Dealing with Construction Permits in the Czech Republic

The table below summarizes the procedures, time, and costs to build a warehouse in Czech Republic.

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Building a warehouse

Data as of: January 2009
Estimated Warehouse Value: CZK 13,006,000
City: Prague

Requirements Summary:


  Procedure Time to complete: Cost to complete:
1 Obtain project clearance from health authority in the municipality of Prague 30 days no charge
*2 Obtain project clearance from environmental protection agency in the municipality of Prague 30 days no charge
*3 Obtain project clearance from local provider of water and sewerage services 30 days no charge
*4 Obtain project clearance from local electricity provider "Prazska energeticka, a.s." 30 days no charge
*5 Obtain project clearance from local telecommunications provider Telefonica O2 30 days no charge
*6 Obtain project clearance from local telecommunications provider Radiokomunikace 30 days no charge
*7 Obtain project clearance from local telecommunications provider UPC Direct 30 days no charge
*8 Obtain project clearance from local trade license authority 30 days no charge
*9 Obtain project clearance from road management agency 20 days CZK 500
*10 Obtain project clearance from fire department 10 days no charge
*11 Obtain project clearance from local street lighting provider 20 days no charge
12 Obtain location (zoning) permit 37 days CZK 1,000
*13 Obtain building permit 37 days CZK 3,000
*14 Obtain technical conditions from fire department 37 days no charge
*15 Obtain technical conditions from health authority of the Municipality of Prague 30 days no charge
*16 Obtain technical conditions from road management agency of the Municipality of Prague 30 days no charge
*17 Obtain technical conditions from environmental protection agency of the Municipality of Prague 30 days no charge
*18 Obtain technical conditions from local provider of water and sewerage services of the Municipality of Prague 30 days no charge
*19 Obtain technical conditions from local street lighting provider 30 days no charge
*20 Obtain technical conditions from local electricity provider 20 days no charge
*21 Obtain technical conditions from local telecommunications provider Telefonica O2 10 days no charge
*22 Obtain technical conditions from local telecommunications provider Radiokomunikace 10 days no charge
*23 Obtain technical conditions from local telecommunications provider UPC Direct 10 days no charge
*24 Request and receive water and sewerage connection with "Prazske vodovody a kanalizace" 30 days CZK 5,500
*25 Request an electricity supply permit 1 day CZK 17,500
*26 Receive inspection of electricity installations 1 day no charge
27 Obtain electricity connection 28 days no charge
*28 Request a geodesic plan of the construction alignment 30 days CZK 15,000
*29 Request and receive inspection of lightning conductor 1 day CZK 2,000
*30 Receive inspection of chimneys 1 day CZK 5,000
*31 Request and receive telephone connection 14 days CZK 2,990
32 Notify building office of occupancy and request final inspection 1 day no charge
33 Receive final inspection from special commission of the municipal authority 1 day no charge
34 Receive fire department inspection 1 day no charge
35 Request and obtain evidence number of the building from Municipality 7 days no charge
36 Register the building with the real estate registry 30 days CZK 500
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.

