Building Supervision - Smooth Permit Processes in Vörå
Planning to build your dream home? Dreaming of a bigger terrace? Considering a garage? Daydreaming about a balcony? Planning to tear down the woodshed and build a playhouse? Nearly all construction requires building permits or other approvals. Whether you want to renovate your workshop or install geothermal heating in your house, it's wise to check what types of permits are needed. You can easily do this by contacting the municipality, which helps us all comply with land use and building regulations. In Vörå's building regulations, you can find out which building projects require permits, approvals, and/or notifications.
The Building and Environmental Committee grants building permits for the first building on a site outside of a detailed plan area, such as townhouses and industries. Otherwise, the building inspector can make the decision.
If the plot is in a planned area (partial detailed plan, detailed plan), construction is governed by planning regulations and, in some cases, building regulations. If the plot is in an unplanned area, construction is governed by the municipality's building regulations. Outside a detailed plan area, a new plot should be at least 2,000 m².
The qualifications for the chief planner of construction projects are defined in land use and building legislation.
If the intended plot requires a new road connection to a state road, a permit from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment is required. See more information at www.ely-keskus.fi.
Apply smoothly for building permits and other approvals through the electronic service Lupapiste. You can easily apply for building permits and other approvals online. We encourage you to use the electronic service. Register at Lupapiste and start the application process by selecting the location of your construction project. After this, Lupapiste will tell you which attachments are needed for your project area and guide you through the entire process. Application for the responsible site manager is still done via a separate form.
Link to Lupapiste Building Permit Program
Read more about different permits below.
If for any reason you wish to submit your application on paper, please contact the municipal staff at the building supervision department.
Large or small changes – always check in advance what is required so you can safely carry out your project.
Construction can only begin after the permit decision has gained legal force.
Building Act 2025
The construction law that comes into effect on January 1, 2025, introduces easements in the building permit process. Under the new law, permits are no longer required for various minor projects. The building supervision provides guidance on the interpretation and assessment of permit requirements, regardless of whether the action requires a permit or not.
Anyone starting a construction project is responsible for carrying out the project in accordance with current regulations and directives, even when the project does not require a building permit or other approvals. The building supervision reminds that even non-permit-requiring actions need to ensure there is building right and that construction follows the area's plan on the construction site. Information about the planning situation can be found on the municipality's map service (Vöyrin karttapalvelu). If needed, the officers of the building and environmental office provide interpretative assistance.
A building permit must be applied for when a new construction project concerns:
- a residential house
- a building that is at least 30 square meters or 120 cubic meters in size
- a protective roof of at least 50 square meters
- a construction for the public that can be used by at least five people simultaneously
- a mast or chimney that is at least 30 meters high
- a luminous advertisement device of at least 2 square meters
- an energy well
- an area that is constructed for special activities and affects the use of surrounding areas.
A building permit shall also be sought for the extension of an existing building, for repair and alteration works comparable to new construction, when repairing or altering a building protected by plan or law. Construction projects may also require an exemption permit or placement permit.
Applications for demolition permits, demolition notifications, and permits for environmental measures are not affected by the new construction law.
The new law applies to permit applications submitted after January 1, 2025. Applications submitted before this date are governed by the previous Land Use and Building Act.
The sooner you consult with building inspection about your project's permit possibilities, the smoother the process will be. It's worthwhile to make initial contact with the building inspection authority even before a final decision about a plot is made.
A construction permit must be applied for the construction of a building if the floor area of the building is 20 m² or larger, or in connection with an agricultural holding if the building's area is 40 m² or larger.
A construction permit must also be applied for a sauna and other heated buildings if the building's height exceeds 6 m and for buildings with more than one floor.
The application for a construction permit is made by the holder of the building site, i.e., the owner, a person authorized by the owner, or a person who rents or possesses the building site through another agreement.
Submit the application via Lupapiste, Lupapiste building permit program
The Lupapiste program will inform you of the documents you should attach.
Exceptions to the provisions of the Land Use and Building Act (MBL), deviations from building regulations, or exceptions concerning bonds and other restrictions issued in a plan can be granted through an approved exception permit according to MBL 171§.
In areas not covered by detailed planning, building without established building rights requires an approved decision on the need for planning according to MBL 137§.
Approved exception permits and decisions on the need for planning do not permit construction without a subsequent building permit where the granted exception permit according to MBL 171§ or a decision on the need for planning according to MBL 137§ is considered.
Granted exception permits according to MBL 171§ and granted permits on decisions on the need for planning according to MBL 137§ are valid for 2 years from when the permit becomes legally binding. The subsequent building permit must be applied for within the validity period of the respective preceding permits.
An exception permit according to MBL 171§ can be applied for in the following cases:
- The building site is located in an area where there is a construction ban due to the preparation or alteration of a master plan or detailed plan (MBL 38 and 53§)
- The proposed construction measures deviate from the current regional plan, master plan, or detailed plan (MBL 33, 43, and 58§)
- The proposed construction measures deviate from the municipality's building regulations (MBL 14§)
- The building site is located in a shoreline area where there is no detailed plan or such a master plan that specifically stipulates that it can be used as a basis for granting a building permit (MBL 72§).
A need for planning according to MBL 137§ can be applied for in the following cases:
- The building site is in an area where, to meet usage needs, special measures like building roads, water pipes or sewers, or organizing free areas are necessary (planning-needed area) (formerly known as dense settlement) MBL 16§.
- The construction has significant environmental impacts.
- The building site is part of an area that, according to the municipality's building regulations, requires planning needs.
Submit your application via Lupapiste, Lupapiste building permit program
The Lupapiste program will inform you of which documents you should attach.
Both within and outside detailed planning areas, a notification must be made when constructing a small utility building of no more than 10 m². For an agricultural property, a notification is required for constructing a small utility building of no more than 20 m².
Submit the notification via Lupapiste, Lupapiste building permit program
The Lupapiste program will inform you about the documents you need to attach.
A permit is required for constructing a building with a floor area of 10-20 m². Regarding agricultural properties, a permit is necessary for buildings with an area of 20-40 m², as well as for geothermal and solar panels.
Apply for the permit via Lupapiste, Lupapiste Building Permit Program
The Lupapiste program will inform you of the documents that need to be attached.
A permit is required for the demolition of a building if the building is located in a detailed development plan area. In other cases, a notification to the building inspection is required.
Apply for a demolition permit or notify about demolition via Lupapiste, Lupapiste building permit program
The Lupapiste program will inform you of which documents you need to attach.
A permit is required for environmental measures if you carry out earth construction work, tree felling, or any other similar action that alters the landscape in a detailed planning area.
Apply for the permit through Lupapiste, Lupapiste building permit program
The Lupapiste program will inform you of the documents you need to attach.
Neighbors generally need to be informed that a building permit application has been submitted.
However, neighbors do not need to be informed if the project is of minor importance or if the location or content of the plan is irrelevant to the neighbor's interest. A neighbor refers to the owner or occupant of a property or another area that is adjacent or opposite. At the same time, a notice that the matter is pending should be appropriately made at the construction site.
Notification of neighbors is done by the owner using a designated form but can also be carried out by the building inspection department if desired.
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