Checklist: documents and steps for a building permit

In Croatia a building permit (građevinska dozvola) is issued under the Building Act and the Spatial Planning Act and their implementing regulations. The procedure and the documents required depend on the type of building, its location and the regulations in force, which change.

1. Before the design

The designated use of the plot and the building conditions in the spatial plan have been checked

You have collected the land register extract and a copy of the cadastral plan, or other proof of the right to build

You have established whether the project needs a separate act setting out building conditions or whether the spatial plan is sufficient

You know whether the plot has special conditions (nature protection, cultural heritage, water, maritime domain)

A land survey base (geodetska podloga) has been ordered

2. The design

An authorised designer has been selected, with suitable designers for the individual disciplines

The main design (glavni projekt) contains all the volumes required for the type of building, for example architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, and water supply and drainage

The design complies with the conditions of the spatial plan

Each volume carries the designer’s details and the necessary certifications

The reports and calculations that the regulations require for your building exist, for example on energy performance and fire protection

The design has been reviewed before submission: the disciplines have been checked for consistency with one another

3. Special conditions and approvals

You have established which public authorities issue special conditions, connection conditions or approvals for your project

Connection conditions have been obtained from the utility and distribution companies

You know which conditions are time-limited and when they expire

If the project requires it, an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment for the ecological network has been checked

4. The permit application

The application has been submitted to the competent authority in the prescribed manner

The main design and proof of the right to build are attached

The prescribed administrative fees and charges have been paid

You have kept the confirmation of submission and the case number

Someone is designated to follow the procedure and respond to requests for additional documents

5. Course of the procedure

Requests for additional documents are dealt with without delay and within the period the authority sets

Additional documents are submitted in full and with confirmation of submission

You monitor whether the public authorities have delivered their opinions

You know the rights of the parties to the procedure, including neighbours

6. After the permit

The decision has been checked: the details of the investor, the plot and the building are correct

You know how long the permit is valid and what happens if construction does not start

You know the conditions and obligations set out in the decision

The start of construction is notified to the competent authority as the regulations require

A supervising engineer and a construction manager (voditelj građenja) have been appointed

The contractor is engaged only with a complete design and bill of quantities

The regulations, procedures and documents for permits change, and some simpler works may be built without a building permit on the basis of another act. A reliable list should always be confirmed with the designer or the competent administrative authority. This is a general checklist, not legal advice. It does not replace a professional assessment. For your specific case, consult a designer, lawyer, notary or another suitable professional.

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