Permit of use · Notice of use · Building Register
Permit of use – we apply for it for you
Measured survey, a building audit if needed, the application in the Building Register and liaising with the local authority. You get one price and one contact. If a simpler notice of use is enough for your building, we will tell you.
From €190 (incl. VAT) if the documents exist. Assessment within one working day.
Permit of use or notice of use?
People often search for a permit of use (kasutusluba) when a notice of use (kasutusteatis) is enough. It is faster and has no state fee.
Private house or its ancillary building
A notice of use is usually enough – if the municipality does not start additional proceedings within 10 days, you may start using the building.
Flat in an apartment building
Changing load-bearing or enclosing structures counts as reconstruction: a building permit and then a permit of use are needed. If changing technical systems amounts to reconstruction, an apartment building requires a building notice together with a building design. Work done before 1 July 2015 is legalised with a notice of use or permit of use; if there is no design, a building audit is carried out.
Apartment building, commercial or industrial building
Larger buildings often need a permit of use. The municipality or city decides within 30 days.
Building built before 22.07.1995
A legal basis for its construction is presumed; the exception is land not entered in the land register. A building missing from the register is entered with a data submission notice. A later alteration follows the rules in force when the work was done; work done after 1 July 2015 follows today’s rules.
How to check whether a building has a permit of use
- Open ehr.ee and search by the building’s address.
- Open the building page and look at the “Documents” tab: it shows a permit of use, a notice of use or that neither exists.
- Compare the building data (area, floors, use) with reality – any difference means the data needs correcting.
If this looks confusing, send us the address – we will check the register.
Prices: do it yourself or let us do it
Prices include VAT. Each additional building on the same property: half our fee; the survey and audit are added for that building. We quote the full amount before you order anything.
Do it yourself
€39 + state fee
Notice of use and legalisation kit: guide, templates and checklist.
Suits you if you are ready to draw up the documents yourself (the kit includes hidden-works and inspection certificate templates) and the building register doesn’t put you off. The survey and, if needed, the audit are done by a specialist.
We do it
- Building register procedure – from €190
- The documents (building design or audit) exist: we prepare and file the application, deal with the municipality and fix any remarks.
- Legalisation, turnkey – from €490
- Something is missing: we order the survey and, if needed, the audit, and take the procedure through to the register entry.
If needed, add the cost of a measured survey, building audit, electrical audit or energy performance certificate. We order these from our partners and put them on the same invoice – you do not sign separate contracts.
State fee: permit of use application €30 for a dwelling, €60 for a non-residential building. There is no state fee for a notice of use.
The builder disappeared and there are no documents?
If hidden-works inspection certificates or the construction diary are missing, we restore them. If everything else is in order: Restoring missing certificates from €140 plus Building register procedure from €190. If more is missing or you want it all done together: Legalisation, turnkey from €490. A certificate drawn up retrospectively carries its actual date of preparation and is based on photos, invoices and an inspection. See services
How it works and how long it takes
01
Describe the situation
Send the address, what was built or altered and when. Photos help.
5 minutes
02
Assessment and price
We check the Building Register and tell you which procedure is needed, how long it takes and what it costs in total.
1 working day
03
Preparation
Survey, documents and, if needed, an audit. Our partner visits the site; you only deal with us.
usually 2–6 weeks
04
Application and decision
We file the application in the Building Register. The municipality decides on the permit of use within 30 days of the day the application is submitted. With a notice of use you may start using the building 10 days after filing it, unless the municipality starts additional proceedings.
permit up to 30 d / notice 10 d
These are typical times, not a promise.
What we need from you
- The building’s address or Building Register code
- What was built or altered and roughly when
- Any existing drawings, permits and old papers
- A couple of photos of the building
- A digitally signed power of attorney – we send you a template
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a permit of use?
The municipality must grant or refuse the permit of use within 30 days of the day the application is submitted (Building Code § 54(4)). Preparation (survey, documents, an audit if needed) usually adds 2–6 weeks. With a notice of use you may start using the building 10 days after filing it, unless the municipality starts additional proceedings.
How much does a permit of use cost?
The state fee for a permit of use application is €30 for a dwelling and €60 for a non-residential building; there is no fee for a notice of use. The survey and, if needed, the building audit are often the larger part of the cost. Our work costs from €190. We quote the full amount before you order anything.
Does a private house need a permit of use?
Detached houses, two-flat dwellings and their ancillary buildings usually only need a notice of use, even if a building permit was needed to build them. The exact answer depends on the area, height and type of work – we tell you in the assessment.
What if the building was built without a permit?
If it was built between 22.07.1995 and 30.06.2015, it can usually be legalised with a notice of use or a permit of use if it meets the requirements and its safety is shown by a building design or a building audit (safety is assessed against the requirements in force when it was built, or today’s if the old ones were stricter). For a building built after 01.07.2015 without the required notice or permit, a building notice or building permit application for the existing building is usually filed first.
Do I have to deal with the municipality myself?
No. We act on your behalf under a digitally signed power of attorney and deal with the municipality ourselves. We fix the municipality’s remarks on the documents we prepare free of charge.
Written by Seadusta.ee. Updated 25.10.2026. The outcome of the procedure is decided by the local authority.
Read also
Notice of use or permit of use: which does your building need?
Table by building type and size.
Cost of a permit of use
State fees and what the cost really consists of.
Unauthorised building: how to legalise it
Steps and risks by construction date.
Buildings built before 1995
When a data submission notice is enough.
Enquiry
Get a free assessment
Briefly describe the situation. Within one working day we will tell you whether you need a permit of use or a notice of use is enough, how long it takes and what it costs in total.
- The enquiry and initial assessment are free and carry no obligation.
- If you can manage on your own, we will tell you so and point you to the right guide.
- Your data is not shared with third parties.
Prefer e-mail? Write directly to info@seadusta.ee.