Building permit: what, when and what types

A building permit is a document issued by the municipality that certifies the urban planning compliance of a property or construction project. Find out what building permits are, when they are needed, and the main differences between them.

What is a building permit?

A building permit is the administrative authorization required to legally construct or renovate a property. It demonstrates compliance with the urban planning, technical, and environmental regulations of the municipality, and has legal value for all relevant building practices.

What are the building permits according to current legislation?

In addition to the Building Permit, building permits also include other administrative procedures necessary for the execution of any type of work on a property.

Those currently required by current legislation are:

• Building Permit (PdC): for new constructions, significant renovations, or urban planning variations
• CILA (Certified Notice of Commencement of Works): for extraordinary maintenance work without structural changes
• SCIA (Certified Notification of Commencement of Work): for work involving structural changes, immediate commencement of work
• Super SCIA (alternative to Building Permit): for complex interventions similar to PdC, with longer timescales and additional costs
• Free construction: no permit required for minor interventions (e.g., painting, minor repairs)

It is important to obtain a building permit before starting construction or renovation work, as construction or renovation without a building permit may result in legal penalties and, in serious cases, even the withdrawal of the permit.

When is it necessary to obtain a permit?

Permits are mandatory for construction work that affects the safety, volume, structure, or intended use of the property:

• New construction
• Extensions or structural modifications
• Subdivisions, change of use, extraordinary maintenance

Do I always need to apply for a building permit to renovate my home?

Not always: for simple works (e.g., painting, replacement of fixtures), a simple building permit is sufficient. For more substantial works, it is necessary to assess whether a CILA, SCIA, Super SCIA, or PdC is required.

Who issues the building permit?

The municipality, through the One-Stop Shop for Building (SUE). A qualified technician is required for documentation and certification.

What is the difference between SCIA and Super SCIA?

SCIA allows immediate commencement of work for medium-sized projects; Super SCIA is used for more complex projects, with waiting times, costs, and documentation similar to a building permit.

Do you want to check the building permits before selling or renovating? Toscano assists you in checking building permits and urban planning regularization, to guarantee a sale or intervention in total safety and compliance.