Site Plan Application Form (Ghana)
Lands Commission Act 2008 (Act 767) — Land Act 2020 (Act 1036)
Site Plan Application Form
TO: The Lands Commission of Ghana, [Submission Office]
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED SITE PLAN under the Lands Commission Act 2008 (Act 767) and the Land Act 2020 (Act 1036)
1. Applicant Details
Full Name of Applicant: [Applicant Name]
Applicant Type: [Applicant Type]
Ghana Card / Company Registration No.: [Applicant ID / Reg. No.]
Address: [Applicant Address]
Telephone: [Applicant Phone] | Email: [Applicant Email]
2. Land Details
Location of Land: [Land Location]
Approximate Area: [Land Area]
Proposed / Existing Use: [Land Use]
Licensed Surveyor / Survey Firm: [Surveyor Name]
Survey Plan Reference: [Survey Plan Number]
3. Purpose of Application
Purpose of Site Plan: [Application Purpose]
Basis of Applicant's Interest in Land: [Interest in Land]
4. Declaration
I/We hereby apply for a certified site plan in respect of the land described above and declare that the information provided in this application is true and accurate to the best of my/our knowledge. I/We undertake to pay the prescribed fee under Section 18 of the Lands Commission Act 2008 (Act 767) and to comply with all requirements of the Land Act 2020 (Act 1036) and the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act 2016 (Act 925).
Applicant
________________
Signature
What Is a Site Plan Application Form (Ghana)?
A Site Plan Application Form in Ghana submits the applicant's details to the relevant authority for the approval it seeks.
The Land Use and Spatial Planning Act 2016 (Act 925) establishes the legal framework for spatial planning in Ghana, creating the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) and requiring all development to conform to approved spatial plans. Under Act 925, a certified site plan is a prerequisite for obtaining a building permit, a planning permission, or a land title certificate. The Town and Country Planning Department, now operating under LUSPA, prepares and approves district spatial plans against which individual site plans are verified.
The Land Act 2020 (Act 1036) consolidates the law on land tenure, registration, and administration in Ghana. Section 43 of Act 1036 requires that all dispositions of land in Ghana — including freehold grants, leases, and assignments — be supported by a certified site plan issued by the Lands Commission or an accredited surveyor licensed by the Ghana Survey and Mapping Institute (GSMI) under the Survey Act 1962 (Act 127). A site plan that has not been certified by the Lands Commission or an accredited surveyor is not accepted for land registration purposes.
The Land Title Registration Act 1986 (PNDCL 152) governs the registration of title to land in designated registration districts, including Greater Accra, Ashanti, and other urban areas. A certified site plan is an essential exhibit in every application for first registration of title under PNDCL 152. The Land Registration Act 1962 (Act 122) governs deeds registration in non-title registration areas, and a site plan is similarly required as a supporting document for a deed of conveyance, deed of assignment, or indenture lodged with the Lands Commission for stamping and registration.
A Site Plan Application in Ghana is prepared by a licensed survey firm or professional surveyor accredited by the Ghana Survey and Mapping Institute (GSMI). The application is submitted to the appropriate Lands Commission office — at the national headquarters on Cantonments Road, Accra, or at a regional Lands Commission office in Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, or other regional capitals. The application must be accompanied by the prescribed fee, a completed application form, proof of the applicant's interest in the land, and any supporting documents required by the Lands Commission.
The legal framework governing the Site Plan Application Form (Ghana) in Ghana draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Land Act 2020 (Act 1036), the Lands Commission manages land registration in Ghana. Section 43 of the Land Act 2020 governs leases of stool and skin lands. The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) manages stool land revenue under Article 267 of the Constitution of Ghana 1992. The Land Court (High Court division) adjudicates land disputes. The Stamp Duty Act 2005 (Act 689) imposes duty on property instruments. Parties executing a Site Plan Application Form (Ghana) in Ghana should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Lands Commission Act 2008 (Act 767) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Site Plan Application Form (Ghana)?
A Site Plan Application in Ghana is required whenever a person or organisation needs a certified site plan for land-related transactions, registrations, or development activities.
