In Angola the land originally belongs to the state and strategic planning/zoning is mainly governed by a planning policy, framed by law – Law on Land and Urban Planning, Land Law and General Regulations on Territorial, Urban and Rural Planning – which is implemented through national, sectorial, special, provincial and local development and urban plans. Yet, only a small number of the development and urban plans foreseen in the law is in force. While there are no conditions to the full implementation of the planning system the planning or zoning may be governed by supplementary or contractual instruments.
At the end of 2015 the Master General Plan of the Metropolitan Area of Luanda (Plano Director Geral Metropolitano de Luanda) was approved. This provides the guiding principles for the growth of the Angolan capital and sets out the means and actions to be implemented by 2030.
Last modified 1 Aug 2019
Yes, planning permission will normally be required before any new building is erected or to refurbish an existing building. Where there are no urban plans approved, supplementary or contractual instruments provides if landowner may construct a new building or refurbish an existing building.
Last modified 1 Aug 2019
Yes, planning law may control the design and appearance of new buildings, in particular the Detail Plans (Planos de Pormenor). The method of construction is governed by the General Regulations on Buildings (Regulamento Geral das Edificações Urbanas).
Last modified 1 Aug 2019
Yes, the municipal plans must define the permitted use for the land or building and the permitted use changes.
Last modified 1 Aug 2019
Various pieces of legislation deal with which authorities are responsible for regulating the development and designated use of individual parcels. In general, responsibility for regulating development and designated use of individual parcels of land largely lies with provincial and local authorities. Provincial and local authorities draw up and approve the plans for land planning and these are usually the competent authorities to conduct control procedures for any urban operation. However, as a rule, an approval of the urban plans by the central government is required.
Last modified 1 Aug 2019
This depends on the nature of the development and can only be determined on case by case basis. For example, to implement industrial and tourist projects, other specific authorizations/licences are required. On the other hand, public and private projects considered by the law as likely to have significant effects on the environment are subject to environmental licences and permits.
Last modified 1 Aug 2019
Decree No. 80/06, of 30 October 2006, governs the process of licensing for obtaining permission for development or carrying on a new designated use in urban areas.
The licensing process comprises common procedures and special procedures. Common procedures apply to permit requests for all types of urban operations to be held in urban areas with urban plans or supplementary instruments approved. The special procedures are of a contractual nature, being applicable to permit requests for urban operations to be held in urban areas without approved urban plans or in other specific situations.
In any case, the licensing process involves the submission of an application form together with some required documents and elements, which vary depending on the operation, to be submitted to the Governor of the Province where the land or building is located. Consultations to other administrative bodies may be required. The Governor of the Province may delegate the licencing authority in the municipal entities.
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Under Angolan law building and use permits can be challenged by third parties (such as neighbours) that hold a direct or personal interest or, irrespective of having a personal interest, acting for the protection of land planning values.
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Depending on the location of the land, there may be an obligation to consult one or several administrative entities who may issue binding opinions within the licencing procedures.
Courts do not directly intervene in administrative procedures.
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This depends on the subject matter of the application and on the location of the land. The law provides some deadlines for decision (for example, 30 working days to approve the design project of a building if there is no consultation to other entities) but those deadlines are indicative.
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Yes. There is a right of appeal against a relevant authority's decision in respect of an application for permission for development or the carrying on of a designated use (for example, in case of refusal). Broadly speaking, all administrative acts may be challenged before the courts. In some cases, the right of appeal to the courts requires prior administrative appeal.
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Yes, some forms of development will require that the developer and the local or governmental authorities enter into an agreement under which the developer undertakes in particular to pay or to execute some public facilities that are necessary for the project.
Last modified 1 Aug 2019
The deadline for execution of the works is established in the licence or permit itself. The deadline may be extended. If the works are not completed within the deadline or within the deadline resulting from the extension, the licence may expire.
As a rule, the use permit does not have a deadline.
Last modified 1 Aug 2019
The deadline for execution of the works is established in the licence or permit itself. The deadline may be extended. If the works are not completed within the deadline or within the deadline resulting from the extension, the licence may expire.
As a rule, the use permit does not have a deadline.
Last modified 1 Aug 2019
Are there any legal restrictions on the designated use to which any new building may be put or on any change in the designated use of an existing building?
Yes, the municipal plans must define the permitted use for the land or building and the permitted use changes.
Last modified 1 Aug 2019