Building supervision
Measures aimed at the built environment and buildings almost always require a permit.
Our building inspectorate will guide you in applying for a permit and determine whether your measures require a permit. Contact us well in advance during the planning phase, so that together we can determine what kind of permits, plans and designers your project requires.
Due to the nature of the work and occasional remote work, the building inspector is not always available at the office. If there is a need to arrange a meeting at the office, we always recommend that you arrange a meeting time in advance.
Bulletin regarding the safety of cement fiber balcony railing panels
On 26 May, the Ministry of the Environment informed the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Agency and, together with the Association of Local and Regional Authorities, the municipal building control authorities about the accident that occurred in Helsinki in September 2025 and the progress of the investigation. Based on the tests it has carried out, the Finnish Accident Investigation Board has issued a bulletin and an accident threat notification on 21 May 2026 regarding cement fibre boards used in balcony railings.
The Ministry recommends that building control authorities ask those undertaking construction projects to pay attention to ensuring that railing structures, including cement fiber board structures used in the protective parts of railings, meet the requirements in ongoing construction projects requiring permits. The Licensing and Control Authority is responsible for informing municipalities.
According to a press release from the Finnish Accident Investigation Board, the safety investigation is ongoing and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. It is advisable to exercise caution when using balconies equipped with cement fiber plate railing structures. The authorities will provide information on possible actions and recommendations regarding existing buildings once the safety investigation is complete.
According to the Construction Act (751/2023), a building and its surroundings must be maintained in such a condition that it constantly meets the requirements of health, safety and usability. The responsibility for maintaining a building lies with the building owner. Building owners, for example housing companies, can hire an expert to investigate the situation of their own building. General advice can be obtained from the building inspection authority of their municipality.
Accident Investigation Board press release of 21 May 2026
Construction Act enters into force on 1 January 2025
The Land Use and Building Act, which governs construction, will be replaced by the Construction Act from the beginning of 2025. The Construction Act will bring several changes.
The new law will only apply to permit applications submitted as of January 1, 2025; the Land Use and Construction Act will apply to projects initiated before this date.
Under the new law, more and more small projects no longer require a permit. For example, new non-residential and recreational buildings under 30 m² and under 120 m³, as well as sheds under 50 m², can generally be built without a permit. Even in construction projects where a permit is not required under the new law, it is the responsibility of the person undertaking the project to ensure that all construction sites are planned and constructed in accordance with the Building Act, building regulations, including fire regulations, the plan, the municipal building code and guidelines.
The construction of a new building site requires a building permit if the site is:
1) residential building;
2) a building with a size of at least 30 square meters or 120 cubic meters;
3) a canopy of at least 50 square meters;
4) an audience structure that can be used by at least five natural persons at the same time, with the exception of an event structure that remains in place for a maximum of three months;
5) a mast or chimney at least 30 metres high;
6) an illuminated advertising device of at least 2 square meters;
7) energy well;
8) an area built for a specific activity that has an impact on the use of the surrounding areas.
The construction of a new building site also requires a building permit if the construction has a minor or significant impact on the use of areas, cityscape, landscape, cultural heritage or environmental aspects, the construction requires official supervision to ensure that essential technical requirements are met, or building supervision is necessary to supervise the construction of the building site in the public interest.
A building permit is also required for repairs and alterations that are comparable to the construction of a building, as well as for the extension of a building or the increase in the floor area of a building. When repairing a building, a building permit is required if the repair is aimed at eliminating a health hazard identified in the area of the measure to a greater extent than minor, the load-bearing structure of the area of the measure is damaged, or the repair measures may endanger the health and safety of the building, or the repair has a significant impact on the cityscape, landscape or cultural heritage. A building permit is also required for repairs that affect the essential characteristics of the building. A building permit is always required if:
1) a building protected by a plan or by law or of historical or architectural value is repaired or altered in a way that has a significant impact on the protected or architectural value of the building;
2) repair or modification work related to the building envelope or technical systems can significantly affect the building's energy efficiency or energy and environmental impacts during the building's entire life cycle;
3) the purpose of use of the building or part of it is substantially changed.
The occupational safety and health authority monitors the implementation of occupational safety in construction.
The occupational safety guide for single-family home builders provides information about the responsibilities and dangers of single-family home construction sites.
Link to the guide on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's online service:
Small house builder's occupational safety guide (Publications of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 2/2021)
Link to news: The Occupational Safety and Health Authority provides instructions to developers of single-family housing construction sites
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
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