Small-scale works

ergasies-mikrhs-klimakas

Ministerial decision on the approval of small-scale works – Statement by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Kalafatis

The Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Stavros Kalafatis, signed a ministerial decision setting out the procedures and supporting documents required for the issuance of small-scale work permits by the competent Building Authorities.

With this decision:

  • Reducing bureaucracy
  • The procedures and supporting documents examined by the competent authorities are objectified and precisely defined, leaving no room for different interpretations by each YDOM.
  • The role and responsibility of engineers as key contributors in the construction industry is highlighted.
  • The safety of workers in the construction sector is promoted by the obligation to submit a safety measures study and the appointment of a safety measures coordinator, where required.
  • Special care is taken and the procedure for repairs or renovations in traditional settlements or listed buildings is made completely clear.
  • The procedure for granting approval for small-scale works on properties covered by Law 4014/2011 or which will be covered by Law 4178/2013 is clarified in detail.
  • An explicit obligation is established for the YDOM to issue approval for small-scale works within two days, after checking the necessary supporting documents.

On this issue, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Stavros Kalafatis, stated:

“At the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, we always focus on solving real problems faced by citizens and the market. With a plan and a system in place, we are moving forward with reforming the way we perceive structured space. The ministerial decision to approve small-scale works is a real tool for reducing bureaucracy. And that’s not all. After months of detailed work, we’re setting clear rules that everyone knows about in advance and laying out the procedures in detail. This is so we can finally build a new relationship of trust between citizens and the state, even when it comes to urban planning.”

It should be noted that Article 48 of Law 4178/2013 “combating illegal construction, environmental balance, and other provisions,” the works for which a building permit or approval for small-scale works or simple written notification to the YDOM are required were redefined in a rational manner.

Approval for small-scale works is issued by the competent building authority, following an application by the owner or the person with legal rights, accompanied by an engineer’s technical report. Approval for small-scale works is required for the following works on legally existing buildings:

1. Test soil cuts and excavation following a document from the competent archaeological service.

2. Installation of prefabricated houses for self-housing of disadvantaged and special population groups as defined from time to time.

3.Pumping facilities and buildings with the absolutely necessary dimensions for the housing them in accordance with Article 3 of Presidential Decree 24/31.5.1985 (D 270), except in the case where the requires the construction of columns and provided that they have the required approval of the competent Directorate of Agriculture.

4. Water drilling on privately owned land within a plan or within a settlement or on land outside a plan, following approval by the local municipality and the competent regional authority.

5. Work required for geotechnical investigations, in accordance with EAK 2003, without shoring work.

6. Installation of temporary structures accompanied by a certificate of structural adequacy.

7. The construction of an elevator in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 27, which is required for the movement of persons with disabilities or persons with reduced mobility in existing buildings or in buildings that have an elevator with internal cabin dimensions that do not comply with ELOT – EN 81-70, or in buildings where the elevator stops must be extended in order to serve persons with disabilities or persons with reduced mobility.

8. Cutting trees within approved street plans or Z. O.E. that are not protected by provisions for the protection of forests and forest areas in general or by provisions of archaeological legislation or legislation on protected areas or other relevant legislation.

9. Underground gas distribution or metering and regulation stations.

10. Installation of scaffolding. In this case, a plan and a health and safety file for the project must be submitted, appointing a coordinator in accordance with the provisions of Presidential Decree 305/1996 (A’305) and a statement of responsibility by an engineer for the supervision of the project.

11. Installation of construction site huts.

12. Excavation of cable ducts within the grounds or plots of petrol stations for the installation of inlet and outlet systems.

13. Installation of underground, prefabricated fuel gas tanks at gas stations.

14. Exterior painting or replacement of railings or repair of coatings or repair of facades using scaffolding and/or in areas designated as traditional settlements, areas of natural beauty, archaeological sites, historic sites, traditional settlements, traditional parts of cities, and/or in buildings designated as monuments, listed buildings, and their protection zones.

15. Facade cladding and replacement of glass panels.

16. Construction of pergolas in uncovered ground floor areas, or in the surrounding uncovered area, or on the lawn or roof, or on open balconies or terraces on the ground floor and upper floors.

17. Installation of an uncovered water tank or swimming pool, with a maximum surface area of 50 m², served by external compact engine room systems and not requiring reinforced concrete walls for their installation, provided that the height of all structures at no point exceeds one (1.00) meter from the final ground level and provided that no excavations or backfilling of the natural ground greater than one (1.00) meter are required for its installation and the required planting of the mandatory uncovered area is observed. The installation requires a statement from a competent engineer who assumes responsibility for the structural and electromechanical safety of the structure and installations.

18. Installation of antennas.

19. Internal alterations, provided that the load-bearing elements of the building are not affected.

20. The construction of green roofs and green surfaces.

21. Installation of external thermal insulation or passive solar systems on the external facades of existing buildings, provided that the facades are not altered.

22. Maintenance and repair of roofs using scaffolding.

23. Simple fencing from stonework up to a height of one (1.00) meter or fencing made of lightweight material, fields in outside planned areas and the fencing with makeshift construction (such as wire mesh) in plots not expropriated in within planned areas. Furthermore, it is permitted to demarcate with piles the corners of the plot or field.

24. The construction of stone warehouses on cultivated farms, in accordance with Article 6(4) of Presidential Decree 24/31. 5.85 Government Gazette 270D, with a surface area of up to fifteen (15) square meters and a total height with the roof of up to three (3.00) meters, provided that no reinforced concrete is used in its roof, and it is constructed independently of any existing main building, once for each plot and after approval by the competent Directorate of Agriculture.

25. Construction of stoves, ovens, and fireplaces when these do not affect the structural adequacy of the load-bearing structure of independent properties.

26. Replacement of roof, with the same dimensions, without change in volume and without increase in the final height of the building and roof.