Requirement Details

Procedure 1.
Obtain project clearance from health authority in the municipality of Prague
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague (Health Authority)
Comment:
The health authority clearance is based on the preliminary project design drawings.
Procedure 2.
Obtain project clearance from environmental protection agency in the municipality of Prague
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague (Environmental Protection Agency)
Comment:
The environmental protection agency clearance is based on preliminary project design drawings. There is a statutory time limit of 30 days. Time varies from office to office.
Procedure 3.
Obtain project clearance from local provider of water and sewerage services
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Prazske Vodovody a Kanalizace, a.s.
Comment:
The water and sewerage provider clearance is based on the preliminary project design drawings.
Procedure 4.
Obtain project clearance from local electricity provider "Prazska energeticka, a.s."
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Prazska Energetika, a.s.
Comment:
The local electricity provider clearance is based on the preliminary project design drawings.
Procedure 5.
Obtain project clearance from local telecommunications provider Telefonica O2
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Telefónica O2
Comment:
The local telecommunications provider clearance is based on the preliminary project design drawings. Clearance is required from all three telecom providers, according to Act No. 127/2005 Coll., on Electronic Communications (effective May 1, 2005).
Procedure 6.
Obtain project clearance from local telecommunications provider Radiokomunikace
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Ceské Radiokomunikace, a.s.
Comment:
This clearance is based on the preliminary project design drawings. Clearance is required from all three telecom providers, according to Act No. 127/2005 Coll., on Electronic Communications, effective May 1, 2005.
Procedure 7.
Obtain project clearance from local telecommunications provider UPC Direct
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
UPC Direct
Comment:
This clearance is based on the preliminary project design drawings. Clearance is required from all three telecom providers. This set by the Act No. 127/2005 Coll., on Electronic Communications, effective as of May 1, 2005.
Procedure 8.
Obtain project clearance from local trade license authority
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Trade License Authority in Prague
Comment:
This clearance is based on preliminary project design drawings made by an authorized designer. This procedure is needed only if the warehouse is used for conducting business, which is assumed.

This clearance is based on a mere notification duty towards the competent trade office (in advance of opening of a new establishment). Where a trade license is applied for the exercise of a business activity in a new warehouse, the notification of a new warehouse as a new establishment is included in the application for the new trade license. Usually, trade office inspectors come to visit (inspect) a new establishment after its opening to check its compliance with the applicable trade laws (Act No. 455/1991 Coll., the Trade Act), especially where it is supposed to provide services to the public. The applicant itself is liable to ensure compliance with the applicable construction rules (the Building Code).
Procedure 9.
Obtain project clearance from road management agency
Time to complete:
20 days
Cost to complete:
CZK 500
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague (Road Management Agency)
Comment:
This clearance is based on drawings from the preliminary project design. The statutory time limit for completing this procedure is 30 days. The fee for obtaining a decision to connect the site to a first-class road is CZK 1000. The fee for obtaining a decision to connect the site to a second- and third-class road or to a local road is CZK 500.
Procedure 10.
Obtain project clearance from fire department
Time to complete:
10 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Fire Department
Comment:
The fire department clearance is based on preliminary project design drawings. The statutory time limit for completing this procedure is 30 days.
Procedure 11.
Obtain project clearance from local street lighting provider
Time to complete:
20 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Street Lighting Provider in Prague
Comment:
The local street-lighting provider’s clearance is based on preliminary project design drawings. Street lighting forms are considered part of road connection (see Procedure 7).

Procedure 12.
Obtain location (zoning) permit
Time to complete:
37 days
Cost to complete:
CZK 1,000
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague
Comment:
A location permit grants only the right to build the warehouse on a plot; it does not authorize construction. To be issued by the municipal authority, the drawings for the preliminary project design need clearance from various agencies. Proof of ownership of the land is also requested by the building authority. The location permit is valid for 2 years, and it is a prerequisite for construction and building permits. The statutory period for completing the procedure is 30 days. However, in more complicated cases that require oral proceedings or local investigations, the statutory period is 60 days. In practice, it usually takes a week longer than the law prescribes.

To site a structure, the location permit (or location approval) must be issued for simple structures, installations, and maintenance. However, if a regulatory plan (a more specific document then the master plan) is issued for the area (location), this plan replaces the location permit within that area. The regulatory plan is procured and issued by the local authority. It determines the detailed conditions for the use of the grounds, for the location and spatial arrangement of structures, for the protection of area’s values and character, and for creating a favorable environment.
Procedure 13.
Obtain building permit
Time to complete:
37 days
Cost to complete:
CZK 3,000
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague
Comment:
The company must submit to the municipal authority the documents specified in the preceding procedures, project design drawings made by an authorized designer, and additional documents requested by the building authority. The building permit is valid for 2 years. Under the new Building Act (2006), the land planning and the building permit applications can now be submitted simultaneously. Under the new code, the investor may apply for both the land planning permit and the building permit applications, simultaneously, on condition that the regulatory plan for the area was approved. The regulatory plan is procured and issued by the local authority and determines the detailed conditions for the use of the grounds, for the structural location and spatial arrangement, for protection of the area’s values and character, and for creating a favorable environment.

