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The construction law has been revised, and the change specifically concerns small-scale construction. 2025 At first According to the law that has entered into force, you can build on your own plot of land without a building permit maximum 30 square metres of a garden building, such as a garden sauna or a cabin. If building a garden sauna is topical, you will get useful information for your project from this article.
The new building law in a nutshell
A new building law came into force 1.1.2025. The reform has made the construction process of a garden sauna easier in the following ways:
- Since January every 30 m2 outbuildings, which are not intended for residential use, can be built without a building permit.
- Notification procedure Taiwan Neighbourly gossip we don't need it either.
- Building laws, fire safety regulations, and municipal bylaws must still be adhered to, and the responsibility lies with the developer.
Look What do people ask about building permit changes?. You will also receive answers to frequently asked questions, such as:
- How many buildings under 30 square metres can be built on a plot without a permit?
- How close to the shore can a sauna be built?
Although a permit is not required, the building law must be followed
Building a sauna building or lakeside cabin correctly is still the responsibility of the builder. Please note in particular that Building rights, minimise Yes Fire safety regulations must be followed.
It is also necessary to comply with the town plan, coastal town plan, municipal building regulations, or building code. If you wish to deviate from these, you must apply for a departure permit.
With a reliable, domestic sauna supplier, the process is worry-free. At Ehtalla, we always ensure that buildings comply with fire safety regulations and building laws. We will also help you clarify municipal regulations if you wish.
Do you loathe bureaucracy? Is there no time for your building project?
From Ehtaa, you can have a full-service package from paperwork to design, if you wish, and a completely ready-to-use building lifted directly onto the foundations. Read more 👉
This is how the building code reform has affected construction in practice
The reform of the building act appears successful. Reduced bureaucracy has increased small-scale construction, even though the number of building permits applied for has decreased by about 30-40%, depending on the municipality.
There is a lot of construction of sauna cottages at the moment, i.e. buildings that, in addition to a sauna, have a larger living space.
An article published by Yle in October 2025 The ’garden sauna law’, which the municipalities feared, has not brought about bigger problems like floods of complaints. The construction of small buildings such as garden saunas has therefore proceeded smoothly.
A few buildings have had to be demolished or moved elsewhere, but all in all, the renovation has also surprised the municipal building inspection department positively.
Lecture on legislative changes at the Spring Fair in Helsinki on 24.3.2024
During the Spring Fair 2024, the new Building Act was only just being introduced but it sparked a lot of discussion. A lecture was organised at the Spring Stage of the fair, featuring the CEO of Ehta Group and Sauna master Ville Laitila explained what the legislative change means in practice. At the same time, people asked questions on the topic, which the sauna master answered.
You can watch Ville's performance in the video below. Below is a compilation of frequently asked questions. and answers to them.
Questions and Answers
Are there any municipal differences in the necessity of a building permit?
With the new building Act coming into effect from the beginning of 2025, it will be possible to build structures under 30 square metres anywhere without a building permit. Municipalities can stipulate various construction-related matters in their building ordinances, which are worth being aware of. Municipalities don't however, it cannot be set More tight requirements for obtaining a building permit.
Do you need permission if there is a fireplace in the building?
Unlike before, the fireplace does not affect the need for a permit. From now on, garden saunas and other structures under 30m²2 Timber buildings can be constructed without a building permit.
How is it determined when a building is intended for residential use?
The building is intended for residential use if it has a cooking facility, in practice a stove.
What information will be required for an exception permit application going forward?
Based on current information, the same attachments will be required for a deviation permit application in the future as at present. These include an environmental map, a site plan, a document demonstrating control of the building plot, and a report on neighbour consultations.
How many buildings under 30 square metres can be built on a plot without a permit?
As many as you want. The Building Act does not take a stance on this. Instead in the formula Taiwan in the municipality's building regulations The number of buildings has likely been restricted.
Will there be some new red tape when the need for a building permit is removed?
There is no information forthcoming on this. For example, the new construction law does not recognise the notification procedure, so no notifications are required. Only new buildings need to be reported to the tax authorities for property taxation in the future.
Can a cabin built without a permit be habitable in winter?
Yes, you can. The thickness of the building's wall or heating method do not affect whether a building permit is required or not. Only whether the building has a stove makes a difference. According to the Building Act, a building without a building permit must not be used for residential purposes, and a stove is considered equipment intended for residential use.
