What is an ACD in Côte D'Ivoire?
An ACD (Arrêté de Concession Définitive) is the official document issued by the Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Construction, Housing and Town Planning that confers definitive ownership of urban land on its beneficiary.
What is a housing estate?
A subdivision is a town-planning operation that involves dividing land into building plots in a pre-defined area.
What is an approved subdivision?
It is a subdivision that has followed the standard subdivision approval procedure (order opening a public enquiry followed by the approval order). These two documents are drawn up by the Land Development Sub-Directorate of the Town Planning Department and submitted to the Minister for signature.
What is a letter of award?
The Letter of Allotment is a document issued by the authorities to a private individual. With this deed, the authorities inform the individual that a plot of urban land has been allocated to him or her. It used to be issued by the Minister of Construction in Abidjan or the prefectural authorities in the interior of the country. However, since the implementation of the land reform of 02 July 2013 instituting the Arrêté de Concession Définitive (ACD), which enshrines ownership in urban areas, the letter of allocation is no longer issued by the administrative authorities.
What is a Titre Foncier?
The Titre Foncier is a number written on the double page of the land register marking the legal birth of the parcel concerned. The parcel thus begins an existence that must be recorded in the land register.
What is the Land Register?
The Livre Foncier is a register opened for each land district. Each double page of the register has a number, known as the "titre foncier". The rights and obligations associated with each plot of land are recorded in this register.
What is the processing cycle for an ACD request?
The processing cycle for an ACD (Arrêté de Concession Définitive) application may vary depending on the specific case, but generally involves the following stages:
1. Submitting the application: The applicant submits his ACD application to the Guichet Unique du Foncier et de l'Habitat (GUF).
2. Examination of the application: The application is examined by the relevant departments, which check that the application and the documents supplied are in order.
3. Drawing up the draft UFA: On the basis of the information provided, the draft UFA is drawn up and prepared.
4. Approval of the UFA: The UFA is subject to approval by the relevant authorities, such as the Planning Authority.
5. Transmission of the ACD: Once approved, the ACD is transmitted to the applicant by the Guichet Unique du Foncier et de l'Habitat.
6. Delivery of the final concession decree: The applicant goes to the Guichet Unique du Foncier et de l'Habitat to collect the final concession decree.
It is important to note that the length of the cycle may vary depending on a number of factors, such as the complexity of the application, administrative constraints, the availability of resources and the time taken by administrative procedures. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant authorities to find out the estimated times for processing their specific application.
What documents do I need to submit an ACD application for an approved allotment site?
The applicant has a village certificate
- Technical File
- Bailiff's certificate
- Four (4) photocopies of identity papers (national identity card, identity certificate, consular card or passport and birth certificate)
- The original and four (4) photocopies of the Village Attestation
- The original and four (4) photocopies of the Certificate of Transfer
- One (1) ACD application form
Articles of association in the case of a company, NGO, community and the identity document of the representative - Site plan or cadastral information sheet
Administrative costs amounted to :
- FCFA 100,000 for an individual
- CFAF 150,000 for an association
- FCFA 450,000 for a company
What documents do I need to submit an ACD application for an approved allotment site?
The applicant has a letter of award:
- Technical file
Four (4) photocopies of ID (National Identity Card, Certificate of Identity, Consular Card or Passport and Birth Certificate) - The original and four (4) photocopies of the letter of Award or the
- Housing permit
- One (1) CDA application form
Location map
Administrative costs amounted to :
- CFAF 90,000 for an individual
- FCFA 100,000 for an association
- CFAF 250,000 for a company
What documents do I need to submit an ACD application for an approved allotment site?
The applicant has an ACP or a letter of allocation + land title:
- Four (4) photocopies of identity papers (National Identity Card or Certificate of Identity or Consular Card or Passport and Birth Certificate)
- Original A.C.P. or letter of allocation + Land title and 4 photocopies
- Two copies of the plan signed by a chartered surveyor (dry stamp)
- One (1) ACD application form
- A land registry with history
- A location map
Administrative costs amounted to :
- FCFA 80,000 for an individual
- CFAF 90,000 for an association
- FCFA 240,000 for a company
What is a technical file?
