Deviation permit

Applying for a building permit may, in certain situations, require a deviation permit before the building permit itself. In some cases, an action may necessitate a deviation permit even if it does not require a building permit (for example, a construction project exempt from a building permit, but which deviates from the detailed plan or building ordinance).

Any deviation from building regulations, provisions, prohibitions, and other restrictions must always be based on a specific reason related to land use or the characteristics of the plot and its surroundings, not a personal or financial reason related to the applicant.

As a general rule, the deviation must lead to a better outcome than construction according to regulations, for example, in terms of traffic, urban landscape, environment, building protection, or safety.

However, the deviation must not:

• cause detriment to planning, the implementation of the plan, or other arrangements for land use
• hinder the achievement of nature conservation objectives
• hinder the achievement of objectives concerning the protection of the built environment
• or lead to significant construction in terms of its effects, or otherwise cause significant adverse environmental or other impacts

How to proceed

The obligations of the deviation permit applicant include, among others:

• clarifying background information
• planning and preparing the application
• commissioning necessary reports, and
• submitting and supplementing the application

The application for a deviation permit is submitted through the building supervision’s electronic service system (lupapiste.fi, in Finnish).

Building supervision recommends involving a principal designer in the project as early as possible to ensure that the applicant has sufficient background information and proper application planning. A principal designer is not a mandatory party in deviation permit applications.

General application information:

• The applicant for the deviation permit; if other than the holder of the building site, an authorisation must be attached
• The payer of the deviation permit; if other than the applicant, an authorisation must be attached
• a general description of the intended construction project
• a list of every deviation from the regulations
• a list of the specific reason for each deviation
• an assessment of the key impacts of the project involving the deviation, and the grounds for the application

Attachments

• site plan, which must show:
  • existing and planned buildings
  • the intended uses and main dimensions of the buildings
  • construction measures on the building site
  • the boundaries of the building site
  • the town plan regulations for the building site
  • the distance between buildings and the distance of buildings from the boundaries of the building site
  • buildings on neighbouring plots
  • building area in the detailed plan area
• building right calculation, showing:
  • used right to build
  • right to build required for the construction measure
  • any additional right to build being applied for
• Order map material for the deviation permit in the builder’s basic information package from Hämeenlinna’s online store (in Finnish).
• a document proving ownership of the building site or other basis for applying for an exception (title deed, sales contract, or lease agreement)