Homeowners should be careful. There are severe penalties for such constructions

Terrace roofing is a popular solution that allows you to use your home space regardless of the weather. In many cases, however, investors assume that the implementation of such a structure does not require any formalities. The applicable construction law regulations show that this is not always true.

Whether it will be necessary to obtain a building permit or submit a notification depends primarily on the terrace area and the size of the planned roof. Failure to fulfill the obligations may result in the investment being considered as unauthorized construction, which involves additional costs.

Terrace roofing and building permit

The regulations provide for situations in which the construction of a roof does not require obtaining a building permit. This applies, among others, to specific shelters, porches, orangeries and home ground terraces that meet the conditions specified in the Act.

If the roof has an area of ​​up to 35 sq m. or is performed over a terrace exceeding 35 sq m, but the roof area is not larger than 50 sq m, the investor may use simplified procedures provided for by construction law.

When is reporting required?

In some cases, a building permit is not necessary, but the investor must submit a notification to the appropriate architectural and construction administration authority. The authority then has 21 days to raise an objection.

However, the regulations also provide for exceptions. If certain conditions regarding the terrace area and roofing are met, the investment may be carried out without a permit and without notification.

What rules apply from 2026?

From January 7, 2026, the regulations clearly distinguish between roofed and uncovered terraces. In simple terms, this means that a roof with a roof area not exceeding 35 sq m. made above a terrace with an area of ​​up to 35 sq m. requires neither permission nor notification.

However, if the terrace has an area larger than 35 square meters and the roof does not exceed 50 square meters, notification is necessary. When the roof area exceeds 50 square meters, a building permit is required.

Illegal construction can cost dearly

Before starting the investment, you should also check whether the property is covered by the local development plan. If it is not available, it may be necessary to obtain a decision on development conditions in advance.

Property owners should be particularly careful because constructing a roof without the required formalities may be considered illegal construction. Legalizing such an investment involves additional costs, and the regulations also provide for the possibility of imposing a fine. Therefore, before starting work, it is worth carefully analyzing the applicable regulations and determining what obligations arise from construction law.