The Act 16 Procedure and the Surveyor's Role

Issuing Act 16 — “Use Permit” is the final administrative act that turns a building from “almost finished” to “ready for operation”. Without this document the building cannot be put into operation, registered as completed in the cadastre, or transferred to buyers.

What Act 16 is

Per the Spatial Development Act (ZUT), Act 16 is the final acceptance act certifying that:

1. The construction is executed per the approved project and construction permit;
2. All technical documentation is available — as-built drawings, certificates, protocols;
3. Surrounding infrastructure is completed and functional;
4. All construction-process participants have signed the acceptance acts.

Issued by DNSK (for Category I and II buildings) or by the Chief Architect of the municipality (Categories III–V).

From Act 14 to Act 16

Act 14 — Acceptance of construction

Issued after rough construction completion. The first geodetic survey is needed here — to certify the building is in correct position and geometry.

Act 15 — Building suitability

Issued after full completion. The surveyor prepares the final as-built survey with all building details and surrounding infrastructure.

Act 16 — Use Permit

The Act 16 application is submitted with full documentation, including as-built drawings, DVIP protocol, energy efficiency certificates, etc.

The surveyor’s role — what exactly they do

The surveyor prepares the as-built geodetic documentation containing:

1. As-built site plan — actual position of building and surrounding infrastructure;
2. As-built vertical layouts — actual heights, slopes, drainage;
3. As-built infrastructure schemas — actual position of V&K manholes, accesses, parking;
4. Coordinate register of the building — for cadastre registration;
5. Comparison with project position — documenting deviations (if any);
6. Signature and stamp of a registered engineer-surveyor.

Without this set of documents the Act 16 application is rejected immediately.

How long the procedure takes

Realistically — 2 to 4 months from construction completion to issued Use Permit, provided all documents are in order:

• Preparation of as-built geodetic documentation: 1–2 weeks;
• Filing for Act 15: 1–2 weeks before signing;
• Time from Act 15 to Act 16: 30–60 days (statutory);
• Possible delays from required statement acts or additional documentation: 1–3 months.

Conclusion

Geodetic survey for Act 16 is not a formality — it is the technical basis for the final administrative act. Order it on time, demand quality as-built documentation, and work with certified surveyors familiar with the procedure.

See our Act 16 survey service or send an inquiry for your project.