Land Title Registration and Building Permit in Togo: Land Registry Guide

Securing Land Ownership and Building in Togo: Land Title and Building Permits

Acquiring real estate and conducting construction projects in Togo is regulated under the Land Reform Act and Land and Domain Code. Registering property with the Directorate of Cadastre and Land Conservation (OTR - Office Togolais des Recettes) is the sole official procedure guaranteeing an unassailable and definitive Land Title (Titre Foncier).

Whether purchasing a plot of land in Greater Lomé as an individual buyer or developing a commercial real estate project, this guide summarizes land registration steps and building permit procedures.

1. Procedure for Obtaining a Land Title at OTR

Land title registration cancels all prior customary rights and converts a deed of sale into an unassailable property right recorded in the Togolese Land Book.

Steps for Land Registration:

Signing the Deed of Sale (Convention de Vente): Execution of the sales agreement between buyer and seller before a notary public or endorsed by local municipal authorities (Canton/Neighborhood Chief).
Boundary Survey and Plan Certification: Surveying conducted by a licensed surveyor belonging to the Order of Surveyors of Togo (Ordre des Géomètres du Togo).
Submitting the File to Land Conservation (OTR):
- Submission of notarized deed of sale.
- Certified surveyor boundary plans.
- Copies of ID documents of all parties (buyer and seller).
Official Boundary Survey (Bornage Contradictoire): Notice published in the Official Gazette and physical boundary marking on the plot by OTR cadastre surveyors in the presence of neighboring land owners.
Issuance of Final Land Title: Upon expiration of the legal objection period (without valid disputes), the Registrar of Land Property issues the Land Title in the name of the new owner.

2. Building Permit Application Process in Lomé

Any new building construction, extension, or structural modification within the municipality of Lomé strictly requires a prior Building Permit (Permis de Construire) issued by the relevant Municipal City Hall (Golfe 1 to 7 or Agoè-Nyivé 1 to 6).

Required Paperwork for Building Permits:

Official application form provided by the municipal urban planning department.
Certified copy of the Land Title or cadastral registration filing receipt.
Complete architectural blueprints prepared and signed by an architect registered with the National Order of Architects of Togo (ONAT):
- Location map and site plan (scale 1/500 or 1/200).
- Cross-section plans, elevations, and floor plans (scale 1/50 or 1/100).
- Technical descriptive notice and structural concrete/sanitation plans.
Receipt of administrative filing fee payment.

3. Construction Inspection and Certificate of Conformity

Once the building permit is granted and construction commences:

Municipal urban planning officers conduct site visits to verify compliance with public right-of-way alignments and approved building heights.
Upon completion of construction works, the property owner requests a Certificate of Conformity (Certificat de Conformité), which is required for permanent utility connections to water (TdE) and electricity (CEET).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to purchase land without a Land Title in Togo?

While purchasing land under customary sales agreements (endorsed by neighborhood chiefs) is common, it is strongly recommended to immediately initiate land title registration at OTR to protect against double sales and boundary disputes.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Lomé?

Following administrative streamlining reforms, the average processing timeframe for a building permit issued by urban planning counters in Lomé is 30 to 45 days for fully compliant files.

Where are the OTR Cadastre counters located in Lomé?

The OTR Directorate of Land Conservation and Cadastre is located at the General Directorate of Taxes headquarters, Kodjoviakopé district, Lomé.

Last verified: September 12, 2026
Official sources: Togolese Revenue Authority - Cadastre (OTR), Ministry of Urban Planning of Togo