Building permit drawings for extensions, conversions and new builds

Behind Arkigroup are more than 30 years of experience in both design and building control. We know what the municipality checks in a building permit application, so we draw with the aim of getting the application approved first time.

Which drawings are needed for a building permit?

A building permit application is essentially made up of four drawings, often called A-drawings or architectural drawings. The municipality may ask for further documents depending on the project.

• Site plan Shows the property with its boundaries, existing buildings and where the new building will go, usually at a scale of 1:400 or 1:500. For new builds within a detailed development plan, a new-build map from the municipality is often needed as a basis.
• Floor plan Shows each floor with rooms, walls, doors and windows, at a scale of 1:100.
• Elevation drawings Show the building from the outside from every direction, at a scale of 1:100.
• Section drawing Shows the building in cross-section with ceiling heights, floor levels and roof pitch, at a scale of 1:100.

If you want to see the house before you decide, the drawings can be supplemented with 3D visualisation.

Examples of building permit drawings

This is what a complete set looks like: site plan, floor plan, elevations, section and roof plan.

Site planFloor planElevations facing south-east and north-eastElevations facing north-west and south-westSection drawingRoof planPerspective

Prices for building permit drawings

Structural drawings, construction documents and design and build contracts are priced according to the project. We make an assessment based on the information you provide and add a site visit if needed, so that the quote is accurate and free of surprises.

Does your project need a building permit?

Most building projects need a building permit, but for detached houses and two-family houses there are several exceptions where a notification is enough, or where neither a building permit nor a notification is required. The rules below are the general ones. We always check what applies to your particular property.

Extension

An extension, meaning the volume of the building increases, normally requires a building permit. For a detached or two-family house, however, you can build what is known as an Attefall extension of no more than 15 square metres gross floor area without a building permit. You then need to submit a notification and receive a start notice from the municipality before you start building.

New build

Building a new house, or moving an existing building to a new location, requires a building permit. The exceptions apply to smaller outbuildings such as Attefall houses and friggebods.

Attefall house

An Attefall house can be built without a building permit if it meets the rules:

• no more than 30 square metres building footprint and no more than 4 metres to the ridge
• there is already a detached or two-family house on the plot, and the Attefall house is built close to it
• it is used as an outbuilding, for example a guest cottage, storage shed or office, or as a secondary dwelling
• at least 4.5 metres from the plot boundary, or closer if the neighbour agrees

You need to submit a notification and receive a start notice before you start building. An Attefall house may be built even if it conflicts with the detailed development plan. A building permit or other permits are required, however, if the house is larger or taller than the rules allow, if the surrounding buildings are of particular cultural and historical value, and within a shoreline protection area you need a shoreline protection exemption.

Dormers

On a detached or two-family house you can build two dormers without a building permit, known as Attefall dormers. You need to submit a notification and receive a start notice before building begins.

Friggebod

A friggebod (small outbuilding) of no more than 15 square metres building footprint and no more than 3 metres to the ridge needs neither a building permit nor a notification, provided it is placed at least 4.5 metres from the plot boundary or the neighbour agrees to a closer position.

Decking and canopies

Decking at ground level does not normally need a building permit, whereas a raised deck may. A canopy of no more than 15 square metres over a patio or entrance to a detached or two-family house does not normally need a building permit, provided it is placed at least 4.5 metres from the plot boundary or the neighbour agrees.

Screen walls, fences and walls

An ordinary fence usually does not need a building permit. A screen wall next to a detached or two-family house does not need a building permit if it is no more than 1.8 metres high, stands within 3.6 metres of the house and at least 4.5 metres from the plot boundary. Taller fences and walls within an area covered by a detailed development plan require a building permit.

Garages and carports

A garage or carport normally requires a building permit. A smaller garage can sometimes be built as an Attefall house or friggebod if it stays within those rules.

How it works

1. Initial meeting

   By video call, phone or on site, we go through your idea and the material you have, whether it is a sketch, photos or existing drawings.

2. Analysis and price proposal

   We review the conditions and the detailed development plan and prepare a price proposal based on the scope of the project.

3. Source material

   Once you have approved the price proposal, we obtain the material needed, such as a new-build site map and existing drawings from the municipality.

4. First proposal

   We prepare a first proposal in 2D and 3D for you to review at your own pace, and we adjust it together until the drawings match what you want.

5. Finished building permit drawings

   You receive complete drawings, and we help you submit the application to the municipality.

6. Additional information

   If the municipality requests additional information, we help you respond so that the case can move forward.

What happens after the building permit is granted?

1. Technical consultation

   When the project requires a certified quality controller, the municipality holds a technical consultation where you go through the technical solutions for the building and the inspection plan.

2. Start notice

   The municipality issues a start notice once it has the documents it needs. You may not start building until you have a start notice, even if the building permit has been granted. For new houses, the municipality normally requires an energy calculation before issuing the start notice.

3. Start of construction and inspections

   Construction follows the approved drawings and the inspection plan. The independent certified quality controller, whom you appoint as the client, checks that the inspections are carried out.

4. Final consultation

   When construction is complete, the municipality may call a final consultation where you go through whether everything has been carried out in line with the building permit and the inspection plan.

5. Final clearance

   Only once the municipality has issued final clearance may you start using the building.

Bear in mind that the building permit expires if work has not started within two years and been completed within five years of the decision becoming legally binding.

More than building permit drawings

Once the building permit is in place, Arkigroup can take the project further, so you do not have to start over with a new consultant:

• Construction documents for the builder to work from
• Structural drawings, electrical drawings and HVAC drawings
• Interior architecture
• Design and build contract, where Arkigroup takes the project from drawing to finished building

Arkigroup is also a certified quality controller under the PBL, in projects where we do not design or build ourselves.

Frequently asked questions about building permit drawings

Contact us

Tell us what you want to build and we will get back to you with a free quote within 24 hours.

Read also about our certified accessibility expert, building conservation specialist and architect-designed houses.