The function of issuing building permits was the responsibility of the General Directorate of Buildings, created in June 1959 by Law 5150, as a dependency of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications.
SANTO DOMINGO.- Starting next Monday, the 21st, the Central Office for Plan Processing (OCTP) will operate from the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVED), as part of the provisions established by Law 160-21 that creates said entity.
Until now, this department was under the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) and is in charge of receiving, analyzing and approving building projects nationwide, for the issuance of the Construction License.
“In accordance with Law 160-21, the operations of this department are being transferred from the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MIVED). We will be opening the new offices next week, and during this process, we will be accepting applications virtually until Thursday, March 24th of this year,” states a press release posted on the Instagram account of the agency that regulates housing construction in the country.
The document explains that on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, customer service will be provided virtually, and emphasizes that the measure is aimed at fulfilling the promise of streamlining and ensuring the correct execution of MIVED's processes.
About the OCTP
The function of issuing building permits was the responsibility of the General Directorate of Buildings, created in June 1959 by Law 5150, as a dependency of the Ministryof Public Works and Communications.
The plan processing department also handles other permits such as those for burying tanks, whose approvals must also have the authorization of the General Directorate of Buildings, DGE.
It is composed ofthe Central Office for Plan Processing, OCTP (Santo Domingo), elevated to a Directorate and two regional offices, which are: the Northern Regional Office for Plan Processing in Santiago and the Northeastern Regional Office for Plan Processing in San Francisco de Macorís; these offer the same services as the Directorate of the Central Office, except for the construction and installation projects of service stations (gas stations), gas bottling plants, urbanizations, special projects and the one-stop shop for low-cost housing, which must be exclusively requested before the Directorate of the Central Office for Plan Processing, in Santo Domingo.
What the Housing Law mandates
Law 160-21 of August 1, 2021, which created the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings, absorbed a large part of the functions and budget of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications and other State entities that build public works.
Article 16 of Law 160-21, chapter three, when referring to the mission and functions of the Ministry, establishes that the scope of its powers includes the planning, regulation, processing of permits, supervision, holding of selection processes, contracting of all buildings, related works and public facilities, as well as the regulation, processing of permits and inspection of private buildings, in accordance with the law and the corresponding regulations.
