

1. Hire a Licensed Architect

The first step is to hire a licensed architect accredited by the CFIA (Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos). They will design your project and guide you through the permitting process.

You can verify the architect’s registration on the official CFIA platform: https://espacio.cfia.or.cr. While this step involves a fee, it ensures your project adheres to professional standards and prevents costly mistakes later.

As your project advances, you may also need to hire engineers (structural, electrical, etc.) to approve specific aspects of the construction.

2. Obtain Public Service Certifications

To ensure your home is habitable, you’ll need to secure certifications for basic public services:

A. Water Availability

Water is a critical requirement for construction. You have two options:

1. Water Availability Letter
   • Request this from ASADA or AyA (Costa Rica’s water institutions).
   • The letter is valid for one year and certifies that water is available for your property.
   • Be aware that availability depends on the water capacity of your area. In some cases, water shortages may delay or prevent new connections. For example in Las Delicias de Cóbano, no water availability letters are currently being issued due to a shortage. However, a new well is under construction, and interested property owners can join a waiting list.
2. Well Registration
   • If public water is unavailable, you can construct a well.
     • Artisanal Well: Requires a microbiological water test and a sworn affidavit (declaración jurada) declaring the water potable.
     • Perforated Well: Must be registered and approved by the Water Department of MINAE (Ministry of Environment and Energy). This process can take 9–12 months.

B. Electricity Connection

• Request an Electrical Availability Letter from ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad).
• Required documents include:
  • A completed application form.
  • Copy of your ID.
  • Legal entity certification (personería jurídica) if the property is owned by a corporation.

The process can take a few weeks. If you’re in the Cóbano district, we’ll gladly assist with this process.

C. Sewage Certification

• You’ll need certification that your property has access to an existing sewage system or an approved wastewater disposal permit from the Health Ministry.

3. Land Use Certificate

The Uso de Suelo certificate confirms the property’s zoning and permitted uses. To obtain it:

• Fill out the form provided by your local municipality.
• Provide the following documents:
  • Owner’s ID.
  • Legal entity certification (personería jurídica).
  • Copy of the cadastral plan (plano catastrado).

If the property has unpaid taxes, the municipality will inform you during this process. ZonAzul can handle this step if you’re in the Cóbano area.

4. Environmental Impact Study (If Applicable)

An environmental study may be required to ensure your project does not negatively impact the surrounding environment. However, for homes smaller than 500 square meters and earthworks under 200 cubic meters, this step may not be necessary.

5. Worker Insurance

You’ll need to purchase insurance from INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) for workers on your project. This typically costs 1% of your project’s total value.

6. Submit Your Plans to the Municipality

Once all documents are gathered and requirements met, your architect will submit the complete construction plans to the municipality for approval. This step also involves a fee of 1% of the project cost.

Additional Tips and Services

• Need assistance? At ZonAzul, we specialize in finding your dream property in the Santa Teresa area. Whether you need help finding an architect, securing public service certifications, or understanding permit requirements, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
• Stay organized. Keep copies of all documents and follow up regularly with the relevant institutions to avoid delays.

Building your dream home in Costa Rica is an exciting journey, and with the right preparation, the process can be smooth and rewarding.

Pura Vida!

Click here to find the property that best suits your needs.

We will be by your side before, during, and after the acquisition of your property to help you with administrative and legal procedures.

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