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Annexes and small works in rural areas: what needs a notification and what needs no formalities
This is a translation. The Romanian version of the article is the reference text.
⚠️ These guides apply only to buildings in Romania. The laws, standards, deadlines, fees and values quoted (Law 169/2026, P 118, CR 1-1-3, the O.A.R. guides) are Romanian; in your own country other rules apply.
For a shed, a pergola or a garage in the countryside, in many cases a building permit is no longer needed. The Code (Law no. 169/2026) has two simpler levels: no formalities (art. 299) and simplified notification (art. 294-296). Under Law 50/1991, household annexes were temporary buildings that required a permit, with simplified documents (art. 3). The differences are in the comparison table.
The levels in brief
| Type | What it covers | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Small temporary annexes | Covered terraces, pergolas, summer kitchens, kiosks, sheds, toilet blocks: at most 20 sqm in total, 2.5 m high, without foundations, demountable, on a timber or metal structure | No formalities (art. 299 para. 2 letter c) |
| Permanent annexes | Garages, covered terraces, pergolas, summer kitchens, kiosks, pools, toilet blocks: at most 50 sqm in total, non-demountable, including those under 20 sqm with foundations | Simplified notification (art. 294 para. 2 letter a point i) |
| Single-family home | A single home, ground floor or semi-basement and ground floor, without a basement, at most 150 sqm gross floor area, only to a standard design or a design approved by the county chief architect | Simplified notification (art. 294 para. 2 letter a point ii) |
| Anything else | Larger annexes, buildings in protected areas or in rural localities within metropolitan areas, homes outside the conditions above | Urban planning certificate and building permit |
The first two rows concern annexes outside single-family homes, the third a new home; all in rural areas, in compliance with the general urban plan (PUG) and the local urban planning regulations. The notification applies outside protected areas and historic monument protection zones.
No formalities at all (art. 299)
Besides temporary annexes of up to 20 sqm, art. 299 allows, without a permit and without a notification, outside protected built-up areas and monument protection zones, maintenance and repair works, for example:
- repairs to fences, without changing their shape and materials;
- repairs to roofs, roofing and terraces, without changing their shape and appearance;
- repair and replacement of windows and doors, keeping the shape and size of the openings;
- interior plastering, painting, finishes and flooring;
- repair or replacement of stoves, chimneys and interior installations;
- installing local heating systems and air conditioners;
- photovoltaic and solar panels for own consumption, by prosumers, with prior notice to the local authority (the only formality required here).
⚠️ “No formalities” does not mean “no rules”
Urban planning regulations and technical regulations on construction quality remain mandatory. Liability for breaching them lies with the owner, jointly with the designers and contractors, and acceptance at the end of the works is mandatory (art. 299 para. 3-5).
How to file the notification (art. 295-296)
- it is filed before the works start, by the holder of the main property right over the property (or of a claim right), with the town hall competent to issue permits;
- the notification form (approved by order of the competent minister) is completed and a simplified technical design is attached, prepared by architects with signing rights, civil engineers and other engineers, depending on the project;
- the fees provided by law for issuing permits are paid;
- the town hall confirms receipt and, within at most 15 working days, either does not reply, in which case there is tacit approval after 15 working days, or asks for clarification, or says that a permit is needed, or rejects the notification with reasons (art. 296). Notified works can start 15 calendar days after the 15-working-day period has elapsed (art. 296 para. 6).
Notifications are kept in a register at the town hall, and the designers enter the projects in the National Register of Constructions.
If you have already built without a notification
Carrying out works without a prior notification or without following the notified design is fined from 5,000 to 50,000 lei (art. 357 para. 1 letter a and para. 4 letter a). Annexes of up to 150 sqm can be legalised through a regularisation permit, under the conditions set out in the article on regularisation and fines.
Informational article based on Law 169/2026 (Official Gazette no. 661/10.08.2026). The exact conditions depend on the location, the protection zone and the local urban planning regulations; the Code also provides exceptions that we have not repeated here. It is not legal advice; check your case with the town hall.
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