Buying
Building permits in Bali: PBG, SLF and what replaced the IMB
What permit a building needs, what happens when it does not have one, and why 'the IMB is being processed' is a warning.
Updated 21 September 2026 · 1 min read
Permit and reality must match
Two failures are common. The first is no permit at all. The second, and more insidious, is a permit that does not match what was built — an extra storey, a pool that was not on the drawing, a footprint larger than approved. The second looks clean in the paperwork and fails at the survey.
Ask for the permit and the approved drawings, then walk the building against them. It takes an hour.
Common questions
Is IMB still used in Bali?
The IMB was superseded by the PBG. Older buildings may hold a valid IMB; new construction is permitted under the PBG regime.
Can I buy a villa without a building permit?
You can, and people do. You inherit the problem: no lawful commercial letting, difficulty reselling, and exposure to enforcement.