Woodley–Kilimani planning area · DC Policy 2026

Kilimani zoning

Kilimani is a planning zone in the Woodley–Kilimani area of Nairobi. Under the Development Control Policy 2026 it is for high and Low density residential, Offices use. A building here can have up to 20 floors on the largest plots (fewer on smaller ones) and cover up to 50% of its plot. All its floors together can add up to 1,000% of the plot's area. The smallest plot allowed is 0.05 ha (500 m²).

Figures from the Nairobi City County Development Control Policy 2026, as mapped by Nairobi Maps. Updated 2026-10-24.

20Most floorsThe highest a building may go here

50%Ground coverageHow much of the plot a building may stand on

1,000%Plot ratioFloor space of all floors, as a share of the plot (FAR 10)

0.05 haSmallest plot500 m² — land cannot be split smaller

See Kilimani on the map All Nairobi zones

What the figures mean for a plot

The footprint is the plot's area times the ground coverage. The floor space is the plot's area times the plot ratio — unless the floors run out first, and here the policy allows fewer floors on smaller plots. For example:

Plot size	Area	Most floors	Largest footprint	Most floor space
0.05 ha	500 m²	10	250 m²	2,500 m²
0.1 ha	1,000 m²	15	500 m²	7,500 m²
0.128 ha	1,280 m²	15	640 m²	9,600 m²	A typical plot here
0.25 ha	2,500 m²	20	1,250 m²	25,000 m²

Read the way the Nairobi Maps map reads the policy. Across Nairobi, a plot smaller than 0.05 ha (500 m²) can hold only one home. For your exact plot, open it on the map: Nairobi Maps works the figures out for that plot.

What the policy says about Kilimani

20 floors on min plot 0.2ha, 15 floors on min plot of 0.1ha and 10 floors on 0.05ha Infrastructure: To secure approvals for commensurate expansion of sewer, water, electricity, roads by utility providers prior to commencement of densification. Privately developed infrastructure are also encouraged upon approval. No densification on comprehensive schemes. Subject to road widening.

Quoted from the policy. These rules can change the figures above for particular plots — for example by plot size or for plots facing a named road.

Plots in Kilimani

We count 1,687 land parcels in this zone. Half of them are smaller than 0.128 ha (1,280 m²); the middle half are between 0.0371 and 0.304 ha.

Where Kilimani is

The zone covers about 3.7 km² across 2 wards.

Zones next to Kilimani

Building or changing the use here?

Applications go to Nairobi City County on NPDMS. How planning approval works in Nairobi, which approval you need, and what to check on the plot first. Many projects also need NEMA’s environmental licence: NEMA licences in Nairobi.

Questions about Kilimani

How many floors can I build in Kilimani?

Up to 20 floors on the largest plots under the Nairobi Development Control Policy 2026, and fewer on smaller ones: 10 on a 0.05 ha plot, 15 on a 0.1 ha plot and 20 on a 0.2 ha plot. Check your exact plot on the Nairobi Maps map.

What is the minimum plot size in Kilimani?

0.05 hectares, which is 500 square metres. Land in this zone cannot be split into plots smaller than that. Across Nairobi, a plot under 0.05 ha can hold only one home.

What is the plot ratio in Kilimani?

1,000%. All floors together can add up to 1,000% of the plot's area — for example 10,000 m² of floor space on a 1,000 m² plot. The ground coverage is 50%, so the building can stand on up to 500 m² of that plot.

Which wards does the Kilimani zone cover?

Kilimani and Kileleshwa wards, by the boundaries on the Nairobi Maps map.

How do I get approval to build in Kilimani?

Building plans are submitted to Nairobi City County through its online planning system, NPDMS, by a registered architect and engineer, and they must keep within this zone’s limits set out above. If the use you want is not one the zone allows, a change of use comes first. Check your plot on the Nairobi Maps map before the drawings are made.

This page describes the policy, not a decision. Nairobi City County decides every application. Check a plot's registered details with an official search — see how to do a land search in Nairobi.