Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Herald Reporter
BULAWAYO City Council has announced that, beginning next month, it will only accept building plans prepared by professionals registered with the Architects Council of Zimbabwe (ACZ), as part of efforts to enforce national building standards and ensure compliance with updated regulations.
In a statement, acting town clerk Mr Tennyson Mpunzi said in terms of the Model Building By-Laws of Zimbabwe, no building work may commence before plans are submitted to and approved by the local authority.
He said the requirement is reinforced by Statutory Instrument 56 of 2025, which amends the Architects’ Act and stipulates that building plans must be prepared by registered architects, technologists, technicians or draughtpersons.
“As such, with effect from 1 December 2025, the City of Bulawayo will only accept plans prepared by architects, technologists, technicians or draughtpersons who are registered with the Architects Council of Zimbabwe,” said Mr Mpunzi.
He urged developers and residents to verify the registration status of those preparing their building plans before submission to council.
According to the city, the list of ACZ-registered professionals is available at the Building Control Reception at the Revenue Hall (next to Counter 1) and at the 8th-floor reception in the Tower Block Municipal Building.
Verification may also be obtained directly from the Architects Council of Zimbabwe via telephone on +26324 (2) 704242 or through its website at www.zimarchitects.com
