Master File for Building Permit Project

The diploma thesis aimed to present the master file, which is an integral part of the project documentation for obtaining a building permit. The master file was presented theoretically, as defined by the Rules on Project Documentation, as well as through a practical example, which showed the reader how extensive and information-rich the master file is. They also examined the Spatial Planning Act (ZUreP), and from the very name of the act we can see that it regulates space, it concerns the regulation of spatial planning, and thus moved on to the Rules on Project Documentation, which contains everything about the documentation, required studies, statements, and consents that are needed for the project. The investor then has one year to commence construction and three years to complete the construction.

Problem

The diploma thesis aimed to present the master file, which is an integral part of the project documentation for obtaining a building permit. The master file was presented theoretically, as defined by the Rules on Project Documentation, as well as through a practical example, which showed the reader how extensive and information-rich the master file is. During the preparation of the diploma thesis, they found that the master file is a very complex matter and that whether a building permit will be issued or not depends on a quality, professionally prepared master file and thus also on the building permit project.

In the introduction to the diploma thesis, they presented the beginnings of controlled construction and the first laws that regulated this on Slovenian soil. Later, they presented the laws, regulations, and ordinances that today form the foundation of controlled construction. With them, we regulate or realise spatial arrangements.

They examined in detail the Construction Act (ZGO), which prescribes the information that must be recorded in the building permit and must be attached to the application for a building permit.

Solution and Method

They also examined the Spatial Planning Act (ZUreP), and from the very name of the act we can see that it regulates space, it concerns the regulation of spatial planning, and thus moved on to the Rules on Project Documentation, which contains everything about the documentation, required studies, statements, and consents that are needed for the project. For easier understanding of the master file, they extensively described the building permit acquisition project, as the master file is part of this project. To also gain an understanding and breadth of building permit acquisition and why all the described preliminary information is important for the building permit, they described in detail and compared the practice of two European countries, Italy and Germany.

They found that in Italy there is a similar method of obtaining a building permit as in Slovenia, but nevertheless less complex. A building permit is required for all types of construction, except for maintenance works. The professional worker who takes on the role of being responsible for issuing the building permit has sixty days to issue the building permit or to request supplementation.

The building permit comes into force thirty days after issuance.

Results

The investor then has one year to commence construction and three years to complete the construction. As they mentioned, the procedure for obtaining a building permit in Germany should not take longer than three months. It is required for all new constructions, but since Germany is a federal country, there can be large differences in building permits between individual federal states.

The building permit is valid for two years, and if the investor does not commence construction within this time, the permit expires. In Slovenia, when submitting an application, we need a great deal of information; such as the parcel number, cadastral municipality, data on the type of land, and two copies of the building permit project. They found that the application, together with payment of the municipal contribution and the building permit project, must be submitted to the administrative unit responsible for their project.

If the building permit project, which also contains the master file, which they described in great detail, is prepared as required by the Rules on Project Documentation and all consents have been obtained, there should be no problems with obtaining a building permit in the shortest possible time. This time is determined by law and is thirty days. However, we must emphasise that this only applies if the application is complete.

We can write that legislation in the construction field, despite changes, cannot and will never be good for all participants in construction. People often do not realise how important it is to adhere to the laws that regulate, arrange, and determine their living space. It would be unbearable if we could build without restraint and without certain restrictions. However, we also note that although Slovenia has all the above-mentioned laws, illegal construction still occurs far too often. And here it is also sensible to ask why, or whether these constructions are not penalised.

All participants should make an effort, both in construction and in managing bureaucracy. Administrative units should employ more professional staff who would be able to interpret the laws and regulations written for construction, so that different administrative practices would not occur. The same applies to all professionals who are in any way connected with the project.

Due to their superficiality and unprofessionalism, incomplete applications occur, and consequently supplementations and delays. In the final chapter, they identified or reached conclusions that enable a faster and higher-quality building permit acquisition procedure, and one consequence of this is, amongst other things, a well-prepared master file. She chose this topic for her diploma thesis because she found that many people enter construction unprepared.

They do not realise that a great deal of work is required; by this I mean obtaining consents and information that must be obtained before construction, so that unnecessary complications do not arise. I hope it has helped the reader and presented the master file broadly and simply enough that the information will be useful.