Nairobi County government has introduced new changes to building fees and zoning regulations, a move expected to regulate the city’s real estate landscape and directly impact landlords, developers and tenants.
The policy will propose for a mandatory Development Impact Fee (DIF), which developers will be required to pay before receiving a building permit.
“A mandatory, one-time Development Impact Fee (DIF) is applied at the building permit stage. Payment of the full DIF is a mandatory precondition for the issuance of a building permit,” the policy stated.
This push by the county is to tighten urban planning, boost revenue collection and bring order to Nairobi’s fast-growing skyline.
Under proposed regulations, the fee will be calculated using a building’s gross floor area, intended use and location, with developers required to settle the fee before obtaining an occupation certificate.
According to the policy issued, developers must meet new environmental safety benchmarks, with penalties for violations. It has also established stricter zones-residential, commercial, mixed use and industrial-with clear restrictions on what type of development will be allowed.
Nairobi’s property market, with its rapid growth, has often outpaced regulation, leading to illegal constructions, strained infrastructure and uneven service delivery. County officials argue the new rules will ensure orderly development, prevent haphazard construction and protect residents enforcing safety and environmental safeguards.
