Subsector
Aquaculture
Those activities based on the cultivation of fish, shellfish, and fresh or brackish water aquatic plants, for their production or commercialization.
Colombia has more than 20 million hectares of aquatic ecosystems. It is an economic sector of enormous potential for investment because it allows the use of consumption and the reliable and sustainable production of different aquatic species.
*Please note: for specific information on each sub-sector, please refer to the Pre-operational Licenses and Infrastructure Construction procedures.
The other procedures of the investment cycle - Business Creation, Real Estate Purchase, Migration, and Personnel Recruitment - are multi-sector and standard for all investment sub-sectors.
Here you can consult each of the steps and requirements for Infrastructure construction
The Environmental License refers to the authorization for the execution of a project, work or activity that may cause severe damage to renewable natural resources, the environment or generate modifications to the landscape
What do I need to apply for an Environmental License?
You must submit the single environmental license form
Have the supporting drawings of the Environmental Impact Study
Know the estimated investment and operation cost of the project
Present the "Power of Attorney" duly granted when acting by proxy
Present the proof of payment for the environmental license evaluation service
Have the Certificate of existence and legal representation
Process and deliver the Certificate from the Ministry of the Interior on the presence or not of ethnic communities and the existence of collective territories in the project area
In case of the existence of ethnic communities, the "prior consultation" process must be carried out, where access and participation are given to the ethnic communities to learn about projects or works to be carried out in their territories whenever they are likely to affect them directly.
A copy of the document required by ICANH (Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History) must be submitted to verify that there are no archaeological remains in the project area.
Complete the form approved by the competent environmental authority as appropriate (ANLA, Regional CAR, or Ministry of Environment).
What are the steps to follow for the Environmental License application?
Request the NDA (Need for Environmental Diagnosis) form
File the DAA (Environmental Diagnosis of Alternatives) to evaluate and compare the different alternatives under which it is possible to develop the project, work, or activity.
Attend the meeting before the competent environmental authority to present the results of the preliminary verification of documentation.
Be notified of the order of initiation of the Environmental License Application process before the respective authority.
Receive the technical visit by the entity in charge (ANLA, CAR, Ministry of Environment) if required
Be notified of the administrative act that defines the alternative for the development of the project.
Request the liquidation of the cost for the evaluation of the environmental license
Make the payment of the environmental license evaluation
Where can I go?
You can go to the respective environmental authority and you can obtain additional information through the Environmental Procedures Online Window - VITAL
What is the cost of this procedure?
The Cost depends on the rates of the environmental entity (according to article 96 of Law 633 of 2000). The fees are set by means of Resolutions.
"Regarding the ceilings, according to Article 96 of Law 633 of 2000, it was determined that the fees may not exceed the following ceilings:
1. Those with a value of two thousand one hundred fifteen (2,115) minimum monthly salaries in force shall have a maximum rate of zero-point six percent (0.6%).
2. Those with a value greater than two thousand one hundred fifteen (2,115) current minimum monthly wages and less than eight thousand four hundred fifty-eight (8,458) current minimum monthly wages shall have a maximum rate of zero-point five percent (0.5%).
3. Those with a value greater than eight thousand four hundred and fifty-eight (8,458) minimum monthly salaries in force shall have a maximum rate of zero-point four percent (0.4%).
For example:
$1.806.535.041 COP
Project value= 18,000 million COP
Environmental impact assessment = 10% of the project value = COP 1,800 million
Maximum cost of the evaluation= 6.535.041 COP
Total cost= 1,806 million COP
How long does this process take?
432 working days
What regulations must I comply with?
Law 99 of 1993. Whereby the Ministry of the Environment is created, the Public Sector in charge of the management and conservation of the environment and renewable natural resources is reorganized, the Environmental System, SINA, is organized, and other provisions are enacted (art. 49) (Ordinary Law)
Law 99 of 1993. Whereby the Ministry of the Environment is created, the Public Sector in charge of the management and conservation of the environment and renewable natural resources is reorganized, the Environmental System, SINA, is organized, and other provisions are enacted. (art. 50 Ordinary Law)
In case of executing a construction project, whether as new construction, expansion, remodeling, modification, adaptation, reconstruction, demolition or structural reinforcement, a prior permit issued by the urban curator's office or a similar authority in each municipality is required.
What do I need to apply for a Construction License?
You need a copy of the certificate of freedom and tradition dated within 30 days of issuance
You need a copy of the identity document of the person or of the Legal Representative
Copy of the last year's property tax payment.
