Building permits in Bali: PBG and SLF

This is information, not legal advice. It summarises the regulation texts listed under sources, as read on 2026-10-22. Local procedure and fees are set by each regency (kabupaten): ask your architect or permit agent what the regency where your plot sits requires today.

PBG: building approval, before you build

What it is. PP 16/2021 defines the PBG as the licence given to a building owner to build new, alter, extend, reduce and/or maintain a building in line with the building technical standards (Art. 1 point 17). The Job Creation law (UU 6/2023) amended the Buildings Law (UU 28/2002) so that construction is carried out after a PBG has been obtained (new Art. 36A).

What happened to the IMB. Buildings that already held an izin mendirikan bangunan (IMB) issued by the regency before PP 16/2021 took effect keep it until it expires (Art. 346(2)). A building that already stands without a PBG must go through the SLF process to obtain one (Art. 346(3)).

When. The owner must apply before construction starts (Art. 253(4)).

How it works (Art. 253 to 261).

The applicant or owner registers through SIMBG, the government’s web system for PBG and SLF (Art. 1 point 48), with the owner’s data, the building data and the technical design documents (Art. 253(9) and (10)).
A planning consultation checks the design against the technical standards. The consultation itself is free of charge (Art. 253(8)), and is carried out by the regency’s expert panel (TPA) or technical panel (TPT) (Art. 254(2)).
If the design complies, the owner receives a statement of compliance with technical standards, which is used to obtain the PBG (Art. 260(5)).
The regency sets a local levy (retribusi daerah), the applicant pays it, and the PBG is issued (Art. 261(1)). The levy is calculated from an index based on the building’s function and classification and a unit rate set by the regency (Art. 261(3) to (5)).

The function of a building has to match the zoning in the detailed spatial plan (RDTR), and it is written into the PBG; changing the function needs a new PBG (UU 28/2002 as amended by UU 6/2023, Art. 6). Ask early whether your plot’s zoning allows the use you plan, for example a rental villa.

SLF: certificate of fitness, before you use it

What it is. A certificate issued by the regional government stating that a building is fit for its function before it can be used (Art. 1 point 18). The owner must obtain it before the building is used (Art. 274(2)).

How it is issued.

After construction, the construction supervision or construction management provider makes a checklist from its supervision reports, inspections and commissioning tests (Art. 272(1) and (2)).
On that basis it issues a statement of fitness for function (Art. 272(4) and (6)). For a single house of one storey up to 72 m2, or two storeys up to 90 m2, built without a supervision provider, the regency’s inspector (Penilik) issues the statement instead (Art. 272(5)).
The statement is uploaded to SIMBG and the regency issues the SLF together with the building ownership certificate (SBKBG) within 3 working days, free of charge (Art. 274(1) and 276).

Renewal. An SLF must be renewed: every 20 years for single and terraced houses, and every 5 years for other buildings (Art. 297(2)). Renewal starts with a fitness inspection (Art. 297(3)). Ask your permit agent which class your building is in.

What your builder or permit agent should handle

Confirm the zoning for the plot before design is fixed.
Prepare the technical design documents (dokumen rencana teknis) that the application needs.
Register in SIMBG, attend the planning consultation, and answer the panel’s revision requests.
Give you the levy assessment and the issued PBG, in your name as owner, before work begins.
During construction, appoint or work with a supervision provider whose reports will support the statement of fitness.
After completion, obtain the statement of fitness and the SLF, and hand both to you.

Warning signs

A builder who proposes to start work before the PBG is issued. The law says construction follows the PBG (UU 28/2002 Art. 36A as amended; PP 16/2021 Art. 253(4)).
A quote that bundles “permits” without naming the PBG, the SLF and who pays the regency levy.
A permit issued in someone else’s name, or for a different building function from the one you plan.

Who does this work

Permit agents run the application for the owner.
Architects and engineers prepare the technical documents.
Builders and project managers carry out and supervise the work that the SLF rests on.

Which building permits do I need to build a villa in Bali, and who applies for them?