Most local authorities in the Prague area have already approved a regulatory plan. Thus, in practice, the planning and building permit applications can now be submitted simultaneously.

As stated in the Czech Building Act (No. 183/2006, Coll. Section 78), pursuant to the rules of administrative procedure, the building office may merge the planning permission proceedings with the building permit proceedings, if the conditions within the area are clear, especially if there is an approved regulatory plan for the area.
Procedure 14.
Obtain technical conditions from fire department
Time to complete:
37 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Fire Department
Comment:
Technical conditions are based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer. The statutory period for completing the procedure is 30 days (Act. No. 500/2004 Coll., Code of Administrative Procedure, and Act No. 183/2006 Coll., Building Act). In practice, it usually takes a week longer than the law prescribes.
Procedure 15.
Obtain technical conditions from health authority of the Municipality of Prague
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague (Health Authority)
Comment:
This clearance is based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer.
Procedure 16.
Obtain technical conditions from road management agency of the Municipality of Prague
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague (Road Management Agency)
Comment:
Technical conditions are based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer.
Procedure 17.
Obtain technical conditions from environmental protection agency of the Municipality of Prague
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague (Environmental Protection Agency)
Comment:
Technical conditions are based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer.
Procedure 18.
Obtain technical conditions from local provider of water and sewerage services of the Municipality of Prague
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague (Water & Sewerage Authority)
Comment:
Technical conditions are based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer. There is no statutory period for completion of the procedure. However, the service providers usually complete the procedure in 30 days.
Procedure 19.
Obtain technical conditions from local street lighting provider
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Street Lighting Provider in Prague
Comment:
Technical conditions are based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer. There is no statutory period for completion of the procedure. However, the service providers usually complete the procedure in 30 days.
Procedure 20.
Obtain technical conditions from local electricity provider
Time to complete:
20 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Prazska Energetika, a.s.
Comment:
Technical conditions are based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer.
Procedure 21.
Obtain technical conditions from local telecommunications provider Telefonica O2
Time to complete:
10 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Telefónica O2
Comment:
Technical conditions are based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer.
Procedure 22.
Obtain technical conditions from local telecommunications provider Radiokomunikace
Time to complete:
10 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Ceské Radiokomunikace, a.s.
Comment:
Technical conditions are based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer.
Procedure 23.
Obtain technical conditions from local telecommunications provider UPC Direct
Time to complete:
10 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
UPC Direct
Comment:
Technical conditions are based on project design drawings made by an authorized designer.
Procedure 24.
Request and receive water and sewerage connection with "Prazske vodovody a kanalizace"
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
CZK 5,500
Name of Agency:
Prazske Vodovody a Kanalizace, a.s.
Comment:
The request is made to the local water and sewerage provider. The costs for establishing a (completely new) water connection is about CZK 2,500–3,000 per sq. m. for the excavation works (depending on the surface material), plus the cost of the actual placing of the new water conduct and coverage of the hole, (together, about CZK 4,500 per sq. m.). The costs of establishing a new sewerage connection are based on the same criteria, and they can vary substantially, based on the relevant circumstances (surface material, depth). The costs for establishing the new water connection depends on the time and the number of workers needed. The price is about CZK 2,200 plus VAT (19%), calculated on an hourly basis for two workers. It is assumed this would take 5–6 hours. For the excavation work, a company is responsible for being in contractual relation with the Prague Water Supply and Sewerage Company (Prazske vodovody a kanalizace). The fee for the water and sewerage connection varies, by service provider. However, the approximate cost is about CZK 1,200. The cost stated above probably includes the cost for constructing the water and sewerage connection. However, when constructing a warehouse, the constructor also builds a water and sewerage connection. It is thus necessary only to pay the connection fee of CZK 1,200.
