Building Permit

A building permit or other official approval is required for the construction of residential buildings and other construction that exceeds certain limits. A permit is also required for building extensions, significant repairs and alterations, and changes of use. The Building Act and the municipal building regulations define when building activities require a permit.

In addition to permit requirements and conditions for granting permits, the Building Act regulates permit application documents and the execution of construction work. A competent principal designer and a principal contractor must be appointed for the construction work. Building permits are applied for from the municipal building control authority.

Requirements

  • Applicant: Property holder (owner, person authorized by owner, or person controlling based on lease agreement)
  • Designers: Competent principal designer and principal contractor
  • Neighbor consultation: Notification to neighbors about the application, unless the project is minor
  • Permit conditions: The project must meet all legal and regulatory requirements
  • Deviation: If the project deviates from regulations, a deviation permit is required before building permit

Procedure

  • Application: Building permit is applied for from the municipal building control authority
  • Guidance: Building control authority provides guidance on the permit process
  • Neighbors: Notification to neighbors and information at the building site about the pending application
  • Processing: Authority processes the application and verifies compliance with conditions
  • Decision: Permit is granted if all conditions are met

Foreign operators

  • EEA countries: If a business operator is established in another European Economic Area state and temporarily provides services in Finland, the same permits are required as for operators established in Finland