NOTICE (Please refer the notice before submit the application)

View notice in English

Development Approval Process in Declared Urban Areas

As per the section 8(j) of Urban Development Authority Amendment Act No. 04 of 1982 any development activity with in a declared urban development area, as per the provisions given under Development Authority Act No. 41 of 1978, is required to obtain an approval from the Urban Development Authority (UDA). Subsequently UDA delegated the authority of giving approvals for development activities to the respective local authorities under the direction, supervision & control of UDA. But as per a decision taken by the Board of Management of UDA, a part of powers delegated to local authorities were taken back to UDA with effect from 01st of February 2017, in order to provide an efficient and transparent service to the developers/ general public. More information regarding the above can be viewed from here.

You can obtain relevant approvals from the nearest Provincial or District Office of UDA. Please contact the nearest office for further information.

Online Application Portal

In order to provide an efficient service to the public, UDA has introduced an Online Application System, through which the public can directly submit all types of applications for approval of their intended development activities.

Online Application Process

  1. Download / refer the instructions / checklists & specimen application from UDA website
  2. Create User Account (if you are not already registered in the system as an applicant)
  3. Collect all the required information to be submitted with e application
  4. Identify your pre-processing fee using the Fee Calculator
  5. Create an e application by logging into your User Account and get a Reference Number for your application
  6. Make the payment via a Bank Deposit / Online Money Transfer / UDA cashier, and obtain the payment reciept (Please note the application reference number in the payment slip)
  7. Complete the e application and submit
  8. Submit the relevant original copies of the submitted scanned documents via Registred Post/ Courier Service / Hand-delivery (Please keep the proof of delivering the documents)
  9. UDA will contact you through the online system if any additional information needed. You will recieve the updates of the status of your application as it is procesed
  10. Once UDA collect all the necessary information, the application will be forwarded to the Planning Committee
  11. You'll recieve the UDA decision on your application through the online system and the original documents will be posted to the registered address

Benefits of using the Online Application System

  • It is not necessary to visit UDA to obtain the approvals
  • The status of the application and the name of the respective officer, responsible for handling the application at each stage of the process can be viewed in real-time by accessing the online application portal
  • The progress of the process can be monitored by logging into User Account
  • Notifications on any amendments/ additional information required will be sent via email/SMS in real time, in order to improve the efficiency of the process

Common Guidelines for using Online Application Portal

  • e-Application should be duly filled and the declaration of the applicant/ owner and the qualified persons (if required) should be stated
  • All information and supporting documents need to be prepared as per the instructions given in following sub sections on different applications prior to initiating the application process
  • The specimen application can be referred to identify the details needs to be uploaded as scanned or pdf versions
  • It is not required to complete the whole application at once, but it can be drafted and saved in order to edit and send later
  • The Schedule of Processing Fee can be calculated based on the Government Gazette notification no 1597/8, dated 2009/04/19. Use the Fee Calculator to get an estimation of the processing fee. The relevant payments can be paid either directly to the UDA counter or can be deposited to the following UDA bank account
  • Bank Account Details
    • Bank: Bank of Ceylon
    • A/C Name: Chairman - Urban Development Authority
    • Account Number: 1534
  • The following information MUST be noted in the payment slip
    • Name of the Applicant
    • Identification Number
    • Contact Number
    • Application Reference Number
  • The scanned copy of the Bank Deposit Slip should be uploaded to the Online Application Portal whereas the original copy of the payment slip shall be submitted to the UDA with other relevant drawings and documents
  • The application number should be stated as the reference number in the bank deposit slip and should be uploaded with the respective application. The application will be rejected if the application number does not match with the reference number of the bank slip
  • At the initiation of the online application, you will be asked to select the relevant local authority of which your proposed site is located
    • Note:Your application is forwarded to the relevant officer in the selected local authority to initiate the processing. So if you make a wrong selection your application will be forwarded to a wrong cluster office
  • Once you submit your application please send your hard copies of documents with reference to your application number given by the online application portal, via Registered Post or courier to relevant office or hand it over to the nearest UDA office
  • If you have all the information specified above, now you can initiate your online application

Creating a User Account

You can get a User Account by registering in the Online Application Syatem as an applicant. The following information will be required during the registration process.

