Building permit

You need a building permit for building a building. A building is a fixed or stationary construction, structure or institution intended for housing, work, storage or other use that, due to its properties, requires official supervision for reasons related to safety, health, landscape, habitability, environmental aspects or other statutory objectives.

A time limit may be set for the building permit concerning a fixed-term stationary building.

You can apply for an action permit for certain minor construction projects.

Requirements

The permit is granted if all requirements for the permit have been met. If the project deviates from the provisions and regulations, a permit for an exception to the restrictions may be required before the building permission is granted.

If the entrepreneur has established itself in another country in the European Economic Area and temporarily offers services in Finland, the same permits are required as from entrepreneurs established in Finland.

Instructions

Complete the permit application in the electronic Lupapiste.fi service, and attach the necessary documents to your application. Lupapiste requires identification and registration in the service.

The builder can also authorise the designer or other equivalent foreperson to apply for the permit.

Projects concerning detached houses or something larger should be presented to the building supervisory body when the building’s design is a draft, before devising the final master plan. You can significantly improve the quality of design and construction by participating in the preliminary guidance organised by the supervisory control of building. Preliminary guidance helps with the building permit process and shortens the processing time.

A building inspector or an environmental board grants the permit.

Applications for a building permit must be submitted to the municipal building supervisory authority, which also provides advice in the matter.

The application for the building permit may be submitted by the titleholder of the building site (the owner, the person authorised by the owner, or the person controlling the building site on the basis of a lease or other agreement).

In most cases, neighbours must be notified when an application for a building permit is submitted. 'Neighbour' refers to owners and titleholders of adjacent or opposite properties or other areas. The fact that the application has been submitted must at the same time be publicised on the building site by suitable means. The notification is not required when the project is of minor nature, or the impact of the project is not relevant to the neighbours' interests. The need to hear the neighbours is determined by the building supervisory authority.

Payment information

A fee is charged for the service.

Subject to a fee in accordance with the supervisory control of building rates.

Service background and legislation

A building permit or other official approval is required for nearly all construction work. A building permit or an action permit is also required for extending a building or for substantial repair and alteration work or for work aimed at altering the intended use of a building. A minor construction project may only require an action permit or a notification to the municipal building supervisory authority. Provisions on these matters are contained in the Land Use and Building Act. A municipality may also, in its building code, determine which measures require a building permit and an action permit.

In addition to provisions on the permits and the preconditions for granting a permit, the Land Use and Building Act also contains provisions on the documents used in permit applications, designers’ competence requirements, the construction work and the persons responsible for the construction project.