1.    Explain briefly what official permissions are needed in relation to buildings, and what authority grants them. Is permission needed for:

• The erection of a building
• The alteration of a building
• The detailed design of a building
• The materials and method of construction
• The demolition of a building

Aforementioned works are only allowed based on a construction or demolition authorization, issued under special law, at the request of the holder of a real right over an immovable.

Works which do not modify the resistance and/or architectural aspect of the construction can be performed without authorization.

2.    Are buildings of a certain age exempt from any of these requirements?

Present legislation does not distinguish by the age of buildings. Previous regulations were even more restrictive in terms of technical and legal regime of construction works.

3.    Is official permission needed for the use to which land or buildings are put?

As it was mentioned above, the construction/demolition authorization is issued at the request of the holder of a real right over an immovable (meaning land with or without constructions).

Another right over an immovable (e.g. a rental right) entitles to an authorization only for provisional construction.

4.    How does one discover whether the necessary permissions exist? Is it recorded in the land register, cadastre or some other register?

In accordance with the Law on cadastre and real estate publicity, ownership of the building is registered in the cadastre and land book system under the building authorization and the reception report certifying the completion of work signed by the local authority or a certificate issued by local authority in whose jurisdiction the building is edified, and a cadastral documentation.

5.    Are additional permissions needed in particular geographical areas? How does one discover whether a property is in such an area? Is it recorded in the land register, cadastre or some other register?

Law authorizing the execution of construction works establishes mandatory submission of necessary opinions in order to perform works on buildings that are located in geographic areas with special legal regime or having historic quality.

Interested person is made aware of any legal limitation through the urbanism certificate which is a piece of documentation prepared in order to obtain the building authorization and is issued by local authorities.

6.    Are there additional requirements for permission to alter or demolish certain buildings because of their age or architectural or historic value? How does one discover that such additional requirements exist? Is it recorded in the land register, cadastre or some other register?

See answer 5.