Frequently Asked Questions
Do solar panels need a permit in Ikaalinen?
A panel field or solar collectors placed horizontally on the roof of a building are exempt from the requirement for a permit if their total area is less than 400 m² and their power is less than 100 kW.
Solar power systems must be adapted to the building in such a way that it does not impair the cityscape. In protected areas and valuable cultural environments, the system must not be placed on the side facing the street. In protected areas and coastal areas, the panel surface must not cause disturbing reflections in the environment.
How can I find out about the building rights for my property?
The right to build is determined based on valid plans. Map service or if the property does not have a valid plan, the building right is determined in accordance with the building regulations Building ordinance
The construction of a new residential building or holiday home in a coastal area always requires a deviation permit from the Environmental Protection Board if there is no valid plan in the area. Coastal construction and deviation permits – Ikaalinen
The floor area of buildings built on the property is deducted from the building right. The floor area is measured according to the external surface of the building wall.
In unclear cases, you can send a building rights inquiry directly to the building inspector by email. Please remember to provide the property ID when making your inquiry to speed up the processing of the matter, thank you.
I am changing the heating system in my house from oil to geothermal. Do I need a permit for this and do I need to remove the old oil tank?
The energy well requires a construction permit issued by the building inspectorate. Apply for a permit electronically via Lupapiste
The construction of a geothermal heating system in a groundwater area is prohibited.
A disused oil tank must be removed from the ground. Notification of the tank's removal must be made to the Pirkanmaa Rescue Department and the city's environmental protection secretary.
The wastewater system on my property needs to be replaced, what should I do?
The connection of a building to the network of a water supply company or a wastewater cooperative is exempt from the requirement for a permit. The construction of a property-specific wastewater system is also exempt from the requirement for a permit, when it concerns the construction of a greywater system that is not located in a groundwater or coastal area or when water needs to be carried to the building.
You can find more information about wastewater systems on the environmental protection website and the Ikaalinen environmental protection regulations. Environmental protection – Ikaalinen Wastewater issues – Ikaalinen
I have lost the building permit and plans for the building I own, can the city find them?
The Building Control archive contains plans submitted with building permits, starting from the 1950s. There is a fee for retrieving and scanning plans into electronic format. The price of the service is according to the valid tariff. You can order plans from the Building Control office manager. We aim to process orders within 14 days. We do not process orders during the summer holidays.
I am planning a new building site on a small property. How far should I be from the neighbor's boundary and how close to the shore can I build?
The distance to the neighbor's boundary must be at least 4 meters. With the neighbor's written consent, you can build closer to the boundary. Distances to other buildings must be taken into account for fire safety reasons, e.g. there must be a distance of 8 meters to buildings on a neighboring property or fire compartments must be made in the new building. The distance to the building is determined by the building and its location.
The distance of a building requiring a building permit from the shoreline at mean high water level must be at least 25 meters. The distances specified in the plan must be observed.
What size building can be built without a permit?
According to the new Construction Act, which came into force on 1 January 2025, a non-residential and leisure residential building of less than 30 m² and less than 120 m³, and a canopy of less than 50 m², can be built without a building permit. The prerequisite is that the property has a building right remaining, and that the construction is in accordance with the plan. Additional construction in the coastal area is possible on an existing building site. If there is no plan in the coastal area, and the property is not already built, a positive deviation permit is first required.
The building must be located at least 4 meters from the neighbor's boundary and the distances specified in fire regulations must be observed.
I want to cut down trees on my property and at the same time I would like to cut down trees on the city side as well. Who can I ask for permission from?
Contact the city's city gardener and agree on how to proceed with the matter. Trees may not be felled in the local plan area without a permit from the building control authority. Trees may not be felled on city property without a permit in any area. If the felling of trees will significantly affect the landscape, a landscape work permit must be applied for from the building control authority for the felling of trees. A landscape work permit can only be granted to the owner of the property.
Does installing an air source heat pump require a permit from the authorities?
The placement of air-source heat pumps on facades other than apartment buildings is exempt from the requirement for permits.
Air source heat pumps should be placed in such a way that they do not impair the cityscape.
In protected sites and valuable cultural environments, air-source heat pumps may not be placed on the facade facing the street.
The outdoor unit must be installed in a way that does not cause noise or disturbance to neighbors. In housing associations, permission from the housing association is required.
The branches of a tree growing on my neighbor's side are reaching into my side and dropping leaves on my property. What will the building control authority do about it?
The building inspectorate has no jurisdiction over the matter. The matter falls within the scope of the Act on Neighbourhood Relations and is therefore a civil dispute that will ultimately be resolved in the district court. We recommend that you first agree on the matter with your neighbour.
Is a chief designer needed?
According to the Construction Act, a chief designer is required. Anyone undertaking a construction project must notify the building control authority in writing of the project's chief designer and construction designer when applying for a building permit. In small projects, the building control authority may also approve the applicant as a chief designer based on sufficient expertise. You can get more detailed instructions on a case-by-case basis from the building control authority..
Building Act, sections 82-85
During the transition period from 1 January 2025 to 1 January 2027, designers approved by all municipal building control authorities between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2024 may be approved as designers to perform similar tasks. Without prior approval and after the transition period, the designer must present a certificate of competence issued by an authorized institution.
I suspect that my apartment has moisture or mold damage. Will the building inspectorate confirm this?
This service is not part of the statutory duties of the building inspection authority. The maintenance of buildings is the responsibility of the building owner, so the matter must be investigated and corrected by the owner in principle. If the housing company does not take action at the request of the shareholder, the health protection authority can be contacted about the matter.
Acting building inspector
Jari Kohtanen
044 730 1245
jari.kohtanen@ikaalinen.fi
Office Manager-Residential Secretary
Maarit Niikkonen
044 730 1519
maarit.niikkonen@ikaalinen.fi
Visiting and mailing address:
Kolmen airon katu 3
39500 Ikaalinen
Main pages
Most popular pages