Building Permit & Building Notice

When do you need a building notification or a building application? How does a building procedure work and what has to be done in case of plan changes?

This page was translated automatically. The City of Innsbruck assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the translation.

Building permit

Do I need a permit before building?

Before you build, you must clarify whether you need a building permit. There are drei levels here:

A detailed list of when a building project is exempt from approval, subject to notification or subject to approval can be found in the Tyrolean Building Code (§ 28 and § 52b TBO).

If you build without a corresponding permit, this is an administrative offense. If a black building is determined, because construction measures were not approved or not executed according to the permit, criminal proceedings will be initiated. If necessary, the Service Unit Structural engineering, fire protection and building physics.. immediately stops the construction activities.

Which projects do not require approval?

Under certain conditions, the following measures do not require notification or approval according to § 28 para. 3 and § 52b para. 3 TBO:

  • Measures inside buildings if they do not significantly affect general structural requirements.
  • the replacement of windows and balcony doors if the exterior design of the building is not significantly affected by these measures.
  • Maintenance and repair work on buildings, if this does not significantly affect general structural requirements
  • the erection and alteration of enclosures up to a total height of 1.50 meters and of retaining walls up to a height of 1 meter, except opposite traffic areas
  • the erection, installation and modification of free-standing advertising facilities outside built-up areas
  • the construction and modification of structures for free-standing charging stations for electric vehicles
  • the installation or modification of solar energy systems up to an area of 100 m², provided they are integrated into the roof surface or the distance between the solar energy system and the roof cladding, measured at right angles from the roof cladding, does not exceed 30 cm at any point. In the case of installation on flat roofs, the inclination of the solar energy system may not exceed 15°; in the case of flat roofs without a parapet, the respective distance to the edge of the roof must at least correspond to the installation height of the solar energy system
  • the erection or modification of free-standing solar energy systems up to an area of 100 m², provided that the distance between the solar energy system and the ground below does not exceed 30 cm at any point, whereby a maximum inclination of 15° is permitted on level ground in any case
  • the erection and modification of tool sheds, woodsheds and the like up to a floor area of 15 m² and a height of 2.80 meters, provided that they are accessible from the outside on at least drei sides from the building site in question or a traffic area.
    Please note: These structures are subject to charges under the Tyrolean Traffic Development and Equalization Charges Act (TVAG) (development and sidewalk charge). For further information, please Service Unit Municipal taxes - assessment - Property tax
  • Hail protection nets, pasture tents up to 40 m², non-accessible foil tunnels and apiaries

Are you not sure whether your project is exempt from approval? Then please contact the Service Unit Structural engineering, fire protection and building physics...

Please note that, for example, there are design requirements for renovation measures (e.g. replacement of windows, painting of facades, roofing) in a protection zone according to SOG. For this you need a permit according to SOG. You can also apply for a subsidy according to SOG for the resulting additional expenditure.

Which building projects require a building notification?

The building notification is a simplified building procedure with which you must report construction measures to the authorities.

According to § 28 Para. 2 and §52b Para. 2 TBO, you need a building notification for

  • Changes to buildings and other Structural installations, unless they require a permit (§ 28, Para. 2)
  • Subordinate building components and balcony glazing (§ 28, Para. 2, a)
  • Retaining walls and enclosures up to a total height of two meters (§ 28, Para. 2, b)
  • Terraces, pergolas and mobile open swimming pools with more than 10,000 liters (§ 28, Para. 2, c)
  • customary local huts, forestry equipment huts, beehives, each in wooden construction, pasture tents >40m² pasture shelters and crop protection facilities ≤250m² (§ 28, para. 2, d)
  • Sports grounds, riding arenas, children's playgrounds (§ 28, Para. 2, e)
  • Major renovation of buildings, unless subject to authorization (§ 28, para. 2, f)
  • Canopies and roofs for terraces ≤15m², containers ≤30m³, parking spaces ≤ 200m² (§ 28, Para. 2, g)
  • Solar energy systems with an area of more than 100m² integrated into the roof or wall surface or with a pitch ≤30cm or inclination ≤15° (flat roof) (§ 52b, para. 2, a and b)
  • Free-standing solar energy systems with an area of more than 100m² (§ 52b, para. 2, c)
  • Fills and excavations of more than 1.5 m (§ 58)
  • Erection and significant modification of antenna masts (§ 60)
  • Advertising facilities on buildings (§ 28, Para. 2, a)

Photovoltaic systems

The construction of a photovoltaic system larger than 100m² requires a building notification. To assist you with the official notification procedure, you will find an information sheet with details of the necessary documents and content here.

A photovoltaic system of less than 100m² does not require a building authority permit under certain conditions. However, after the construction of a PV system, a notification of completion must be submitted to the building authorities. You can find the relevant form here.

Further information on solar energy systems can be found in the solar guide.

How do I submit the building notification?

You must submit the building notification to Service Unit Structural engineering, fire protection and building physics in writing, including at least the following documents:

  • Building notification with building description
  • Site plan (2 copies)
  • Submission plans (2 copies)
  • a brief technical description
  • Planning documents in accordance with the Construction Documents Ordinance

You must submit the building notification to City Adminstrative Group MA III - Planning, Building Law and Technical Infrastructure Management - Civil Engineering Intake Point.

You can either submit the building notification digitally using the online form or submit it in paper form to the entry point. Please use one of these forms:

Can I build immediately after submitting the construction notification?

No. If your building notification is submitted in full , the authority, in this case the Service Unit Structural engineering, fire protection and building physics.., decides on the permissibility within two months. There are the following possibilities:

  • The construction notification is noted â You will receive a writtendrÃconsent from the Lade Text ... for the execution of your construction project Service Unit Structural engineering, fire protection and building physics
  • If it turns out that your project requires a building permit, you will be notified in writing.
  • If the execution of your project is to be prohibited for reasons of building and/or regional planning law, you will also be informed of this in a written decision.
  • You have the possibility to withdraw your application at any time during the ongoing procedure.