How close to the shore can a sauna be built?
The minimum distances and area requirements for building on shorelines vary by municipality. The new building act did not bring about any changes to this situation. Generally, the distance required from the shore for a small lakeside sauna is in the region of 10-20 metres.
Is permission required if running water and sewerage are to be installed in a building?
No need. Plumbing, sewage, or electrification, for example, do not affect whether a building permit is required.
Can a garden sauna be built without permission if there are no building rights on the plot?
It is not possible. Building rights on a plot may not be exceeded. Exceeding building rights is only possible with an exception permit.
Here's how to build a yard sauna – instructions for planning and completing a successful project:
1. Ascertain the prerequisites for construction.
Clarify whether you need a building permit, how much building right you have on your plot, and if there are any other special regulations you need to consider. Common points to consider include the distance of the sauna from other buildings and from neighbours' plots. The distance to the main building can be reduced with fire compartmentation.
You can get information about plot and municipal regulations by calling your municipality's building supervision department.
If you want to take the easy way out, You can also contact an Ehta designer immediately. Our service covers everything if needed – right up to applying for a building permit or other bureaucracy.
2. Make a preliminary plan for your garden sauna
Make a preliminary plan for your garden sauna based on what you want from the building and what is possible.
Important questions:
- Just a sauna or a sauna cabin? Do you primarily want a good outdoor sauna, or something more at the same time?
- Sauna changing room provides better facilities for storing towels or, if desired, for changing clothes.
- WC or dry toilet + small hallway with towel hooks and a bench It could be the right solution for someone.
- Small sauna cabin This allows for a pleasant cooling-off and relaxation area alongside the sauna, and can even provide sleeping space for one or two. A fireplace and even a kitchenette can also be added to the sauna cabin.
- Large sauna cabin offers plenty of opportunities: living space, remote work space, accommodation needs, a decent bathroom and toilet, a kitchen? Perhaps you want to put your sauna cabin on AirBNB, in which case you could get your money back in a few years at best.
- Wood-fired sauna stove or electric sauna stove?
- On the terrace or without? A terrace can certainly be added later, but the possibility should be taken into account when planning the location of the sauna.
3. Realistically consider your own resources
Consider what your resources are for building: do you have the expertise, or should some part or the entire construction be outsourced?
Nowadays there are many options, including. Prefabricated building It will eventually be almost as cheap as building it yourself.
4. Finalise the plan and construct/have the foundations constructed
Provide detailed drawings of the building. Once you know the exact measurements, you can make the foundations.
Summer is a pleasant time for construction, but early spring is also excellent for log building. If you are planning to build during the winter, have the foundations ready in the autumn.
Ready-built houses can be delivered year-round, but the construction of foundations must also be taken into account. The most cost-effective and reliable method is to have the foundations completed during ice-free periods.
5. Take pleasure in the building process or prepare for a memorable moment when your ready-made sauna arrives in your garden.
Ready for a sauna Arrival plot of land it's a memorable experience worth capturing. If the package is truly comprehensive and the sauna has everything ready, down to the sauna stones, you can get into the sauna that very evening.
If you build it yourself, Prepare for schedule delays and unexpected twists and turns along the way. So, allow plenty of time to enjoy the build. At its best, a sauna construction project is a great lifelong memory.
Material supply It could be a good compromise, which will help keep the project more manageable and make planning easier. Assembling a log building is great fun! Ehtalta can provide you with all the materials for your home garden, numbered and with precise instructions if you wish – down to the last nut. You will also receive support with planning and a professional to call if you get stuck.
Building a pizza oven can also be a hassle-free project.
Would you like A ready-to-use outdoor sauna, fully complete., delivered to the foundations? Professionals will handle the planning for you too – naturally, to your satisfaction. If needed, we also offer a building permit service!
Ehta delivers ready-to-steam garden saunas With 1600 buildings of experience.
Our customers praise us for excellent and warm customer service, and for the good value for money in our buildings. Many customers also appreciate that we are a family business that builds with Finnish timber in Perho, Central Ostrobothnia.
Every one of our customers' dreams is also our dream.
Take the first step now and Book a remote planning session here! If you would prefer to call us, You can find our contact details here directly to the right people.
