A building permit is one of the most important documents proving that construction work is being carried out legally. However, having a permit does not mean that everything is being done properly: construction may exceed the permitted limits, be carried out after the permit has expired, or without any document at all.
It is sometimes necessary for builders, neighbors, or community members to verify that a permit has actually been issued, that it is valid, and that construction is being carried out in accordance with the terms of the permit. This is particularly relevant when:
- construction work is starting next to your property;
- you want to buy or renovate a property and are checking the documents;
- there are suspicions of unauthorized construction or exceeding the limits of the permit.
When and why it is worth checking a building permit
Checking a building permit is not just a formality—it is an important step in ensuring that the construction:
- is carried out legally and without violating your rights as a neighbor or community member;
- complies with urban planning, environmental, and safety requirements;
- does not pose a threat of unauthorized construction, which could lead to legal disputes.
Verification is also necessary for the builder themselves – when a project has been suspended and resumed after a long period of time. Building permits are valid for a limited period of time, so resuming construction after the permit has expired may be considered a violation.
“Residents have the right to know whether their neighbors’ construction is legal. An inspection is not a conflict, but a way to protect your rights,” says Dalia Kazlauskienė, a representative of the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate.
How to check the validity of a building permit online
Modern information systems allow every resident or specialist to check whether a specific building has a valid building permit. This can be done quickly and free of charge – you just need to know which portal to use and what information to search for.
Infostatyba
The system supervised by the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate Infostatyba is the main source of information on building permits issued. Here you can:
- search by building address or plot number;
- find the date of issue of the permit, the designer’s details, and the start and end dates of the work;
- see the status of the permit (valid/suspended/expired).
Electronic services portal (E. statyba)
Alternatively, you can use the Electronic Services Portal, which provides not only permits, but also the progress of project coordination, declarations on the start of construction and completion of the building.
To check the validity of a permit:
- Open the website www.planuojustatau.lt.
- Select the section “Information about permits.”
- Enter the address or unique object number (if known).
- Check the status of the permit, the date of issue, and the validity period.
What does the status of the permit indicate?
- Valid – the permit is active and construction can be carried out legally.
- Suspended – the inspection authority has temporarily suspended the permit until the violations or deficiencies are resolved.
- Expired – the permit has lost its legal force and construction under it is no longer possible.
- Revoked – the permit has been revoked, and the work is considered illegal.
“Infostatyba has become an integral part of public control – every resident can check whether their neighbor is building legally.” – Head of the Digitization Department at the Ministry of the Environment
What data is needed for verification
Although information systems allow public access to building permits, a successful search requires at least some specific data about the building or land plot. The more accurate the information, the faster the result.
Essential data for searching for a permit
- The address of the building is the most important search criterion. It is best to provide the full address: street, number, city or town. Searching by an incomplete or approximate address often yields no results.
- The unique number of the plot – the so-called cadastral number, which can be found in the documents of the Register Center or in the real estate extract. This is useful when the address is not officially assigned.
- Name or surname of the builder (client) – if the permit is issued to a specific person or company.
- Details of the designer or contractor – useful information if the project participants are known.
This information allows you not only to check the validity of the permit, but also to find out what project has been approved, whether the permit allows specific works (e.g., construction of an extension, reconstruction, change of purpose) and whether they comply with the construction work being carried out.
“If you see work in progress but the address is not yet official, the cadastral number is the only accurate way to identify the property.” – Registry Center consultant
What does it mean if the permit is valid but the construction raises doubts?
Even a valid building permit does not guarantee that all work is being carried out in accordance with the legal requirements. A building permit allows specific work to be carried out in accordance with an approved project, but does not allow for arbitrary deviations from the project or violations of its conditions. Therefore, there are cases where construction raises doubts among neighbors, even if the documents formally exist.
Deviations from the approved project
The most common problem is when construction is carried out differently than planned in the project. Changing the location of windows, increasing the area of a building, or adding an additional roof without new approval is a violation. In such cases, the construction no longer complies with the content of the permit and may be considered illegal.
Incorrect type of permit
Sometimes a permit is issued for reconstruction, but the builder actually carries out completely new construction. This violates the essence of the permit and may be equated with unauthorized construction. The exact type of permit (new construction, reconstruction, renovation) must correspond to the actual work.
Expired permit
A building permit is valid for 3 years from the date of issue if construction work does not commence during that period. If work commences on time, the permit is valid for another 5 years. After these periods, the permit expires and the work can no longer be carried out. Extension is possible only in accordance with the procedure laid down in the legislation.
“Having a permit is not a ticket to do whatever you want. Even a minor change without approval can become an administrative offense.” – VTPSI State Construction Supervision Department
What to do if you cannot find the permit or it looks suspicious
If you cannot find the building permit in public databases or notice discrepancies between the actual work and the documents, it is important to act responsibly, as this may indicate possible violations of the law.
The first step is to conduct an additional check
If you are unable to find the permit information yourself, it is worth contacting the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate (VTPSI). This can be done by:
- filling out a request via the Infostatybos portal;
- submitting an e-mail inquiry to the inspectorate with the specified address or cadastral number;
- by inquiring at the municipal architecture department that approved the project.
The inspectorate has the right to provide information about the validity of the permit and its essential conditions.
What to do if you suspect unauthorized construction
If you suspect that construction is taking place without a permit or in violation of the project, you can file an official complaint with the VTPSI. This can be done:
- by email at linija@vtpsi.lt;
- through the trust line system;
- by filling out a complaint form through the E. valdžios vartai portal.
It is important to provide as much information as possible: the address of the building, the nature of the work, when construction began, and how you believe it violates the law.
“Even a small extension or shed may be illegal if it requires a permit but one has not been issued.” – Marius Rimkus, Chief Architect of the Municipality
Need help?
Not sure if the building permit is valid? Can’t find the documents or have reasonable grounds to suspect that the work being carried out does not comply with the permit conditions? In such cases, it is very important to act based on facts and legal acts to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings with builders or neighbors.
The Stav.lt team helps residents and landowners assess the legality of construction and the validity of permits.
Our specialists can:
- check permit data in Infostatyba and other sources;
- assess whether the construction complies with the design conditions and whether the permit was issued on that basis;
- help prepare a request or complaint to the State Construction Inspectorate;
- provide advice on possible further action if the violations are confirmed.
If you see any suspicious construction, don’t wait – contact stav.lt. We will help you avoid risks, defend your rights, and ensure that construction in your neighborhood is carried out legally.