  • Full Name
  • Contact Number (Please enter your mobile phone number)
  • NIC (Please enter your National Identity Card Number. Alternatively you can use the Passport Number or Company Registration Number)
  • Email Adderess (Optional but highly recommended)
  • Address (The documents will be delivered to this address)
  • Prefered Password

Once you submit the required information, an Activation Code will be sent to the given mobile phone number as a SMS. Please enter the code to the online system to complete the registration process

Once you complete the registration process, you can login to the online system as an applicant and submit applications

Building Applications

Why you need to obtain a Development Permit?

  • As per the section 8(J) of the Urban Development Authority Amendment Act No. 04 of 1982, no development activity shall carryout in a declared urban development area without a written approval of the Urban Development Authority.
  • A permit issued under this section shall be valid for a period of one year. Provided however, that the Authority may extend the validity of a permit on request for a further period or periods not exceeding two years if the Authority is satisfied that the development activity referred to in the permit has been commenced but not have been completed due to unforeseen circumstances.

What Are the Information Required for Applying for Development Permit?

  • Scanned copy of payment slip
  • Scanned copy / pdf version of drawings of the proposed building (You are required to submit 04 hard copies of drawings with signatures of Applicant, Chartered Engineer & Chartered Architect)
  • Scanned copy of approved Subdivision Plan.

    (If the proposed building is situated in CMC area a scanned copy of Street Line/ Building Line Certificate, Drainage & Water Clearance & additional two copies of drawings of the proposed building)
  • Scanned copy of deed / title certificate
  • Scanned copy of National Identity Card/ Passport
  • Scanned copy of Business Registration Certificate (If applicant is a company or any other organization)
  • Scanned copy of payment receipt of rates for relevant year
  • Scanned copy of the Preliminary Planning Clearance obtained from UDA (If Available)
  • If there is an existing building in the proposed land, a scanned copy of approved plans/Certificate of Conformity of such buildings
  • If the applicant is not the owner of land, a Power of Attorney allowing applicant to act on behalf of the owner (Scanned copy)
  • If the applicant is not the owner of land, a Power of Attorney allowing applicant to act on behalf of the owner. (Scanned copy)
    • Fire Certificate obtained from Fire Service Department
    • Clearance from Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)
    • Clearance from National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWS&DB)
    • Clearance from respective Local Authority regarding the proposed Solid Waste Disposal System
    • Clearance from respective Local Authority regarding the proposed Sewerage & Waste Water Disposal System
    • If it is a Condominium Property, a Clearance from the Condominium Authority
  • Scanned copies of relevant clearances specified in the Preliminary Planning Clearance from other organization
  • You will be notified on any additional documents required during the processing of your application
  • Scanned copy of a sketch or a google map image indicating the location of the land
  • Scanned copies of declaration forms by Applicant/s, Owner/s & Qualified persons (if applicable)

How to Apply for Building Permit?

  • Download the Building Application downloads folder
  • Go through the specimen application and checklist
  • Get ready with all the information required for lodge your online application
  • If you already have a UDA Applicant account, please Login and initiate and open an Application for a Building Application
  • If you do not have a UDA Applicant account, please Register in the system and get login credentials

Sub Division Applications

Why you need to obtain a Permit for Subdivision?

  • Subdivision is the process of altering property boundaries and creating new parcels of land
  • Land subdivision is also a part of a Development Activity as specified under the Section 9(a) Urban Development Authority Law No. 4 of 1982
  • As per the section 8(J) of the Urban Development Authority Amendment Act No. 04 of 1982, no development activity shall be carried out in a declared urban development area without a written approval of the Urban Development Authority
  • Therefore, you need to get the written approval from Urban Development Authority for any types of Subdivision or Amalgamation of Land
  • Your Subdivision Plan shall comply with the Planning Regulations of the UDA and the effective Development Plans of the respective Local Authority Area

What are the information required for applying for an Approval for Subdivision?

