Construction without a permit is a colloquial definition of a situation in which an investor can implement a given investment without obtaining a formal administrative decision in the form of a building permit. However, this does not mean that such construction can be carried out completely without formalities. In practice, most of the cases referred to as “without a permit” still require the notification of the works to the relevant office and the fulfillment of a number of technical and local conditions.
Interest in this form of investment increased especially after the introduction of simplified procedures for houses up to 70 m². Many people ask themselves: can I really put up a house without permission? The answer is yes, but under certain conditions. The building must be free-standing, single-storey, intended for own housing needs, and its built-up area must not exceed 70 m². In addition, the investor must submit an appropriate statement and construction project - even if a permit decision is not required, the documentation still remains mandatory. Other facilities such as sheds, gazebos, fences, small outbuildings or rainwater tanks can also be implemented in a similar mode, but each time it is necessary to make sure that a particular investment fits within the parameters allowed by the regulations. For example, when planning the construction of a small cottage with an area of up to 35 m², it is not necessary to apply for a permit, as long as the number of such objects does not exceed two for every 500 m² of plot.
It is worth remembering that not having to obtain a permit does not mean lack of responsibility.
The investor is still responsible for the compliance of the construction with the regulations, and formal errors can lead to serious consequences, including the legalization of construction self-determination or even the obligation to demolish.
Construction without a permit is a solution that facilitates and speeds up the implementation of simple objects, but does not exempt from the obligation to maintain diligence and knowledge of the regulations.
