On May 12, El Salvador launched the Directorate of Territorial Planning and Construction (DOT), a new institution under the Ministry of Governance and Territorial Development. Its main goal is to streamline and centralize all construction permit processes in the country.
On May 12, El Salvador launched the Directorate of Territorial Planning and Construction (DOT), a new institution under the Ministry of Governance and Territorial Development. Its main goal is to streamline and centralize all construction permit processes in the country.
The DOT was created in response to sustained growth in the construction sector, which has expanded between 6% and 8% annually over the last five years, according to the Central Reserve Bank. “In 2024 alone, investment reached $2.35 billion,” said José Antonio Velásquez, president of the Salvadoran Chamber of Construction (Casalco).
Paola Bardi, DOT’s executive director, said the new system replaces a fragmented model involving multiple agencies. “Previously, a permit could require over 30 technical visits. Now, we’ve reduced that to just three per phase,” she explained.
The DOT offers two models—integrated and individual—with the integrated one organizing the process into three phases: feasibility, permitting, and verification. The aim is to cut approval times from as long as 880 days to around 200.
Only projects of 250 square meters or more will be handled by the DOT. Smaller constructions remain under municipal authority. All processes are fully digital, with a platform allowing online submissions, payment tracking, and use of certified electronic signatures.
Casalco and other industry groups support the DOT’s creation, seeing it as a boost for legal certainty and investment. “We want safe, sustainable buildings that contribute to better urban development. That benefits everyone,” Bardi said.
The DOT was created in response to sustained growth in the construction sector, which has expanded between 6% and 8% annually over the last five years, according to the Central Reserve Bank. “In 2024 alone, investment reached $2.35 billion,” said José Antonio Velásquez, president of the Salvadoran Chamber of Construction (Casalco).
Paola Bardi, DOT’s executive director, said the new system replaces a fragmented model involving multiple agencies. “Previously, a permit could require over 30 technical visits. Now, we’ve reduced that to just three per phase,” she explained.
The DOT offers two models—integrated and individual—with the integrated one organizing the process into three phases: feasibility, permitting, and verification. The aim is to cut approval times from as long as 880 days to around 200.
Only projects of 250 square meters or more will be handled by the DOT. Smaller constructions remain under municipal authority. All processes are fully digital, with a platform allowing online submissions, payment tracking, and use of certified electronic signatures.
Casalco and other industry groups support the DOT’s creation, seeing it as a boost for legal certainty and investment. “We want safe, sustainable buildings that contribute to better urban development. That benefits everyone,” Bardi said.