It is necessary to have the relation of the address of the adjoining properties of the project
It needs the copy of the architectural project labeled and signed by an architect with professional registration (the labeling refers to the basic information of the project as):
Project: Type of work to be built
Contains: Names and details of the plans contained in each floor to be built.
Owners: List of the people by name- every person for whom the construction is to be carried out.
Address: Place or site where the construction is to be carried out
Scale and date: The scale used in each plan and the date of completion of the plans.
Number of Floors
Name of the drafter of the project
Design is the name of the architect who designed the project to be built.
Calculation is the name of the engineer who supported the elaboration of the plans
The architectural project must contain at least the following information:
Location.
Floor plans.
Elevations or cuts of the building in relation to the public or private road at a formal scale. When the project is located on sloping ground, the cuts must indicate the actual slope of the terrain.
Facades.
Roof plan: the plan showing the shape of the top of the buildings, i.e., the shape of the roof.
Area table: it refers to the information of the total square meters of a constructed surface and the division of the same ones in the different zones that compose it.
It is necessary to process the National Single Format of review and information of projects before the Urban Curator's Office or responsible entity
In case you act through an attorney-in-fact, you must present a special Power of Attorney duly granted before a notary or judge of the Republic.
What steps should I follow to apply for a Construction License?
Verify that you comply with the requirements mentioned above
Carry out the process virtually through the Construction One-Stop Shops at the Urban Curator's Office or the entity in charge in each region
Where can I go?
This process must be carried out before the Urban Curator's Office or the municipal entities. You can also obtain more information through the Ventanilla Única de la Construcción VUC (One-Stop Construction Shop)
What is the cost of this process?
The cost of the construction license depends on the location, the strata, the square meters, and the type of construction to be carried out on the property.
The following can be an example for the calculation of the cost of the Construction License: $7,800,940 COP
Note: Information based on the tariff of the urban curator's office:
Property with an area of 600 m2
Construction coefficient= 2.61
Fixed cost= 1.254.170
Variable cost= 6.546.770
Total=$7.800.940
How long does this process take?
The estimated time is 63 working days depending on whether it is necessary to make corrections and adjustments to the previously required documents. Or more days depending on the type of license required (new construction, expansion, remodeling, modification, adaptation, reconstruction, demolition, or structural reinforcement).
What regulations must I comply with?
Law 388 of 1997 (Art. 99, numeral 1 and 2).
Sole Regulatory Decree 1077 of 2015 (Compiles Decree 1203 of 2017) (Art. 2.2.6.1.1.7) (Regulatory Decree).
The delineation tax is caused by the issuance of the construction license to carry out new construction, expansion, modification, adaptation or repair of real estate.
What do I need to pay the Delineation Tax?
Consult on the web page or directly in the Mayors' Offices of the region, about the documents and forms that you must present to pay the delineation tax.
What are the steps to follow once I have all the documents?
Complete the online form for the advance payment
Make the payment of the advance payment
Once the work is completed, fill out the online form for the tax payment declaration or liquidation
Make the tax payment
Where can I go?
You can make the payment of this tax at the private financial institution of your preference and obtain more information at the Single Window for Construction - VUC
What is the cost of this procedure?
The cost may vary from one municipality to another. As an example, for the city of Bogota the cost is 3% of the construction budget.
How long does this procedure take?
>1 working day
What regulations must I comply with?
Law 97 of 1913 (Art. 1) (Ordinary Law)
Decree Law 1333 of 1986 (Art. 233) (Decree Law)
Decree 352 of 2002 of the Mayor's Office of Bogota (Art. 72) (District Regulatory Decree).
Agreement 352 OF 2008, of the Council of Bogota (Art. 2) (Administrative Act).
With this request you can make the connection of the public electric energy services connection.
What do I need to request the electric connection?
Present the Certificate of Freedom and Tradition of the property
Copy of the applicant's identification card
Copy of the electrician's registration and certificate. CONTE (National Council of Electrical Technicians) will give the respective certification to the technician to validate his competence in electrical matters.
Self-declaration or RETIE certification (Technical Regulation of Electrical Installations) the objective is to comply with process standards and safety parameters that guarantee the safety of people, animal, and plant life.
Submit the electrical design
What steps to follow once you have all the documents?
Make the service request to the supplier company
Obtain the internal wiring certification from a firm accredited by ONAC (National Accreditation Organization) or the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC)
Perform the inspection of external works, installation of meters and energy flow
Where can I go?
