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introduction
property types
buying process
protection
financing
construction
zoning laws
before planning
architects
control & execution
building permits
building tips
corporation
residency
conversion chart
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construction
Before you start making your building plans, there are some things you should be aware of. Building regulations depend on location, type of property and land use.
By law, all applications for construction permits must be filed by a Costa Rican architect or civil engineer.
zoning laws Costa Rican lawmakers have drawn up very strict rules governing the development of ocean front property along both coasts. First, according Costa Rican law, the beaches belong to everybody and everybody has a right to use them. The first 50 meters (164 ft.) above the mean high tide line are public land. No one can restrict access to a beach or claim a beach is privately owned, exceptions being landholdings in port areas, old land grants or by some agreements made prior to 1973. Second, along 80% to 85% of the coastline, the 150 meters (492 ft.) after the 50 first meters (164 ft.) are called the Maritime Zone and are controlled by the government. A foreigner must establish five years of residency to own more than 49% of a lease in this zone.
Foreigners can evade this law by assigning the lease to a corporation that is wholly foreign owned or
by assigning 51% of the ownership of the land (on paper) to a Costa Rican citizen.
Take a careful look at the zoning laws before you start development in any of these areas.
If there is no zoning plan for land you want to develop, then it's up to you to create one on your own and submit it to ICT (Tourist Board), the INVU (Housing and Urban Development Department), and the local municipality for approval. |
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