Obtaining a Building Permit

Obtaining a Building Permit

One of the most important steps before undertaking any construction activity is obtaining official authorization from the competent authorities, in the form of a building permit.

This permit confirms the legality of construction operations. In the absence of such authorization, any construction activity is considered unlawful.

Legal Consequences of Construction Without a Building Permit

Stages of Obtaining a Building Permit

To obtain a construction permit, the following steps must be carefully completed:

• File Registration: The first step in obtaining a building permit is to establish an official file. The property owner or their legal representative must visit the nearest electronic municipal service office and submit all required documents. Applicants may submit requests for construction, renovation, or demolition permits through these offices and schedule a property inspection. Following registration, a municipal officer will visit the property on a designated date to record relevant details, including the existing structure, property dimensions, and width of adjacent access routes. The inspection date is communicated to the applicant in advance.
• Preparation of the Design Instruction: After inspecting and evaluating the land, the municipality issues a design instruction to the owner. This instruction includes information such as required municipal modifications, the permitted number of floors, and the allowable floor area for each level. These calculations are based on factors such as street width, zoning classification, and other land-related criteria. The owner must then submit this information to an architect for the next stage.
• Architectural Design: The most critical stage in the process is preparing architectural plans that strictly comply with the issued design instructions. The plans are reviewed in accordance with municipal and fire safety regulations and optimized to ensure adequate parking, architectural harmony, aesthetics, and functional coordination. Once completed, the plans are submitted to the electronic service office for review. If revisions are required, they are communicated to the owner for correction.
• Payment of Municipal Fees: Upon completion of the above steps, the owner must pay the applicable municipal fees. The amount is calculated based on the number of floors, the property’s total floor area, and its zoning density. The owner must pay the assessed amount to the relevant municipal revenue authority.
• Preparation of Draft Documentation: Draft preparation requires the owner to return to the electronic service office to complete a form authorizing the appointment of a supervising engineer. After this step, the owner awaits notification of the assigned supervisor. Following the appointment, a contract must be concluded between the owner and the supervising engineer. This contract, together with the commitment to comply with corrective requirements, the green permit form, and the facade approval, must be submitted to the electronic service office.

Draft Documentation Requirements

• Approved green permit forms in four disciplines: architecture, structural engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
• Supervising the engineer’s green permit form together with the supervision contract between the owner and the supervisor.
• Facade approval and written commitment to comply with corrective requirements.
• Electrical, structural, and mechanical design files.
• Soil approval report and geotechnical consultation commitment.

Issuance of the Building Permit

After completing the above steps, the final stage is printing and issuing the building permit. The following approvals must be obtained at this stage:

• Approval of the detailed plan for frontage and floor area.
• Approval of the head of the permit issuance department.
• Approval of the deputy of architecture and urban planning.
• Final municipal approval.

Validity Period of the Building Permit

A building permit is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. If the owner fails to complete construction within this period, a notice will be issued, and delay penalties, in the form of additional fees, may apply.

The permitted construction period is determined by the total area and number of floors and communicated to the owner.

It should be noted that the municipality provides sufficient opportunity for extension. Once this extension period expires, further extension is not permitted.

If construction is not completed within the allowed timeframe, the owner must apply for a new building permit. In such cases, 20% of the permit calculations will be updated based on current rates, after which the municipality may grant an extension of up to 3 years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Obtaining a Building Permit