The construction project subject to notification must be completed within two years. Do not forget the construction completion notification!

Who do I contact for questions about the construction notification

For questions about the construction notification contact the Service Unit Structural engineering, fire protection and building physics

When do I have to submit a building application for a building permit?

In principle, you must submit a building application for the following building projects (in particular on the basis of § 28 para. 1 TBO):

  • New construction, additions and alterations to buildings
  • Other alterations to buildings and the erection and alteration of other structural facilities (e.g. carports, terrace roofs, massive swimming pools, etc.), if general structural engineering requirements (mechanical strength, stability, fire protection, etc.) are significantly affected as a result.
  • Change of the purpose of use
  • Use of premises to accommodate guests in return for payment (short-term rentals via online platforms, such as AirBnB, Booking.com, etc.)
  • Temporary structural facilities (e.g., school containers)
  • Freestanding advertising facilities

If you have any questions regarding the handling of the procedure, please contact the Service Unit Building, water and plant law

How do I submit a building application?

  1. You must draw up a submission plan for your building project or your planned construction measures. In doing so, you must comply with the applicable laws, regulations, directives and guidelines for the construction sector.
  2. The construction documents must be drawn up by an authorized person or body and must be signed by them.
  3. Once the documents have been prepared, contact City Adminstrative Group MA III - Planning, Building Law and Technical Infrastructure Management - Coordination office for building applications and guest gardens The documents will be checked there.
    1. If the documents are not complete, this will be pointed out to you and you can make additions.
    2. Once the documents are complete and signed, hand them in to the City Adminstrative Group MA III - Planning, Building Law and Technical Infrastructure Management - Coordination office for building applications and guest gardens or use the online building application form.

If you need advice on the individual regulations, contact the advice centers.

If you have questions about the building application procedure itself, Service Unit Building, water and plant law.. as the competent authority is your contact.

What documents are required for the building application?

You must apply in writing to the building authority, in this case Service Unit Building, water and plant law, for your building permit.

You can either submit the building application digitally using the online form or submit it in paper form to the building authority. Use one of these forms and bring the following documents with you:

  • Online building application form or building application form (Excel), building application (pdf)
  • technical building description (Excel), building description (pdf) (dreifach)
  • Site plan (dreifach)
  • Submission plans (dreifach)
  • Proof of ownership (in the form of a current extract from the land register) or the official consent of the landowner fromdrÃ
  • Proof of a legally secured connection to a public traffic area
  • Proof of water supply and wastewater disposal as well as rainwater disposal
  • possibly an energy certificate (depending on the building project)
  • for new buildings and major renovations: Presentation of the technical, ecological and economic feasibility of the use of highly efficient alternative systems
  • Further documents may be requested in individual cases, e.g. in the case of complex excavation support, new types of construction, deviations in fire protection or similar.

The construction documents must be drawn up by an authorized person or body and must be signed by them.

For general questions about the required documents, contact the Service Unit Structural engineering, fire protection and building physics

For questions regarding the content of the individual planning bases, laws, specifications & ordinances, contact the relevant advisory office.

For questions regarding the handling of the procedure, contact the Service Unit Building, water and plant law

How does the building procedure work?

As the authority, the Building Law Unit is responsible for handling the construction procedure. The department coordinates the building procedure with internal and external agencies.

  1. After you have submitted your building application to the Magistrate, it is registered.
  2. The building application is assigned to a clerk of the Building Law Department as the head of the procedure.
  3. An initial preliminary examination is carried out.
  4. Thereafter, expert opinions and/or statements are obtained from, among others, the following official experts:
    1. City Department Building and fire police and Service Unit Structural engineering, fire protection and building physics..
    2. City Department Urban planning, mobility and integration load text Service Unit Projects, design and townscape protection..
    3. Depending on the construction measure, you may also do so:
      1. City Department Civil Engineering
      2. Service Unit Crop and plant engineering
    4. In individual cases, further expert opinions, e.g. from the City Department Professional fire department.., the Provincial Geology, the Torrent and Avalanche Control or the Federal Office for the Protection of Monuments.
  5. If information and documents are missing for the evaluation of your building measures or if your building application does not meet all legal requirements, the Loading Service Unit Building, water and plant law.. will inform you. will inform you about it. You can improve or change the building application.
  6. In the event that the requested documents are not submitted or deficiencies are not improved, you will be issued a negative notice. The construction may not be carried out in the form submitted.
  7. If the inspection does not reveal any deficiencies and all experts assess the building application positively, the expert assessment is completed.
  8. The authority may hold a construction hearing if it is necessary due to the type and size of the construction project, the number of experts or the parties (e.g. new construction).
  9. The building decision (= building permit) is delivered in writing to you, the neighbors involved and other parties to the proceedings.
  10. From the date of delivery of the decision, these parties have a four-week appeal period. The appeal must be filed with the Service Unit Building, water and plant law..enter.

You have the possibility to withdraw your application at any time during the ongoing procedure.

If you have any questions regarding the handling of the construction process, please contact the Service Unit Building, water and plant law

How long is my building permit valid?

You must start your construction within two years after the permit is issued. Do not forget the notice of commencement.

If the deadline is missed, the building permit expires.

What do I have to consider in case of plan changes during construction?

When making changes to the plan, you should first contact the Service Unit Structural engineering, fire protection and building physics.. and Service Unit Building consultancy and expert opinions.. to clarify whether the changes are possible and what consequences the changes will have (change in the number of parking spaces, energy certificate, etc.)

For a change of plan you have to submit a new building application.