Appraisal of Building Permit Systems and Compliance in Jos, Plateau State

Building permit systems are essential instruments for ensuring structural safety, land use order, and compliance with planning standards in Nigerian cities. This study appraises the building permit system and levels of compliance in Jos, Plateau State, examining procedural efficiency, enforcement capacity, and the prevalence of unpermitted construction. The research adopts a descriptive methodology, combining document review, interviews with 12 officials from the Plateau State Urban Development Board, and a survey of 190 building owners and contractors across selected residential and commercial zones in Jos North and Jos South local government areas. A compliance audit was also conducted on a sample of 80 recent construction projects to assess adherence to approved plans, setback regulations, and structural standards. Secondary data on permit applications, approvals, and enforcement actions from 2019 to 2023 were extracted from state records. Findings are anticipated to reveal low compliance rates, particularly in informal residential areas, driven by lengthy permit processing times, high application costs, and limited public awareness of planning regulations. The study further identifies weaknesses in post-approval monitoring and enforcement. Recommendations center on digitizing the permit application process, reducing bureaucratic delays, decentralizing enforcement to local government level, and launching public education campaigns on building regulation compliance. These insights are intended to guide planning administration reform in Jos and comparable Nigerian plateau cities. Keywords: Building permits, Compliance, Development control, Jos, Planning administration.