Notifying Minor Construction in 2026: What Qualifies, Form and Process

What is minor construction

Minor construction refers to a smaller project that does not require a full building permit by law. It is sufficient to notify the building authority, which will either take no action (allowing you to proceed with construction) or determine within 30 days that a building permit is required.

A minor structure is defined in Section 139b(7) of the Building Act as a one-storey structure with a built-up area of up to 25 m² and a maximum height of 5 m that serves an ancillary function to the main building on the plot.

The notification process also applies to fences, utility connections, wells up to 100 m deep, and certain other structures listed in §139b and §55.

What qualifies as minor construction

Notification process

The notification process usually takes 30–45 days, including the building authority's waiting period.

1. 01

   Download the form from the municipality's website

   Each town has a form titled "Ohlásenie drobnej stavby / stavebných úprav a udržiavacích prác" (Notification of Minor Construction / Building Modifications and Maintenance Work). You can usually find it in the Building Authority or Forms section.

2. 02

   Fill in the basic information

   Builder's identification; description of the structure (type, dimensions, materials, use); location (by title deed number, cadastral parcel, and cadastral area); and the planned start and completion dates.

3. 03

   Prepare the attachments

   Simple site documentation (floor plan, site plan showing the location on the lot to scale). You can prepare this yourself for simple structures; for more complex ones, we recommend hiring a designer. Title deed for the lot. Statements from the relevant authorities for utility connections (water, gas, and electricity suppliers).

4. 04

   Consent of co-owners

   If the parcel is under co-ownership or marital community property, you need the consent of all co-owners (or the other spouse in the case of marital community property) for the notification.

5. 05

   Filing with the building authority

   In person at the office, by registered mail, or electronically via slovensko.sk. There is a 50% discount on the fee for electronic filing.

6. 06

   Payment of the fee

   Administrative fee of EUR 30 for natural persons, EUR 50 for legal entities, paid in cash at the filing office or by bank transfer. The electronic fee is EUR 15 / EUR 25.

7. 07

   Wait 30 days

   The building authority has 30 days from the filing date to respond. It can either: (a) take no action – after 30 days, you can start construction, (b) issue a written decision that a building permit is required, or (c) reject the notification.

8. 08

   Construction

   After the 30-day period has passed (or after receiving explicit consent from the authority), you can begin construction. The structure must be completed within 2 years of the notification.

Fees and deadlines

Source: Act No. 145/1995 Z. z. on administrative fees, item 60(e).

Difference from a building permit

Key differences between a notification and a building permit:

• Form of decision. With a notification, the authority's silence implies consent, or it can actively require a permit. With a building permit, it always issues a written decision.
• Deadline. Notification: 30 days. Building permit: 30–60 days for the administrative procedure, plus additional weeks for statements from other bodies.
• Parties to the procedure. With a notification, there is no hearing, and neighbors have no right of appeal. With a building permit, they are parties to the procedure and can appeal within 15 days.
• Fee. EUR 30 for a natural person vs. EUR 50 for a natural person for a building permit (for a house).
• Project documentation. For a notification, a site plan and description are sufficient. A building permit requires a comprehensive project from a licensed designer.
• Final building approval. Minor structures are not subject to final building approval. Once the work is finished, you only need to notify the building authority. Final building approval is mandatory for projects that require a building permit.

Common mistakes

• Starting construction before the 30-day period expires. Even for a minor structure, the building authority has 30 days from the date of notification to decide that a permit is required. Starting earlier constitutes unauthorized construction.
• Exceeding the 25 m² built-up area. Exceeding the limit by even 0.5 m² means a building permit is required. The building authority will measure the dimensions during an inspection.
• Building in a protected zone without consent. If you are building near water, gas, or electricity lines within a protected zone, you need the consent of the utility network operator.
• Building without a co-owner's consent. In cases of co-ownership or marital community property, the consent of the other party is mandatory.
• Building intended for permanent residence. A 'minor structure' cannot be a habitable space. A mobile home that you convert for residential use is considered a building and requires a building permit.

Frequently asked questions