Home Renovation Approvals and the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC)

You want to add a kitchen at the back of the house or build an upper floor — and suddenly a neighbour says “you have to apply to the council first”. Is that true? For most renovation work, yes.

When does a home renovation need Local Authority approval?

The basic rule is clear. Under Section 70(1) of Act 133 (the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974), no one may erect a building without first obtaining written permission from the Local Authority (PBT). “Building” here includes additions and alterations that affect the structure.

Generally, work is divided into three categories:

Type of work	Examples	Approval required
Additions / structural	Kitchen, bathroom, roof, car canopy, fence, front wall additions	Local Authority building plan approval
Minor works	Repainting, retiling, wiring, cabinets, solar panels (roof structure remains)	Minor works permit (area limits vary by Local Authority)
Exempt	Interior painting, wallpaper, changing a door/pipe, decorative lighting, small fish pond	None, if the structure is not affected

Bear in mind: the definition of “minor works” and any area limit distinguishing minor works from work requiring full approval are set by each Local Authority’s by-laws and can differ between councils. Check with your Local Authority for the exact figures before starting work.

For terraced houses, some Local Authorities provide a Standard Plan (Pelan Setara) — a standardised plan for kitchen, bathroom, roof or fence additions — so that owners can build directly without engaging a consultant. The condition is usually that the original wall may not be demolished or broken through. Availability of this scheme varies by Local Authority.

What is the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC)?

The CCC is a document that confirms a building has been completed in accordance with the approved plans as well as Act 133 and the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL). It replaced the old Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO) from 12 April 2007, the effective date on which the system switched to self-certification.

The key difference: the CCC is not issued by the Local Authority. It is issued by the Principal Submitting Person (PSP) — the architect, professional engineer or registered building draughtsman who submitted the original plans. The PSP signs Form F (full CCC) or Form F1 (staged CCC) only after 21 Form G certificates are completed. Some of the Form G certificates require confirmation from external agencies such as the fire department, water authority, sewerage and electricity supply.

The Local Authority’s role is now one of check and balance: carrying out inspections during construction and able to withhold the CCC if there is any non-compliance.

Why is the CCC important at key handover?

For buyers of a new home, the CCC is the official proof that the house is fit for occupation. Without the CCC, the building officially cannot yet be occupied, and utility connections can still be delayed. At key handover, ask the developer for a copy of the CCC (Form F/F1) and keep it — you will also need it later if you want to apply for a minor renovation permit for that house.

What are the penalties for renovating without approval?

Building without approval is no small matter. According to MBPJ’s guidance, the actions that may be imposed include a compound of up to RM25,000 for deviating from the approved plans, and a compound of up to RM50,000 for non-compliance, in addition to a stop-work order or a demolition order. Fees for unauthorised work may also be charged at up to 10 times the normal rate.

What’s next

• Check your Local Authority’s website (e.g. MBPJ, DBKL, MBSA) for the list of works requiring approval and the application forms.
• For structural additions, engage an architect or engineer to submit the plans through the One Stop Centre (OSC).
• When buying a new home, confirm the CCC status (Form F/F1) before key handover.
• Keep a copy of the CCC — you will need it for future renovation applications.