A Site Plan Application is required when registering a land title for the first time under the Land Title Registration Act 1986 (PNDCL 152). The Lands Commission will not process a first registration application in a title registration district without a certified site plan that accurately delineates the boundaries of the parcel being registered.
A Site Plan Application is needed when recording a deed of conveyance, deed of assignment, or indenture at the Lands Commission under the Land Registration Act 1962 (Act 122). A certified site plan must accompany the deed to confirm the identity and location of the land being transferred.
A Site Plan Application is required when applying for a building permit from the relevant District, Municipal, or Metropolitan Assembly under the National Building Regulations 1996 (LI 1630). The Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) and the local planning authority require a certified site plan as the foundation document for any permit application.
A Site Plan Application is needed when a landowner wishes to subdivide a larger parcel into smaller plots for sale or development. Each resulting sub-plot must have its own certified site plan approved by the Lands Commission and the relevant planning authority under the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act 2016 (Act 925).
A Site Plan Application is required when a company registered under the Companies Act 2019 (Act 992) acquires land in Ghana as part of a commercial real estate transaction, joint venture development, or investment project registered with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) under the GIPC Act 2013 (Act 865).
A Site Plan Application is needed when resolving a boundary dispute referred to the Lands Commission, the Land Administration Project (LAP), or the High Court (Land Division) in Accra. A fresh certified site plan reflecting current boundary measurements is frequently required as evidence in such proceedings.
Parties in Ghana should prepare a Site Plan Application Form (Ghana) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under the Land Act 2020 (Act 1036), the Lands Commission manages land registration in Ghana. Section 43 of the Land Act 2020 governs leases of stool and skin lands. The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) manages stool land revenue under Article 267 of the Constitution of Ghana 1992. The Land Court (High Court division) adjudicates land disputes. The Stamp Duty Act 2005 (Act 689) imposes duty on property instruments. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Site Plan Application Form (Ghana)
A complete Site Plan Application in Ghana submitted to the Lands Commission under the Lands Commission Act 2008 (Act 767) and the Land Act 2020 (Act 1036) must contain the following essential elements.
Applicant Details: Full legal name, Ghana Card number, postal address, telephone number, and email address of the applicant. Where the applicant is a company registered under the Companies Act 2019 (Act 992), the company name, registration number issued by the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC), and details of the authorised signatory must be provided.
Land Location: Precise description of the land location, including the town or city, district, region, locality name, street name or road reference, plot number (if known), and any traditional or colloquial reference used in the area. In Northern Ghana, the land location should reference the skin or tendana authority responsible for the area.
Survey Reference: The survey plan number and date prepared by the licensed surveyor, the name and accreditation number of the surveying firm or professional surveyor licensed by the Ghana Survey and Mapping Institute (GSMI), and the sheet and block reference from the national cadastral map maintained by the Survey and Mapping Division of the Lands Commission.
Parcel Description: Land area in square metres or hectares, dimensions of each boundary expressed in metres, bearings or compass directions of each boundary, coordinates referenced to the Ghana national grid system, and a description of any physical features — fences, walls, drains, roads — forming the boundaries.
Evidence of Interest: Copy of the instrument creating the applicant's interest — freehold grant, lease, assignment, or allocation letter from a stool, skin, or family — stamped and registered at the Lands Commission, together with a statutory declaration confirming undisturbed possession where required.
Purpose of Application: Clear statement of the purpose for which the certified site plan is required — for example, first registration of title under PNDCL 152, deed registration under Act 122, building permit application, or subdivision approval.
Fee Payment: Evidence of payment of the prescribed Lands Commission fee for the relevant service, calculated in accordance with the current fee schedule published by the Commission. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) stamps the application documents for stamp duty purposes under the Stamp Duty Act 2005 (Act 689).
Forms-legal.com provides this Site Plan Application template as a starting point for landowners and developers in Ghana. The Lands Commission regional offices in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Cape Coast process applications. A licensed professional surveyor accredited by GSMI should prepare the technical site plan drawing to accompany this application form.