You can go to the regional electric utility company and get more information at the Single Window for Construction Procedures - VUC
What is the cost of this procedure?
$4.227.114 COP
Basis for cost estimation:
Base costs to ENEL
$1.600.000 COP - Certification of internal installations
$2.627.114 COP - Inspection of external works
How long does this procedure take?
Between 45 and 60 working days
What regulations must I comply with?
Law 142 of 1994 (article 14, numeral 1425) (Ordinary Law)
Law 142 of 1994 (article 131) (Ordinary Law)
Law 142 of 1994 (article 132) (Ordinary Law))
With this process you can request the connection of the public water and sewage service.
What do I need to request a water and sewer connection?
Real Estate Registration Page Number
Copy of the legal representative's identity document
What steps to follow once you have all the documents?
Gather the documents mentioned above
Submit the connection request
Make the payment that will be charged on the service bill
Where can I go?
In person you can go to the Aqueduct Service Company in the region where the company is located and obtain information about the process on the web or by telephone.
What is the cost of this process?
Variable cost depending on the location and appraisal made by the company. Base information according to the procedure guide of ACUEDUCTO de Bogotá
How long does this process take?
5 working days
What regulations must I comply with?
Law 142 of 1994 (article 14, numeral 14.22) (Ordinary Law).
Law 142 of 1994 (article131) (Ordinary Law)
Law 142 of 1994 (article132) (Ordinary Law)
With this process you can request the connection of the public service of fuel gas - natural gas.
What do I need to request the Gas connection?
Real estate registration page number
Copy of the legal representative's identity document
What steps to follow once you have all the documents?
Gather the documents mentioned above
Submit the connection request
Connection inspection by a firm authorized by the utility company.
Make the payment that will be charged in the service invoice
Where can I go?
You can go to the regional gas service company; however, you can obtain more information about the process on the web or by phone.
What is the cost of this procedure?
The cost may vary depending on the characteristics of the installation.
Example of cost for Gas installation in a house
$148.427 (COP) + VAT (Value Added Tax)
How long does this procedure take?
The time will depend on the characteristics of the requested service (New connection, Gas pipeline, Installation, location of the project, among others)
What regulations must I comply with?
Law 142 of 1994. Whereby the regime of domiciliary public utilities is established, and other provisions are issued (article 14. numeral 14.28) (Ordinary Law).
Law 142 of 1994. Whereby the regime of domiciliary public utilities is established, and other provisions are enacted (article 131) (Ordinary Law).
Law 142 of 1994. Whereby the regime of domiciliary public utilities is established, and other provisions are enacted (article 132) (Ordinary Law)
The Property Occupancy Authorization. It is the act by means of which the competent authority to exercise the urban and subsequent control of the work certifies through a detailed act the full compliance act:
That the works in the property were advanced in accordance with what was approved in the Construction license.
That the works of adequacy to the seismic resistance norms and/or to the urban and architectural norms contemplated in the act of recognition of the building, were advanced in conformity.
What do I need to request authorization to occupy the property?
You must submit a letter requesting such authorization.
What steps to follow once I have all the documents?
Gather the documents and comply with the requirements established by the procedure
File the required document
Where can I go?
This procedure must be carried out in person at the Municipality of the Region, and you can obtain information about the process on the web through the Single Window for Construction Procedures or by telephone.
What is the cost of this procedure?
No cost
How long does this procedure take?
On average this process takes 21 working days
What regulations must I comply with?
Sole Regulatory Decree 1077 of 2015. (Amended by Decree 1203 of 2017, Article 11) (Article 2.2.6.1.2.3.6) (Regulatory Decree).
Sole Regulatory Decree 1077 of 2015. (Amended by Decree 1203 of 2017, Article 13) (Article 2.2.6.1.4.1) (Regulatory Decree).
Decree 1469 of 2010 (Article 39) (Regulatory Decree)
Decree 1203 of 2017
Address: Cl 28 # 13A - 15, Bogotá, Colombia.
Postal Code: 110311
Office hours: 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m
Switchboard Telephone: (+57) 601 606 7676
Toll-free hotline: 01-8000 944 570
Anti-corruption hotline: 01-8000 958 263
Questions, Complaints, Claims, Suggestions: Here
Judicial notifications: notificacionesjudiciales@mincit.gov.co
Incident Response VUI Email: ContactoVUI@mincit.gov.co
