Permitting basics

If you are undertaking a construction project somewhere in the Czech Republic, you should be aware of the approval procedure before starting construction, as well as the inspection procedure for building use and the operation agreement, which is quite strictly governed by the Building Act and other related regulations. Czech laws are progressively updated to reflect construction development, to support investment plans and to promote environmental protection and safety.

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is the initial phase of each building project even if such project is planned in an area with a valid land-use plan. Apart from verification of the new building's compliance with the land-use plan, all of the environmental aspects have to be evaluated on the basis of the project announcement and related studies. The existing state is compared with the future situation brought about by the new building and its operation. The environmental limits are verified by specialists and approved by the authorities. Both the relevant authorities and the general public have to be informed about all of the prepared projects and can express their standpoints regarding those projects.

The location of a building and its connection to utilities has to be approved in the planning permit procedure, which can take several different forms depending on the scope of the building and the conclusions of the EIA. Regardless of which form the procedure takes, statements of all the relevant authorities and utility providers have to be collected and incorporated into the planning permit documentation. Though the authorities should issue their statements within the period stipulated by the Administrative Code, in complicated cases they have a right to extend the deadline.

After a valid planning permit has been obtained and all of the necessary statements collected on the basis of the building permit documentation, a building permit can be applied for. This step is not necessary for the precisely defined group of small and simple buildings with no environmental, public health or safety impacts. A building notice or even no action is required for such buildings.

Following the completion of construction, a final inspection of the building by all of the involved authorities has to be carried out in accordance with the usage rules set forth in the Building Act and in all of the conditions of the previous permits and statements. If all conditions are fulfilled, a trial operation permit is then issued in the case that there are some requirements given by the authorities during the proceedings or by building use agreement.

Due to this quite complicated permit procedure, which is composed of several steps and can be carried out in several different ways, it is appropriate to use the services of an experienced design and construction company whose authorised designers and specialists are able to adjust your project according to the Czech regulations and prepare all of the necessary documentation so that the permit procedures run smoothly.

Ing. Zida Kůsová Czech Commercial Officer TAKENAKA kusova@takenaka.cz www.takenaka.cz