Additional compliance elements for a Site Plan Application Form (Ghana) used in Ghana include: Under the Land Act 2020 (Act 1036), the Lands Commission manages land registration in Ghana. Section 43 of the Land Act 2020 governs leases of stool and skin lands. The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) manages stool land revenue under Article 267 of the Constitution of Ghana 1992. The Land Court (High Court division) adjudicates land disputes. The Stamp Duty Act 2005 (Act 689) imposes duty on property instruments. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Ghana-compliant documentation.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Site Plan Application Form (Ghana) (Ghana) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/ghana/real-estate/property/site-plan-application-ghana
"Site Plan Application Form (Ghana) (Ghana)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/ghana/real-estate/property/site-plan-application-ghana.
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note = {Free legal document template}
}Frequently Asked Questions
The Lands Commission is a statutory body established under the Lands Commission Act 2008 (Act 767) with responsibility for managing public lands, advising on land policy, administering land transactions on behalf of government, and providing land services to the public. The Lands Commission operates through four divisions: the Land Administration Division, the Land Valuation Division, the Land Registration Division, and the Survey and Mapping Division. For site plan applications, the Survey and Mapping Division is responsible for maintaining the national cadastral maps and certifying site plans prepared by licensed surveyors. Section 18 of Act 767 authorises the Commission to charge prescribed fees for its services. The Commission has offices in Accra (national headquarters), Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Ho, Sunyani, Wa, Bolgatanga, and Sekondi-Takoradi.
Under the Survey Act 1962 (Act 127), only a professional surveyor licensed and accredited by the Ghana Survey and Mapping Institute (GSMI) is qualified to prepare a cadastral survey plan in Ghana. The GSMI maintains the register of licensed surveyors and survey firms. An unlicensed person cannot prepare a survey plan that will be accepted by the Lands Commission for registration or certification purposes. The Land Act 2020 (Act 1036) reinforces this requirement by providing that all survey plans supporting land transactions must be prepared by an accredited surveyor. Landowners should verify that their chosen surveyor holds a current licence from GSMI before engaging them. The Lands Commission itself employs licensed surveyors within its Survey and Mapping Division who may be engaged directly for certain services.
Processing times at the Lands Commission in Ghana vary depending on the complexity of the application, the accuracy and completeness of the documents submitted, and the workload of the relevant office. As a general guide, a standard site plan certification for a residential plot in a title registration area under the Land Title Registration Act 1986 (PNDCL 152) may take between four and twelve weeks. Complex applications — such as subdivisions, large commercial parcels, or parcels subject to boundary disputes — may take longer. The Land Administration Project (LAP), a government initiative supported by the World Bank, has worked to reduce processing times and improve the transparency of the Lands Commission. Applicants are advised to submit complete applications with all supporting documents and to follow up regularly with the relevant Lands Commission office.
If a site plan reveals an encroachment — where one parcel of land overlaps with or extends onto an adjoining parcel — the Lands Commission will not certify the plan until the boundary dispute is resolved. The applicant and the affected neighbour may attempt to resolve the dispute by agreement, with the assistance of a licensed surveyor who can re-survey the boundary. If agreement cannot be reached, the dispute may be referred to the Lands Commission for administrative resolution, to a chief or family head for customary mediation, or to the High Court (Land Division) in Accra for judicial determination. The Land Act 2020 (Act 1036) encourages alternative dispute resolution for land boundary disputes. Under Section 43 of Act 1036, only a certified site plan free from encroachments may support a valid land registration. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 2010 (Act 798) provides a framework for mediation and arbitration of land disputes.
A certified site plan is required for all land transactions in Ghana, including transactions involving stool land, skin land, and family land held under customary tenure. Under the Land Act 2020 (Act 1036), the State has a reversionary interest in all stool land and skin land. The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL), established under the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands Act 1994 (Act 481), administers stool land revenues and ensures that dispositions of stool land comply with the applicable legal requirements. A lease or assignment of stool land must be supported by a certified site plan, concurred in by the OASL, and registered at the Lands Commission. Without a certified site plan, the transaction cannot be validly registered or relied upon in court proceedings before the High Court (Land Division).
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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