1. Summary:

The Building Proclamation No. 1356/2024 establishes a comprehensive legal framework for regulating construction in Ethiopia by enforcing standardized design, mandatory permits, and strict supervision to ensure safety, accessibility, and compliance with urban plans. It creates institutional authorities to oversee building activities, introduces inclusive design principles, and provides mechanisms to control unsafe structures while giving regional governments flexibility in implementation.

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• Purpose of the Law:

• Ensures safe, standardized, and sustainable building construction.
• Protects public safety, health, and environment.
• Promotes accessible buildings, especially for people with disabilities.

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• Scope and Timeline:

 Applies to:

• Urban centers/cities with a population of 10,000 or more  
• Public buildings, real estate, industrial and modern agricultural buildings (even outside cities)

 Does not apply to:

• Buildings completed before the law
• Ongoing constructions with prior permits (with some exceptions

Permit Validity: If construction does not begin, a construction permit expires within six months. If work has started, maximum completion extensions vary by category, ranging from 2 years and 6 months (Category A) up to 6 years (Category D) before a design must be re-approved

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• Key concepts:

· Building Standards: Mandatory national standards for design and construction.

· Plan Agreement: Confirms building design complies with city plans.

· Universal Design: Buildings must be accessible to all (including disabled persons).

· Dangerous Building: Structures unsafe or beyond service life.

· Service Change: Changing building use requires approval

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• Key Words

Construction permit, Building use permit, Universal Design, Fire Safety, Public Safety Fence, Green Construction, Stormwater Management, Professional Liability, Demolition Order,

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• Classification of Buildings:

Buildings are classified into specific categories based on height, structural spans, and intended use to determine the level of regulatory oversight required:

• Category ‘A’: One-story residential buildings with a height under 7 meters between floors/structural configurations.
• Category ‘B’: Residential or apartment buildings between two and four stories, or single-story structures with spans between 7 and 12 meters.
• Category ‘C’: Buildings with heights between five and twelve stories above ground, or structures with spans between 12 and 19 meters, including factories and public utilities.
• Category ‘D’: Buildings exceeding twelve stories above ground, or those with structural spans greater than 19 meters, alongside critical public utility, workshop, or industrial infrastructure
• Building Permit System:

 Construction requires:

• Approved design
• Plan agreement
• Building permit

 Permits ensure compliance with:

• Zoning
• Infrastructure
• Safety standards

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• Accessibility Requirements

 Mandatory inclusive design for:

• People with disabilities
• Vulnerable groups

 Existing public buildings may need upgrading for accessibility

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•  Construction Safety, Waste, and Fire Management
• Public Safety Precautions: Employers must erect protective fences or shelters before construction/demolition to prevent public danger. Contractors working on Category B and C buildings must provide liability insurance/guarantees against quality failure damages.
• Environmental Controls: Property owners must implement proper methods to control and dispose of stormwater runoff safely, and non-residential facilities must designate sufficient space for solid waste storage.
• Fire Safety: All public utility buildings must be constructed with fire-resistant materials following Ethiopian Building Standards. Fire extinguisher systems must be certified, regularly checked, and installed by licensed individuals

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1. Violations, Penalties, and Appeals
2. Professional Accountability: Consultants or contractors who intentionally fail to uphold standards, or prepare designs that ignore the building proclamation, face prison sentences, fines (up to 150,000 ETB), and potential suspension of their professional licenses for up to 5 years.
3. Appeals: To address grievances arising from permit denials or regulatory decisions, an Appeal Hearing Board composed of diverse technical professionals will be formed in participating cities

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1. Entry into Force: May 7, 2024

Repeals:  Building Proclamation No.624/2009

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