Local expertise

House construction in Kathmandu

Urban premium homes, strict municipal compliance, and compact-plot optimization across Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

4
Local service areas
Kathmandu
Kathmandu Metropolitan City
100%
Engineer-led supervision
Permit process

Naksha pass process in Kathmandu

Kathmandu uses a Single Building Permit System through eBPS. The official process states that an electronic application normally takes 25-30 days to reach building construction permit certificate and approved drawings when the file is complete.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City eBPS

Approval flow

Source-backed from Kathmandu Metropolitan City eBPS building permit process, document list, fee schedule, and completion certificate flow.

  1. Day 1

    Submit electronic application

    Submit drawings to the metropolitan city with the land title certificate and owner/company identity through the eBPS workflow.

  2. Day 2

    File moves to ward office

    The municipality forwards the file to the ward office where the land is located for local verification.

  3. Day 4

    Ward field check and neighbour notice

    Ward staff check the site and send notice to neighbouring landholders.

  4. Day 8-23

    Notice maturation and local inquiry

    The notice period matures, then the ward conducts local inquiry or sarjmin before returning the file.

  5. Day 27-29

    Municipal approval stage

    The ward sends the file back and KMC starts issuing the construction permit certificate and approved drawings. At least one neighbour consent is expected; otherwise the owner may need a commitment letter for future disputes.

Documents

Prepare before filing

  • Identity document of owner or company registration certificate
  • Certification by a registered architect or engineer
  • Cadastral extract / napee map
  • Proof of land ownership or lease
  • Building plans and lot plan
  • Proof of municipal tax payment
  • Structural plans
  • Originals of submitted documents for verification at the municipality
Fees

Published charges / checks

Residential building
Rs. 25 per sq. ft.
Commercial / institutional / hotel
Rs. 35 per sq. ft.
Ownership transfer, multiple time
Rs. 7 per sq. ft.
Ownership transfer, one time
Rs. 5 per sq. ft.
Usage change
Rs. 5 per sq. ft.
Completion certificate
Rs. 2 per sq. ft.
Revised drawing
Rs. 1 per sq. ft.
Designer fee
NPR 2,000 per designKMC also lists an annual designer licence renewal fee.
Before submission

Pre-filing checks

Land and ward file

  • Confirm the plot ward, kitta, road access, cadastral extract, land title, owner identity, and latest municipal tax payment before drawing submission.
  • Resolve neighbour/boundary consent early. KMC's process explicitly requires at least one neighbour consent or a commitment letter accepting responsibility for future disputes.
  • Keep original documents ready for verification at the Metropolitan City, not only scanned copies.

Designer and eBPS setup

  • Use a municipality-licensed designer/engineer; KMC lists designer certification, annual renewal, and a per-design fee.
  • Check the active KMC eBPS reference set before final plotting: Building Construction Standard 2080, first revision 2082, NBC 105 seismic code, NBC 206 architectural requirements, and NBC 208 sanitary/plumbing.
  • For projects needing environmental study, KMC's 2080 revision says temporary plinth-level approval is processed after the approved BES/IEE/EIA-based drawing is submitted.
Design checks

Code and drawing review

Road width and building use

  • For mixed, commercial, institutional, or hotel use outside the old urban area, KMC's 2080 first revision requires the main road connected to the land and the access from entrance point to plot to be at least 6 m.
  • For education, health, cinema, assembly hall, and similar public-gathering uses outside the old urban area, the same KMC revision requires at least 8 m access.
  • Residential FAR should be checked by zone and use; Nepal's building bylaw reference book gives KMC examples of FAR 2.5 for residential and 3.5 for commercial buildings.

Height, basement, and code

  • KMC's 2080 first revision treats a basement floor-to-lowest-beam height up to 2.75 m as one basement for standard/fee purposes; above 2.75 m is treated as double basement.
  • Buildings above 17 m, or above maximum five storeys, need stricter setback review from ground level according to KMC's revision notes.
  • NBC 105:2025 covers seismic analysis and design requirements; final structural submission should align with NBC seismic, architectural, and sanitary/plumbing references active in eBPS.
Inspection

Field and compliance checks

  • KMC may conduct risk-based field visits during construction.
  • Construction should follow the approved drawing set and building-code conditions.
  • Design revisions usually happen around setback, FAR, structural, sanitary, or access conflicts.
Completion

Certificate and handover

  • Completion certificate is mandatory after construction.
  • KMC lists a 7-10 day completion-certificate process after application.
  • Municipality inspects the site against approved drawings and building codes, prepares a photo-backed field report, and routes it through engineer approvals.
Local risks

Plan around these early

  • Compact plots: verify setbacks, right-of-way, party-wall conditions, and utility clearance before design freeze.
  • Neighbour consent or dispute commitment can delay approval if boundary conditions are unclear.
  • Do not begin above approved scope; revisions and non-compliance can affect completion certificate.
Official sources
Explore more

Resources for Kathmandu homeowners

Planning tools

Guides & articles

More from Saubhagya

Planning a build in Kathmandu?

Share your plot location, floor plan expectations, and timeline. We will map the right design, approval, and construction path for your municipality.

Book a consultationFind your planning package