Construction exempted from permit application
You don’t always need a permit to build, but you must always follow building regulations and the law. In addition to building regulations and the law, there are regional regulations for construction in the zoning plan, building codes and building bylaws. Any deviation from these requires a derogation.
The plan may contain provisions on the size and number of buildings allowed, among other things. Building regulations may include provisions on the placement of buildings, roof form, façade materials or colours. The developer is responsible for ensuring that the regulations are complied with, that sufficient design expertise and responsible persons are obtained, and that the construction complies with the building regulations. The plans must comply with the regulations. The building must meet the essential technical requirements laid down in the building regulations.
Construction must always comply with building regulations:
- The building right indicated in the plan may not exceed
- The town plan and the general plan must be complied with
- Essential technical requirements must be met
- The building regulations must be complied with
If the construction is not in accordance with the plan, you must always apply for a derogation (even a slight overrun of the building area).
Where can I build?
Conformity means that
- built on an existing building site (plot or other area to be built on) zoned for the intended use
- the building site has been allocated building rights (in the town plan or building regulations) and the building rights are not exceeded
- the construction is located in
- in a building area designated in the zoning plan and in accordance with the zoning regulations and building code, or
- in an area covered by a general plan with legal effect, at least four metres from the boundaries of the property or eight metres from neighbouring buildings.
Without a permit, you cannot build on an undeveloped site in a planning zone or in a coastal area. No building is allowed in coastal areas without a derogation decision, except for an extension of an existing building site in the same yard or a coastal zone plan or a legally effective sub-planning allowing the building.
What can I build?
Exemptions from the permit requirement include:
- buildings of less than 30m² (e.g. sauna building, outbuilding, warehouse), excluding residential and leisure buildings.
- separate canopies of less than 50m² (carport)
- at least 1/3 of the wall area of the canopy is open or can be opened (glazing)
- the surface area is measured from the outside of the load-bearing structures
In the case of exempted construction, it is advisable to obtain written consent from neighbours to avoid disputes. The construction must not cause unreasonable inconvenience to neighbours.
The building must be located at least four metres from the plot boundary, unless the plan allows building closer to the boundary. The building must be compatible with the built environment and landscape and must not cause nuisance to neighbours.
With regard to the load-bearing capacity of structures, special attention should be paid not only to the strength of the structures but also to the adequate design of the snow load. The building must be safe to use. Roof and surface water drainage and topsoil slopes must be provided. Rainwater must not be discharged outside the plot.
In coastal areas, additional construction must take into account adequate distance from the shoreline, floodplains and building in a landscape. Dredging is subject to authorisation.
A building exempted from the permit may have a fireplace. The chimney must be located at least 4 metres from the neighbour’s boundary and extend beyond the bottom of the eaves of the dwelling less than 8 metres from the building.
If the building has a sewage system, it must be connected to the existing sewage system. Outside the zoning area, the water may be infiltrated into the ground in accordance with the City of Rauma’s environmental regulations.
The positioning and construction of car shelters must take into account fire safety. The car shelter must be located at a sufficient distance from existing buildings on the plot and from the boundary and buildings of the neighbouring property.
A good general rule is to remember to keep a distance of eight metres from other buildings and four metres from the boundary of the plot. For more information on fire safety in car shelters, see the Small House Fire Code.
The designer is required
Construction requires a designer and other responsible persons depending on the complexity of the site.
The low demanding category (cold buildings, sheds, small roofs) requires sufficient skills on the part of the designer, while the normal demanding category (sauna buildings, car shelters, large roofs) requires a degree and skills in construction.
Also, in order to prevent moisture and mould damage, a structural engineer with experience in structural design should be consulted.
Advice from building control
The Building Control Service provides advice and guidance on construction and assists in assessing whether a permit is required.
For exempted construction, the builder will obtain adequate expertise and guidance from the designer, who will determine the technical requirements of the construction and ensure compliance with the regulations.
The building control authority will not issue a building permit for projects for which a permit is not actually required.