Dealing with Construction Permits in Denmark

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

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Data as of: January 2009
Estimated Warehouse Value: DKK 14,957,000
City: Copenhagen

	Procedure	Time to complete:	Cost to complete:
1	Request and obtain permit to start the construction works at the Municipality	40 days	DKK 186,875
2	Receive construction inspection from the supervising authority	1 day	no charge
3	Request and receive connection to electricity	5 days	DKK 1,000
*4	Request and receive connection to water and sewage	5 days	DKK 1,000
*5	Request and receive connection to telephone	3 days	DKK 1,000
6	Receive final inspection and obtain occupancy permit	21 days	no charge

* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.

Procedure 1.: Request and obtain permit to start the construction works at the Municipality
Time to complete:: 40 days
Cost to complete:: DKK 186,875
Name of Agency:: Municipality
Comment:: BuildCo does not need to prepare any background information. The builder needs to prepare relevant drawings of the building to be constructed, including sewage and fire protection. On this basis, the authorities will themselves check whether the construction complies with area plans and relevant legislation, particularly legislation on fire protection. The authorities may conduct on-site inspections before issuing a permit, but this is not normal. To process the warehouse permit application, the authorities will check all relevant documents. Thus, the entire process is covered by a single procedure that covers examining the area plan, checking plans and drawings, checking the lot plan, securing fire department permission, issuing a temporary building permit, issuing the structural engineer certificate, checking the rain water drainage, and checking building compliance with the Real Estate Registry’s regulations and requirements for registration and specific projects.

Procedure 2.: Receive construction inspection from the supervising authority
Time to complete:: 1 day
Cost to complete:: no charge
Name of Agency:: Supervising Authorities (Sewage, Fire, or Safety-at-Work Authorities)
Comment:: During the construction process, the municipality does not generally inspect construction. If conducted, such inspections will normally include inspections by the relevant fire, sewerage, or worker safety authorities. Such inspections are carried out without prior notice. They do generally not pose delays barring lack of compliance with relevant legislation.

Procedure 3.: Request and receive connection to electricity
Time to complete:: 5 days
Cost to complete:: DKK 1,000
Name of Agency:: NESA
Comment:: Utilities connections are established by agreement with local suppliers. The time and cost depend on the supplier.

Procedure 4.: Request and receive connection to water and sewage
Time to complete:: 5 days
Cost to complete:: DKK 1,000
Name of Agency:: Water & Sewage Authority
Comment:: Utilities connections are established by agreement with local suppliers. The time and cost depend on the supplier.

Procedure 5.: Request and receive connection to telephone
Time to complete:: 3 days
Cost to complete:: DKK 1,000
Name of Agency:: Tele-Denmark Communications
Comment:: Utilities connections are established by agreement with local suppliers. The time and cost depend on the supplier.

Procedure 6.: Receive final inspection and obtain occupancy permit
Time to complete:: 21 days
Cost to complete:: no charge
Name of Agency:: Municipality
Comment:: To grant the usage permit, the authorities primarily check fire protection and compliance with other construction requirements. This is done by one inspection normally carried out during one day and that can normally be initiated within a few weeks of submitting the application. Time may vary greatly, depending on compliance with relevant legislation. If the building complies with the regulations, in most municipalities the permit may be obtained in a few weeks.