Checking a Bulgarian building permit’s duration, commencement, structural completion and possible revalidation.
An old building permit is not an unlimited entitlement to commence works. Under Article 153 of the Spatial Development Act, its effect depends on finality, commencement, the stage reached and any revalidation.
Under the general cases, a permit loses effect if construction has not started within three years of finality, or the structural shell, including the roof, is not completed within five years of commencement. Specified categories and special projects have a ten-year case. Identify the applicable rule rather than choosing the longest period.
An excavator invoice alone does not establish legal commencement. Examine construction records and the statutory site-opening procedure. Older permits may also involve transitional rules tied to their dates.
The Act provides for the developer to request revalidation within three months after the relevant period expires, and for revalidation only once, for commencement or completion. Where works have not begun, compliance with the current detailed plan and relevant special approvals is checked. A conversation with the municipality is not revalidation.
A change of owner or developer should not be treated as a new permit. Separately verify the real right to build: a valid permit does not resolve an expired building-right issue, and an existing real right does not revive an expired permit.
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This article is for general information only. It does not constitute or replace individual legal advice.