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A road that has some houses on it.

Actions that do not require a building permit or notification

What you may do without a building permit or notification at a one- or two-dwelling house, and the conditions that apply.

Updated:

Please note that all forms, digital applications (e-services) and some linked websites are currently in Swedish. Contact Citizen Service if you need help in English.

Decks and patios near the house

Overview

Some measures are permit-exempt for one- and two-dwelling houses. The rules below show when you can build without a permit or notification.

Deck up to 1.0 metres

A deck that is no higher than 1.0 metres above existing ground does not require a building permit.

Higher decks and additions

Decks that are 1.6 metres or higher above ground usually require a building permit as an extension. A glazed-in deck or a deck with enclosed space underneath, for example a store room or a basement, is treated as a permit-required extension.

Permit-exempt deck for small houses

  • Applies within 3.6 metres of the dwelling.
  • The deck may be up to 1.8 metres high. Guardrails and balustrades are not counted in the deck height.
  • Place it at least 4.5 metres from the property boundary, unless affected neighbours consent to a closer placement.
  • A permit is always required if the deck is closer than 4.5 metres to a street, road or park.
  • A permit is required if the building or the area is of special historical, cultural, environmental or artistic value.
  • A permit-exempt deck under this rule may deviate from the detailed development plan, for example distance to the boundary.

How to measure deck height

Measure from the ground at the outer edges of the deck to the top surface of the decking. Guardrails and balustrades on top of the deck are not included. If you build a privacy screen on the deck, include the privacy screen in the total height measured from the ground.

Sheltered patio with wall or privacy screen

A wall or privacy screen may be up to 1.8 metres high and extend no more than 3.6 metres from the house. Place it at least 4.5 metres from the boundary. A closer placement requires consent from the affected neighbour. Towards a street or other public land the distance to the boundary must be at least 4.5 metres.

Canopies

You may build canopies over a patio, deck, balcony or entrance. Together, the canopies may cover up to 15.0 square metres and must be at least 4.5 metres from the boundary. A closer placement requires consent from the affected neighbour. Towards a street or other public land the distance must be at least 4.5 metres.

Pools and hot tubs

  • A fully in-ground pool does not require a permit.
  • A small hot tub does not require a permit. If the hot tub has a diameter greater than 2.5 metres or wall height over 1.0 metre, contact the Environment and Building Unit for an assessment.
  • A safety cover or pool enclosure is permit-exempt up to 1.2 metres in height. Other works related to the pool may require a permit.

Talk to your neighbour

Inform your neighbour in advance about planned building works, even when the measure is permit-exempt.

Enclosures and visibility to the street

Sight requirements at driveways and corners

  • At a driveway, maintain clear sight at least 2.5 metres from the street or footway.
  • At street corners and driveways, height must not exceed 0.8 metres measured from street level.
  • On a corner lot, height must not exceed 0.8 metres within 10 metres in each direction from the intersection.

Privacy screen

A privacy screen is a solid structure and usually requires a building permit. Glass and plastic constructions are considered solid.

Fence

A fence with some openness is permit-exempt up to 1.2 metres in height if openness is at least thirty-three percent. Wrought-iron fences and chain-link fences do not require a permit.

Trellis and pergola

No permit is required if the construction has at least sixty percent openness, according to municipal practice.

Accessory buildings, façade and installations

Small accessory building and storage shed

Freestanding accessory buildings are allowed without a permit.

  • To be freestanding there is usually a minimum distance of 1.5 metres to the nearest building.
  • The total building area may be up to 15.0 square metres.
  • Ridge height may be up to 3.0 metres measured from the average ground level.
  • Place at least 4.5 metres from the boundary. A closer placement requires the affected neighbour’s written consent.
  • Towards a street and other public land the distance must be at least 4.5 metres.

Façade changes

You may repaint and change façade or roofing materials without a permit if the building’s character is not significantly altered. If you are unsure, contact the Environment and Building Unit so the Building Permit Section can assess whether the change is significant.

Solar panels and solar thermal collectors

You may install without a permit if all conditions are met:

  • Mounted on top of existing façade cladding or roofing material.
  • Follow the shape of the building; do not change roof pitch and do not angle panels out from the façade.
  • The measure complies with the detailed development plan.
  • Not on buildings or in areas that are of special historical, cultural or environmental value.
  • Not within or adjacent to areas of national defence interest.

Power cables

No permit is required to lay power cables underground within your own property.

Land and walls

Ground works without a permit

Excavation and fill may be carried out without a ground works permit if:

  • The change does not exceed 0.5 metres measured from existing ground level.
  • The change does not noticeably affect drainage on the property.

Recommendations for safe ground works

  • Do not change ground levels closer than 2 metres to the boundary.
  • Keep slope gradients gentler than 1:3 to reduce the risk of collapse.
  • Adapt works to local conditions to preserve the character of the property and the landscape.

Walls and retaining walls

No permit is required for walls and retaining walls up to 0.5 metres in height, measured from the higher side of the wall.

Do you want to access a specific document? Contact Citizen Service, and we will help you retrieve and read the full document.

Contact

Environment and Building Department

E-mail: mob@boden.se

Phone: +46 921 620 00