Building authority (stavební úřad)

The building authority (stavební úřad) decides on building permits and on changes to buildings (extensions, extra storeys, alterations), on occupancy approval and carries out inspections under the building rules. When issuing a permit it checks, among other things, that the project complies with the zoning plan and with construction requirements. It does not prepare the zoning plan itself; that is the job of the spatial planning office, usually a different department of the same town hall.

Which authority decides

Under the Building Act as in force in October 2026, the system is divided as follows:

• municipal building authorities, i.e. the offices of municipalities with extended powers and other municipal offices designated by Decree No. 130/2024 Coll.; they decide on most ordinary buildings including family houses,
• regional building authorities, i.e. regional offices, e.g. for projects subject to environmental impact assessment or for first-class roads,
• the Transport and Energy Building Authority (Dopravní a energetický stavební úřad) for reserved structures such as motorways, railways or large energy facilities,
• other building authorities (the ministries of defence, the interior and justice) for buildings serving their own needs.

Which municipal building authority covers a given municipality is set by the decree and is usually also stated on the municipality's website.

Upcoming change of the system

An amendment to the Building Act signed by the President in September 2026 turns the system into a state one. From 1 January 2027 a new Spatial Development Authority of the Czech Republic (Úřad rozvoje území České republiky) is to take over the agenda of the Transport and Energy Building Authority. From 1 January 2028 regional and municipal building authorities are to be abolished and replaced by regional spatial development authorities with local offices in municipalities with extended powers.

What it means for a buyer

Zoning information on websites and in listings is indicative. Whether an extension, garage or another house can be built is decided by the building authority for the specific project, taking into account e.g. the height limits and the conditions of the zone. Before buying, it pays to ask the authority directly, with the parcel number and a description of the plan. For an older house, check whether it was permitted and approved for use in its current form; permits and occupancy approvals can be traced in the building authority's files or, for older buildings, possibly in an archive.