Building permit (licencia de construcción)
The municipal building permit, also called the building license.
Why it matters
You can't legally build without it.
Who helps
The municipal building-permit office (La Paz: Dirección General de Desarrollo Urbano / Tesorería; Los Cabos: Dirección Municipal de Licencias de Construcción). Your DRO, architect or gestor prepares and files the application.
What to do: Apply for the building permit with the documents on the city's list.
Documents
- Application in the fiduciaria's name and the power
- Deed
- No-debt predial certificate
- Land-use approval, alineamiento, número oficial
- DRO-signed architectural, structural and installation plans
- Soils study
- Water feasibility
- Environmental resolution if required
- Civil Protection review where applicable.
- The CFE feasibility letter (carta de factibilidad)
- Final stamped plans, also as DWG files
Costs Estimate
- La Paz: about 7 per mille (0.7%) of the construction value, plus surcharges (+30% + 2). The municipality sets the construction value from its own tables.
- Valid 24 months. Renewing it (refrendo) costs 3.5 per mille of the construction value (La Paz Ley de Hacienda, art. 92; confirm with the office).
- Get the predial no-debt certificate right before you file; the office wants a current one. See step 4.18.
Estimates only. Get written quotes.
Common mistakes
- Starting excavation before the license (cuts deeper than 0.60 m may need their own permit) (step 4.20).
- Ignoring the construction-waste plan registration (state fee MXN 8,690 if over the threshold) (step 4.24).
Say it in Spanish
- Quisiera ingresar la solicitud de licencia de construcción.
I'd like to submit the application for a building license.
Sources
- Ley de Hacienda de La Paz (checked 2026-10)
- El Sudcaliforniano (checked 2026-10)
- Ley de Hacienda de Los Cabos (checked 2026-10)
- Ley de Ingresos de Los Cabos 2026 (checked 2026-10)
- Transparencia Los Cabos – Licencias (checked 2026-10)
Confirm the details for your case with your notario or attorney.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to build?
Yes: land use, street alignment and a building license from your municipality's Desarrollo Urbano, signed by a DRO.