The technical file for an ACD application in Côte D'Ivoire is a set of documents that make it possible to demarcate and locate the land for which you wish to obtain final title. The technical file includes the following elements
- One (01) layer representing the plot plan with its dimensions, boundaries and geographical coordinates;
- Twenty-one (21) photocopies of the tracing in A3 format;
- One (01) table calculating the coordinates and surface areas of the various parts of the plot;
- One (01) surveyor's report explaining the methods and results of the demarcation and parcelling of the land;
- Calculations linked to the geo-referencing of the parcel, i.e. determining its exact position on the map;
- One (01) A4 or A3 site plan showing the location of the plot in relation to surrounding landmarks.
The technical file must be drawn up by a sworn surveyor and validated by the Ministry of Construction. It must be attached to the administrative file for the ACD application, along with the other required documents.
What is an Attestation villageoise, newly known as an Attestation de droit d'usage (ADUC) in Côte D'Ivoire?
The attestation of right of use (formerly Attestation villageoise) is a document attesting to the customary right of use of a parcel of land by a natural or legal person. It is a provisional title deed issued by a village committee after approval of the subdivision by the State. Since 24 May 2023, the village certificate has been replaced by a standardised, secure document known as the certificate of customary use. The purpose of this document is to avoid land disputes and to facilitate the procedure for obtaining the final concession decree (arrêté de concession définitive - ACD).
What is a bailiff's notice?
A "compulsoire d'huissier" is a document that certifies that the applicant for an ACD has notified the persons concerned by the plot of land. Above all, it ensures that the applicant's name appears in the guides. This is a mandatory formality for obtaining an ACD in Côte d'Ivoire. The compulsoire d'huissier is issued by a bailiff who visits the land (usually the village and then the ministry) and serves the DDA application on the occupants, neighbours, village chief and village committee. The bailiff's certificate must be attached to the DLA application file, along with the other required documents.
What is a certificate of transfer?
What is a site plan?
What is an ACP (Arrêté de Concession Provisoire)?
ACP ( Arrête de Concession Provisoire is a document
What is a dwelling permit?
Certificate of ownership :
The Attestation Domaniale is not a deed issued to the ACD applicant and does not confer ownership. It is issued by the Director of Urban Property in the Abidjan District and by the Regional Directors in the interior of the country. It is sent to the Conservateur de la Propriété Foncière et des Hypothèques (Land and Mortgage Registrar) and is used to initiate the procedure for creating the Titre Foncier (land title) and to indicate the name of the person to whom the State intends to transfer the land.
Certificat de Mutation de la Propriété Foncière :
The transfer of ownership of land that has been the subject of a Definitive Concession Order or a Land Ownership Certificate is carried out exclusively by notarial deed and gives rise to a Land Ownership Transfer Certificate issued by the Registrar of Land Ownership and Mortgages. This certificate is proof that the rights conferred by the transfer to the purchaser are registered in the land register.
Land status :
The land registry gives the information contained in the land register, which represents information relating to the legal life of the parcel.
State ownership :
The state of ownership gives the information contained in the state registers of the Ministry of Construction and Town Planning. This information traces the administrative life of the plot (the various deeds that have been issued).
How can I find out the history of a plot of land in Côte D'Ivoire?
To know the history of a plot of land, it is essential to know its administrative and legal situation. Knowing the history of a plot of land helps to limit disputes.
What is the administrative status of a plot of land in Côte D'Ivoire?
The administrative situation of a plot of land refers to its status and all the information relating to its ownership and use. It includes legal, administrative and tax information relating to the land, such as land ownership, property rights, easements, encumbrances, building permits, licences, taxes and duties. The administrative status of a plot of land is important because it helps to verify and guarantee the legality and conformity of the land use and transaction. It is often consulted when buying, selling or building on the land to ensure that there are no legal disputes or obstacles.
What is the legal status of a plot of land in Côte D'Ivoire?
The legal status of a plot of land refers to all the legal and juridical elements that determine the property rights and legal constraints associated with it. This includes information on land ownership, title deeds, easements, restrictions on use, mortgages, rights of way, building rights, pre-emption rights, pending land disputes, etc. The legal status of a plot of land is essential for assessing and guaranteeing the validity and legality of ownership rights over it, and for making decisions about its use, transfer or sale.