Procedure 25.
Request an electricity supply permit
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
CZK 17,500
Name of Agency:
Prazska Energetika, a.s.
Comment:
The price amounts about CZK 500 per 1 ampere The installation should amount to CZK 12,500, including the permit issuance. The power company comes to the building site and lays wires.
Procedure 26.
Receive inspection of electricity installations
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Prazska Energetika, a.s.
Comment:
The electricity installation inspection is performed by an authorized inspection technician. This procedure is a prerequisite for issuance of an occupancy permit.
Procedure 27.
Obtain electricity connection
Time to complete:
28 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Prazska Energetika, a.s.
Comment:
The connection to the electricity system is not done at the same time as the inspection.
Procedure 28.
Request a geodesic plan of the construction alignment
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
CZK 15,000
Name of Agency:
Authorized Geodesist
Comment:
This plan is performed by an authorized engineer/geodesist. The plan is a prerequisite for issuance of an occupancy permit.
Procedure 29.
Request and receive inspection of lightning conductor
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
CZK 2,000
Name of Agency:
Authorized Inspection Technician
Comment:
This inspection is performed by an authorized inspection technician. This procedure is a prerequisite for the issuance of an occupancy permit. It takes about 30 days from the inspection request for the inspector to come to the construction site.
Procedure 30.
Receive inspection of chimneys
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
CZK 5,000
Name of Agency:
Private Company
Comment:
If the warehouse has heating, a chimney inspection must be performed before applying for an occupancy permit. A private company is authorized to do the inspection. From the time of inspection request, it takes about 7 days for the inspector to visit the construction site.
Procedure 31.
Request and receive telephone connection
Time to complete:
14 days
Cost to complete:
CZK 2,990
Name of Agency:
Telefónica O2 or Ceské Radiokomunikace, a.s.
Comment:
This procedure is a prerequisite for occupancy permit issuance. The phone connection setup fee is CZK 499 (with a 1-year binding contract) or CZK 2,990 (without the fixed term condition).
Procedure 32.
Notify building office of occupancy and request final inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Building Office (Municipality of Prague)
Comment:
Under the new Building Act (No. 183/2006 Coll.), effective January 1, 2007, the traditional occupancy permit issued in the past by the building office no longer exists. Now, the vast majority of buildings can be used on the basis of a simple occupancy notification, indicating that the investor intends to start occupying it. The notification must be given, at the latest, 30 days before the day the building is planned to be used. If the building office does not prohibit its use within 30 days of the investor's notification (meaning that it does not conclude that the construction puts the public at risk), the investor may start using the building. Buildings used by the public would require an occupancy approval. In the case considered here, because the warehouse will be used for general storage activities, an occupancy approval is not needed.
Procedure 33.
Receive final inspection from special commission of the municipal authority
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague
Comment:
Procedure 34.
Receive fire department inspection
Time to complete:
1 day
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Fire Department
Comment:
Procedure 35.
Request and obtain evidence number of the building from Municipality
Time to complete:
7 days
Cost to complete:
no charge
Name of Agency:
Municipality of Prague
Comment:
Before registration with the Real Estate Registry the owner of the building shall apply for the evidence No. of the building with the Municipality Office. The following documents need to be enclosed to the application: occupancy or building permit, geometrical plan (i.e. document on the building´s location according to which the building is to be newly registered in the Real Estate Registry), and the evidence on the ownership of the building. According to the law the document must be issued in 30 days, however in practice it takes 2-3 weeks overage.
Procedure 36.
Register the building with the real estate registry
Time to complete:
30 days
Cost to complete:
CZK 500
Name of Agency:
Real Estate Registry
Comment:
The company should apply to register the building and obtain a building identification number with the Cadastral Land Register. This procedure is necessary, among other conditions, if the building needs insurance, as for a new warehouse.

Under Act. No. 500/2004 Coll. Code of Administrative Procedures, statutory time limits of 30 days have been introduced (60 days for complicated cases).In practice, it usually takes a week longer than the law prescribes.