Building permit

A building permit is a document (administrative act – decision) on the basis of which construction of a building can begin. It establishes that the main or conceptual design has been prepared in accordance with the regulations and established conditions that a building must meet at a specific location, and that all necessary prerequisites for construction have been met.

A building permit is required for buildings that are determined by decree of the Government of the Republic of Croatia or for buildings that are built on the territory of two or more counties.

Procedures for issuing construction permits are governed by the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction (Official Gazette 76/07, 38/09).

Who issues the building permit?

The building permit is issued by the state administration office in the county, or the office of the City of Zagreb, competent for construction matters in the area where the building is being built, unless otherwise provided for by the Construction Act or special laws.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Spatial Planning issues building permits for the following buildings: transport and communication buildings, energy buildings, water buildings, industrial buildings, waste management buildings and buildings for special purposes.

In order to issue a building permit, it is necessary to obtain a certificate of compliance of the main project with special regulations. Such a certificate is issued by the bodies and/or persons who participated in issuing the location permit for that building.

Documentation for building permit

• request (investor)
• 3 (three) copies of the master project with a bound copy of the text of the final location permit and special conditions that are an integral part of the location permit
• written report on the control of the main project
• subdivision study certified by the competent cadastre office with confirmation from the ministry that issued the location permit, on compliance with location conditions for the shape and size of the new building plot
• * proof from the investor that he has the right to build on the land from which the building plot will be formed, or on an existing building

Additional documentation is required in the following cases:

• project made according to foreign regulations – written report and certificate of nostrification
• study on geotechnical and other investigative works, as well as technological, traffic and other studies, if the data from these studies were used to create the main project
• required temporary building – 3 (three) copies of the main project for that building and other attachments

How long is a building permit valid?

The building permit is valid for two years from the date of its entry into force, and permanently if work begins within that period.

At the request of the investor, the validity of the construction permit can be extended once for another two years, if the conditions on the basis of which it was issued have not changed.

* Proof from the investor that he has the right to build:

1. extract from the land register
2. contract or decision of the competent state authority on the basis of which the investor acquired the right of ownership, the right to build or the right of easement
3. a partnership agreement concluded with the owner of a property, the purpose of which is the joint construction or renovation of a building
4. concession contract granting the right to build
5. written consent of the owner of an existing building in the event of reconstruction, extension, upgrade and redevelopment (adaptation) of that building, unless otherwise provided for by a special law
6. written consent of the fiduciary owner issued to the previous owner of the property who is an investor