Family house

Under Section 13 of the Czech Building Act (Act No. 283/2021 Coll.), a family house (rodinný dům) is a residential building in which more than half of the floor area is used for housing and which has at most three separate flats, at most two above-ground storeys, one underground storey and an attic. Instead of an attic it may have a third storey set back at least 2 metres from the external wall facing the street. A residential building beyond these limits is an apartment building.

Permit and occupancy approval

Under the Building Act, a residential building with at most two above-ground storeys, one underground storey and an attic or set-back storey is a simple structure. It still needs a building permit, on which the building authority decides within 30 days of the start of proceedings (extendable in complex cases), and unlike most simple structures it may only be used on the basis of an occupancy approval and only for the purpose stated in it.

Where the building type is recorded

The land register and the RÚIAN register record the building's use as 'family house'. Using it differently, for example for a business or short-term accommodation, may require a permit for a change of use. In zoning plans, family houses are usually in individual housing (BI) or rural housing (BV) areas.

What to check when buying

Check that the actual house, including extensions, an attic conversion or a garage, matches the permits and occupancy approval. The owner must keep documentation of the building as built for its whole life. If it has not survived, the building authority can order the owner to have a building passport (pasport stavby) prepared. If no documents showing the permitted purpose survive, the building is deemed intended for the purpose its construction and layout suggest.