The Review
The Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) expects to complete a technical review of the 2019 Rwanda Building Code before the end of 2026, Director General Alphonse Rukaburandekwe told The New Times. Green construction, rainwater harvesting and efficient use of natural resources are among the issues under review. The revised code will then pass through further government steps before it reaches Parliament.
No new requirements have been announced yet.
What Already Applies
- Rainwater harvesting is mandatory for all buildings and is checked at design stage, before a permit is issued: the roof catchment, gutters, tank size and location, and a calculation of how much water can be collected.
- The Green Building Minimum Compliance System, introduced with the 2019 code, scores 29 indicators, from ventilation and daylight to renewable energy, water-efficient fittings and wastewater treatment. It is mandatory for new Category 4 and 5 buildings, the larger and more complex projects, and voluntary for the rest.
- Plot coverage and setbacks are checked against the master plan, along with how much of the plot is paved, because hard surfaces increase stormwater runoff.
What It Means for Builders and Buyers
Any tightening would land on design costs and on how much of a plot can be built on. Until a revised code is published, plans should follow the 2019 code and the limits of the plot's zone. Ziinga's zoning guides set out the uses and building limits for every zone, and the value check shows which zone a plot sits in.