The Addis Ababa City Administration’s Construction Permit and Control Authority has issued a strict warning to developers violating the city’s building regulations, specifically related to the implementation of the Setback Act. This move follows the city administration’s cabinet decision during its 14th regular meeting on June 18 th, 2024, where several measures concerning building construction were adopted.
Key Regulations Enforced:
- Setback Regulations:
- Developers must adhere to specific setback distances—10 meters, 5 meters, 13 meters, and 2 meters—depending on the type of property.
- Minimum Land Area:
- Properties situated along roads with widths of 15 meters or more must have a minimum area of 500 square meters.
- Building Frontage:
- The minimum frontage of buildings must be at least 20 meters along roads that fall under the above specifications.
These laws apply across Addis Ababa, covering areas within and outside of corridor development zones. The administration emphasizes that any violation of these laws will lead to irrevocable action against those responsible.
Strict Monitoring Measures
The Construction Permit and Control Authority noted that despite previous circulars outlining the regulations, some developers are attempting to bypass the laws. Specifically, developers have been found starting construction without making necessary design adjustments or obtaining the required permits.
In response, the City and district offices have been directed to strictly monitor and control all construction projects at every level. Developers found in violation, and officials neglecting their oversight duties, will face severe consequences.
“We cannot allow violations of the city’s laws to go unchecked,” a spokesperson for the Construction Permit and Control Authority stated. “We are committed to ensuring that Addis Ababa’s urban development aligns with our regulations to promote safe, sustainable growth.”
Consequences for Non-Compliance
The Authority has made it clear that those found violating the laws or failing to properly monitor construction in their districts will be held accountable. This includes possible fines, legal action, and public reprimands for officials found complicit in covering up illegal activities.
The Setback Act and related regulations are seen as vital for maintaining the city’s orderly development, ensuring safety, and avoiding overcrowding in key urban areas. With Addis Ababa’s rapid growth, the administration has been actively working to create a well-regulated environment that balances expansion with public safety and proper urban planning.
The city administration urged all developers and relevant officials to familiarize themselves with the setback and other construction laws to avoid future complications. District offices have been tasked with acting swiftly to ensure compliance or reporting violations to higher authorities for action.
Meanwhile, we should not ignore thousands of our daughters and sisters who are in grave danger caught up amid the war in the Middle East that is now spreading into Lebanon. No media outlet among our Diaspora is talking about it. I am very disappointed by the editors of these websites for not highlighting about it. Have we turned into people with hearts of stone? What is being done to evacuate or secure safe places for people who are there as domestic workers? They have nowhere to go. Syria is a mess and danger zone itself. I don’t think Egypt will take them in and even that could be a dangerous trip through the rough waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Let’s do something to help them!!!
Perfectly. That’s top priority ! I couldn’t agree more with your comment !
Other issues must be talked about also. We can’t be talking only wars. You can pay the website to publish a story about the war for you.
This is straight up apartheid. Basically unless you have over 500m2 you will not allow to get a building permit in Addis and even if you do have 500m2 land due to the so called SET BACK LAW you have have to go deep In to your own land up to 10m2 that’s will take away more than 100 to 150m2 land from the 500m2 so you can’t build anything, you can’t also sell it because since the land won’t be used to build a building no investors will buy it from you. So basically anyone who is in Addis weather the corridor thing including you or not as long as your land is anything less that 500m2 and the length of the footage is over 20m2 that even before the Set back plan takes 100 to 150m2 from you basically can’t sell nor build on it. By the way it doesn’t have to be the main road it could be coble stone road, dirt road whatever it depend on the side of the road over 15m2 no one could build anything. This is so devastating and the value of thousands house owners is practically zero. Very very sad
What’s taking place in Addis is too much too fast, that could possibly backfire. While there are gross negligence for citizens rights to property and while the overall master plan of the city remains enigmatic, skepticism is rife as to which class of citizen (if at all there is) ultimately stands to benefit & people begrudgingly watching it all aloof.