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The updated Building Act is now in force – building permits for sheds or garden saunas under 30 square metres are a thing of the past!
Which came into force at the beginning of 2025 according to their own plot, a building can be built without a building permit that:
- at most 30 square metres yes, 120 cubic meters in volume;
- it is not a residential building, meaning it does not contain a cooker;
- may include a fireplace (such as a hearth or stove).
So There is no longer a need to apply for a building permit for the construction of a pigsty, shed, or cabin. – as long as the building size stays within that modest 30 square metres.
Building regulations of course, must continue to be followed. However, the process is simplified. Permission also costs – therefore the builder will also save at least €200-800.
In practice The size of the pool area usually remains every 20 millimetres, ..., some people also want to use the building for other purposes.
If you want a larger living space connected to the sauna that allows for accommodating guests or even a remote working station, the building size usually still hovers around 20-30 square metres. A well-designed 20-30 square metre sauna cabin provide even luxurious facilities.
If you are planning a larger building or one intended for residential use, you will still need to obtain a building permit – you can also find help with applying for a building permit in this article.
Article content:
Poultry house building permit in 2025
The new Building Act, approved by Parliament on 1 March 2023, came into force at the beginning of 2025. The Act makes it easier for those considering building permits, and especially for sauna builders.
The practices for granting building permits have varied between municipalities, but now the granting of building permits in municipalities is becoming more uniform. At the same time, the building permit, the measure permit, and the measure notification are merging into a single permit form., building permit. A permit and notification for the measure are no longer required separately.
A 30-square-metre cottage or sauna no longer requires a building permit.
A significant change is that all for home use intended, All outbuildings of 30 square metres can henceforth be built without a building permit. There is also an upper limit for the volume of buildings: 120 cubic metres. In practice, this means that the average height of an outbuilding must be less than 4 metres.
The building permit is affected only by the square footage, and no longer by factors such as the existence of a sauna heater or fireplace. Therefore, you can freely build either sauna, sauna cottage, Aidan, Guest house Taiwan Remote work building, as long as the building does not have a hob.
Obligation to notify This applies to all buildings: therefore, notify the municipal building control for all buildings. The notification obligation ensures that the completed building meets the legal criteria and is safe for its users.
What is a residential building according to building control?
All buildings with a stove are considered residential buildings. According to the guidelines, a fireplace – such as a hearth or a sauna stove – is not a stove, and therefore the facilities of a sauna cabin and a sauna can be put in place even without a building permit process.
Please also check the others below, just in case building act criteria.
Building Act – What types of buildings require a building permit?
Under Section 42 of the Building Act, a building permit is required for the following constructions:
Residential building;
2) a building with a floor area of at least 30 square metres or a volume of at least 120 cubic metres;
3) A canopy of at least 50 square metres;
4) a public building structure that can be used simultaneously by at least five natural persons;
a mast or chimney at least 30 metres high;
6) an illuminated advertising device of at least 2 square metres in size;
energy well;
8) A site to be constructed for special activities, which will have an impact on the use of the surrounding areas.
Finlex: Building Act 751/2023 (The law will come into effect from the beginning of 2025)
Municipalities and cities sometimes interpret building legislation differently. If something is unclear, it is always advisable to ask your own municipality's building control department for their opinion on your plans.
Remember to follow the building regulations
Even if the building you are designing does not require a building permit, Building regulations must always be followed in all construction., as prescribed in the plan, the building rights and Construction regulations.
The easiest way to ensure compliance is to contact your local municipal building control department. This way, you will also receive the correct information on municipal-specific regulations and interpretations at the same time.
How to obtain a building permit
A building permit must be obtained Municipal building supervision. Building control contact details can be most easily found online by Googling. Obtaining a building permit for a garden sauna is fairly easy and straightforward. A building permit application can be submitted in writing or electronically, for example www.lupapiste.fi:through in those municipalities that are participating in the service.
To obtain a building permit for the construction of a sauna cabin or a garden sauna, you will need a number of different documents. Applying for a building permit for a ready-made sauna is easier, as sauna manufacturers will provide you with the necessary documents. If, on the other hand, you build the garden sauna yourself, obtaining the documents will fall to you. For garden saunas under 30 square metres, a permit is not required.
For a building permit for a sauna, you will need at least:
- Chimney flue report
- sauna floor plan
- Assembly drawing
- facade drawing
- sauna style cutaway diagram
- Tontti documentation
The municipal employees will help you with applying for a building permit for your sauna. We at Ehtasauna are also here to assist you throughout the process and will help with any questions you may have.
If you are interested in a garden sauna construction project and a building permit, and would like more information, please contact us – we are happy to help!
Explore Ehta's sauna cottages and garden saunas
Remember these: building a garden sauna
Purpose
Consider what you want from a garden sauna. Will you also use it in winter? Does it function as additional accommodation? Read more about sauna sizing in our article: Sauna dimensions
Foundations
Durable and proper foundations ensure that your sauna will last better and won't sink, for example. Read more about choosing the right foundations in our article: Chicken coop foundations ABC >>
DIY or shop-bought
Do you want to and can you build a sauna yourself? Is there enough time? Read about the cost of building your own sauna or getting a ready-made one in our article: Sauna cabin price
Appearance
Would you like a traditional or a more modern look for your sauna? What colour sauna would you like? Would you perhaps like a large window directly overlooking the lake?. Read more of our articles:
Frequently asked questions about building permit amendments
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.
