Guide · Building Register · 2026
Submitting a notice of use in EHR: step by step
Eight steps in the Building Register, from the menu to the signature, plus the errors that most often block submission. Based on notices we filed this year.
From €190 (incl. VAT) if the documents exist. There is no state fee for a notice of use.
Submitting a notice of use in 8 steps
- Step 01
Check that a notice of use is enough
For a single-family house, a two-apartment house and their ancillary buildings, a notice of use is enough for construction, reconstruction and extension (Building Code, Annex 2). Other residential and non-residential buildings with a footprint over 60 m² or a height over 5 m need a permit of use for construction and larger extensions. See the table by building type.
- Step 02
Gather the documents
- building design; for smaller works an explanatory memorandum and site plan describing the work done;
- if there is no design and the work is already done – a building audit;
- details of who built it (a company or you yourself);
- photos of the work;
- if a representative files it – a digitally signed power of attorney;
- in an apartment building, consent of the other owners if the work affects common parts.
- Step 03
Open a new notice in the Building Register
Log in to ehr.ee (ID card, Mobile-ID or Smart-ID). In the menu choose Kasutamine → Kasutusluba ja kasutusteatis → Koostan uue teatise (Use → Permit and notice of use → Create a new notice). If you file on behalf of a company, choose the right representation when logging in.
- Step 04
Add the building and the activity
Find the building by its EHR code or address (the code is on the building page in ehr.ee). Choose the activity – e.g. construction, extension or reconstruction – and briefly describe what was done.
- Step 05
Add the building design and its author
In the cases listed in Annex 2 of the Building Code, the design according to which the building was built must be submitted with the notice (§ 48(4)). Upload the PDF into the building design (Ehitusprojekt) section, not under general attachments, and enter the author (company and responsible person).
In our cases EHR also required the author to sign the design in EHR itself, on the Allkirjad (Signatures) tab. A separately signed file alone was not enough.
- Step 06
Enter the persons
Add the owner and a person with the role Ehitamist teostav isik (person carrying out the construction). If you built it yourself, that is you. The notice cannot be submitted without this role.
- Step 07
Add the attachments
Add the site plan (type "Asendiskeem"), photos and the power of attorney (type "Muu lisa"). Do not add the same document in two places – it confuses the case officer.
- Step 08
Save, submit and sign
Click Salvestan (Save), then Esitan (Submit) and Allkirjastan (Sign). If EHR says "Palun salvesta kõik muudatused" (please save all changes), some change has not been saved. After signing, the notice goes to the local authority.
Common errors and how to avoid them
- Opening the apartment (building part) data
- If you open the data of an apartment or other building part while filling in the notice, EHR validates all its old fields (heating, ventilation, balcony etc.). If the work does not change the building part's data, do not open that view – unless the case officer asks for it.
- "Ehitusprojekt puudub" (design missing)
- The design has been added under general attachments. Move the PDF into the building design section.
- "Ehitusprojekt ei ole allkirjastatud" (design not signed)
- The design author has not signed it on the Allkirjad tab in EHR.
- "Ehitamist teostav isik puudub"
- Add the role Ehitamist teostav isik under persons.
- Submission fails
- A change has not been saved. Click Salvestan before submitting.
What happens after submission
10 days. If the local authority does not notify you within 10 days of the need for additional checks, you may start using the building (Building Code § 48(2)).
Additional checks. If the authority checks the notice more closely, it may involve the owner of the property or of a neighbouring property (§ 48(5) 3). Then the permit-of-use deadline applies – 30 days (§ 48(6), § 54(4)). If an involved neighbour gives no opinion within 10 days, it is presumed they do not wish to comment (§ 54(8)).
Comments. If the case officer asks for more, the notice is returned for completion in EHR. In an apartment building, add the owners' consent to the work already done straight away – the consent must come from owners (not tenants) and concern the completed work. If it contains personal data, add it as a separate file so the officer can mark it for internal use.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the notice of use procedure take?
If the local authority does not notify you within 10 days of submission of the need for additional checks, you may start using the building (Building Code § 48(2)). If additional checks start, the permit-of-use deadlines apply: a decision within 30 days (§ 48(6), § 54(4)).
Is there a state fee for a notice of use?
No. There is no state fee for a notice of use. The state fee for a permit of use application is €30 for a residential building and €60 for a non-residential building.
Can someone else submit the notice for me?
Yes. A representative submits it under a digitally signed power of attorney, added to the notice as an attachment. The power of attorney is signed by the property owner.
Are neighbours involved in the procedure?
Not always. During additional checks the authority may involve the owner of the property or of a neighbouring property if needed (§ 48(5) 3). In an apartment building it helps to attach the other owners' written consent to the work already done.
What if I built it myself or the builder's details are unknown?
The notice must state who built it (§ 48(3) 6). If you built it yourself, enter yourself as the person carrying out the construction. If the builder is unknown, explain this in the memorandum – if needed, the safety of the building is shown with a building audit.
Prepared by Seadusta.ee. Updated 28.10.2026. The local authority decides on the outcome of the procedure.
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.