What is the village guide?
The village guide is a document that lists the lots and blocks on a state-approved housing estate. It is drawn up by an expert surveyor and validated by the Ministry of Construction. It is used to check the conformity and availability of lots from a village community. There are two copies of the village guide: one held by the village and the other by the Ministry of Construction. The village guide is essential for obtaining the final concession order (arrêté de concession définitive - ACD), which is the title deed to the land.
What is a building permit in Côte D'Ivoire?
Planning permission is an essential administrative authorisation, granting any entity, whether natural or legal, public or private, the right to carry out building work, subject to validation of its compliance with existing planning and building regulations. This formal administrative act validates that the construction plan complies with safety standards and existing town planning and building regulations.
The planning guidelines specify, among other things, the area that may be built on each lot, the categories of buildings authorised, the authorised heights, and the public utility easements that apply to the land.
The project is also required to comply with construction standards and regulations to ensure the safety of the building and its residents. In particular, it must adhere to the Unified Technical Documents (DTU), the Cahiers des Prescriptions Techniques Générales of the CSTB, and the standards of the Union Technique de l'Électricité (UTE). Planning permission is essential for building, modifying or renovating any existing building, because the act of building is a complex process that cannot be carried out randomly and in any location.
Planning permission is required for every building, and must be applied for by a certified architect registered with the Ordre des Architectes. The application, drawn up by the architect, must include the following elements:
- Visual documents
- Ground plan
- Location plan
- View planes
- Facades and cross-sections
- The roof plan
- Sewerage or drainage plans if necessary
- Structural drawings if necessary
- Text documents
- The summary descriptive estimate
- Summary budget estimate
- Geotechnical reports if necessary
- The various specifications if necessary
- Environmental impact assessment, if required
Don't hesitate to contact us if you need any adjustments or further details!
How do I obtain planning permission in Côte D'Ivoire?
To obtain planning permission, follow the steps below:
1. Have a plot of land with proof of ownership: It is essential to have the required title deeds, such as the Certificat de Propriété Foncière (CPF), the Certificat de Mutation de Propriété Foncière (CMPF), the Arrêté de Concession Définitive (ACD), the Lettre d'Attribution (LA) or the arrêté d'occupation temporaire ou bail emphytéotique.
2. Apply for visas and the Certificat d'Urbanisme (CU): The visas from CIE (Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Électricité), SODECI (Société de Distribution d'eau de Côte d'Ivoire) and the Direction de l'Assainissement et du Drainage (DAD) inform the architect whether or not there are electricity, water or sewerage networks. The approval of the Urban Estate Department (DDU) authenticates the title deed. The Certificat d'Urbanisme (CU) sets out the easements and planning regulations applicable to the plot.
3. Design the architectural project: Use the services of an approved architect registered with the Côte d'Ivoire Order of Architects, unless the useful floor area of the building is less than 120 m² and the cost is less than 30 million CFA francs.
4. Drawing up the building permit application: The architect must draw up a file including the graphic documents (site plan, layout plan, plan views, façades and sections, roof plan, drainage or external works plans, structural plans if necessary) and the written documents (summary descriptive specifications, summary cost estimates, geotechnical reports if necessary, specifications, environmental impact study if necessary).
5. Submitting the application to the Guichet Unique du Permis de Construire (GUPC): Since 29 April 2016, all applications for visas, Certificats d'Urbanisme and building permits have been submitted exclusively to the GUPC in the Autonomous District of Abidjan.
6. Examination of the file and issue of the building permit: The GUPC checks and processes the building permit application, examines the file and submits the draft building permit order for signature by the Minister responsible for construction or the Mayor.
It's important to follow the current planning and building regulations to ensure that your project complies with them and to obtain the planning permission you need to carry out the planned work.
To obtain an ACD, you need to go through a number of stages and procedures, including applying for approval as a property developer or approved estate agent, and complying with current building and planning regulations and standards. The ACD aims to secure property rights and promote investment in the real estate sector.
