Municipal Permits for Prefabricated Houses: Step-by-Step Guide

Building without a permit in Chile is a huge risk: fines, prohibition of habitation, inability to sell with a mortgage, and even demolition orders. Here we explain the legal path for your turnkey house.

Step 1: Certificate of Prior Information (CIP)

This is the "mother" document. It is requested at the Municipal Works Dept (DOM) of your commune. It will tell you buildability, heights, and permitted land uses. Never buy land without seeing the CIP.

Step 2: Architecture and Engineering Folder

You must present a file signed by a sponsoring Architect. It includes:

Floor plans, elevations, and sections.
Technical Specifications (EETT).
Structural Calculation (Calculation Memory) if the house exceeds certain m².

At Canadian Houses, all this engineering is included in your project.

Step 3: Obtaining the Building Permit

The DOM reviews the file. If everything is OK, it issues the Building Permit upon payment of municipal fees. Now you can finally build legally!

Step 4: Installation Certifications

During construction, you must process:

TE1 (SEC): Certificate of declared interior electrical installation.
TC6 (SEC): Certificate of gas installation.
Water and Sewerage: Certificate of supply or sanitary resolution of the private project (septic tank).

Step 5: Final Reception

Once the house is finished, the architect requests the Final Reception. A municipal inspector visits the site to verify that what was approved in the plans was built. If it matches, they give you the final certificate.

Does it seem complicated? It is if you do it alone. Hire a company that includes municipal management in its service.