  • Scanned copy of payment slip
  • Scanned copy of deed / title certificate
  • Original Survey plan & four survey plan copies certified by a qualified person (If the subject property is located within Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area, the applicant should submit six hard copies of survey plan)
  • Scanned copy of approved base survey plan. If the base survey plan is not approved, a copy of survey plan dated prior to the year of 1986 or to the date of which the respective local area had been declared as an Urban Development Area, needs to be submitted
  • Drainage & Water Clearance from National Water Supply & Drainage Board / CMC Drainage Department (If Required)
  • Street & Building line certificate (Specially Colombo Municipal Council & Dehiwala Mout Lavinia Municipal Council)
  • Scanned Payment receipt of rates (Relevant year)
  • Scanned copies of Declaration forms by Applicant/s, Owner/s, Surveyor & Town Planner
  • If applicant is not the owner of the land, the declaration form of the owner & power of attorney by giving authority to applicant on behalf of the owner
  • If it is a plantation land or land located in special zone (Archeological conservation area/ High security zone/ Hazard area / Conservation Area)
    • Clearance from Urban Development Authority
    • Clearance from National Building Research Organization
    • Clearance from Fragmentation Board
    • Clarence from Department of Agrarian Services
    • Clearance from Sri Lanka Land Reclamation & Development Corporation (SLLR&DC)
    • Clearance from Ceylon Electricity Board
    • Clearance from Department of Archeology
    • Any other relevant clearances (You will be notified later if any additional clearances are required)
  • Scanned copy of National Identity Card
  • Scanned copy of Business Registration Certificate (If applicant is a company or any other organization)
  • Scanned copy of a sketch or a google map image indicating the location of the land
  • Scanned copies of declaration forms by Applicant/s, Owner/s & Qualified persons (if applicable)

How to Apply for Subdivision Approval?

  • Download the Subdivision downloads folder
  • Go through the specimen application and checklist
  • Get ready with all the information required for lodge your online application
  • If you already have a UDA Applicant account, please Login and initiate and open an Application for a Land Subdivision Application
  • If you do not have a UDA Applicant account, please Register in the system and get login credentials

Preliminary Planning Clearance / PPC

Why you need to obtain a PPC?

  • Obtaining a PPC prior to the Building Permit will save your time and money you invest in
  • You can obtain a PPC even before purchasing a land for development
  • The PPC will provide you the details on, permissible development within the intended land to be developed, required clearances to be submitted along with the development application and etc

What are the information required for applying for PPC?

  • Scanned copy of payment slip
  • Scanned copy of a sketch of the site, showing the site/land in relation to the adjoining properties, streets, access from main road to a scale of not less than 1:6000
  • Scanned copies / pdf versions of drawings on brief description with line plans and elevations of proposed buildings (Applicable to construction related projects only)
  • Brief description of the proposed activity
  • Scanned copies of declaration forms by Applicant/s, Owner/s & Qualified persons (if applicable)

How to Apply for PPC?

  • Download the PPC downloads folder
  • Go through the specimen application and checklist
  • Get ready with all the information required for lodge your online application
  • If you already have a UDA Applicant account, please Login and open an Application for a Preminary Planning Application
  • If you do not have a UDA Applicant account, please Register in the system and get login credentials

Certificate of Conformity

Why you need to obtain a Certificate of Conformity?

  • The Certificate of Conformity is issued to certify that a building has been constructed according to an approved survey plan. Once the building is constructed, this certificate should be obtained from the UDA prior to occupation of the building for the specified use
  • As per the section 8(K) of the Urban Development Authority Amendment Act No. 04 of 1982, the Development Activity to be inconformity with the Development Permit Issued by this Authority
  • No land or building shall be used for any purpose other than for the Permit issued for the land

What are the information required to apply for a Certificate of Conformity?

  • Scanned copy of payment slip
  • Following documents need to be submitted based on the type of development activity
    If the development activity is a Building Construction;
    • A scanned Copy of development Permit
    • Copy of Approved Building Plan
    • Copy of Approved Survey Plan
    • Conformation Letters / Recommendations of submitted ppc’s
    If the development activity is a Land Sub division;
    • Scanned copy of Condition Letter
    • Scanned copy of Surveyor Plan
    • Scanned copies of certificates of Qualified Persons
      • Chartered Town Planner
      • Chartered Engineer
    • Other Certificates
      • Ceylon Electricity Board
      • National water supply & Drainage Board (NWS&DB)
  • Scanned copies of declaration forms by Applicant/s, Owner/s & Qualified persons (if applicable)

How to apply for Certificate of Conformity?

  • Download the CoC downloads folder
  • Go through the specimen application and checklist
  • Get ready with all the information required for lodge your online application
  • If you already have a UDA Applicant account, please Login and open an Application for a Certificate of Conformity
  • If you do not have a UDA Applicant account, please Register in the system and get login credentials