室內設計地圖Do I need to apply for an "Interior Decoration Permit" for interior decoration? In which cases is review and completion inspection required?
In Taiwan, not all renovations require an "Interior Decoration Permit", but failing to apply when required is illegal. According to the "Building Interior Decoration Management Regulations" and the Building Act, for buildings used by the public, collective residential buildings above six floors, and cases involving changes to partition walls, ceilings, or fixed partitions, a permit must be obtained before construction by submitting plans through a licensed architect or interior decoration company. After completion, a completion inspection must be conducted to obtain a certificate of compliance. Surface decorations such as wallpaper, paint, curtains, and furniture do not require a permit. The following is neutral information, not engineering or legal advice.
At a Glance: Which Interior Decorations Require Review and Which Are Exempt?
Whether an Interior Decoration Permit is required depends on two factors: the type of building (whether it is a building used by the public or a non-public building designated by the Ministry of the Interior) and the scope of work (whether it involves ceilings, interior walls, partition walls, or fixed partitions above a certain height that are fixed to the structure). Below is a neutral comparison of common scenarios:
| Scenario | Generally Requires Review? |
|---|---|
| Changing partition walls (adding, removing, or relocating walls) | Often requires application |
| Installing ceilings or interior wall finishes fixed to the structure | Depends on building type and local regulations |
| Fixed partitions over 1.2 meters in height or partitions used as cabinets | Often falls under interior decoration scope |
| Applying wallpaper, painting, replacing curtains, laying carpet, placing furniture | Generally exempt |
| Replacing bathroom fixtures or kitchen cabinets (without structural or partition wall changes) | Often considered simple decoration, generally exempt |
This table is neutral information. Whether a specific case requires application depends on the determination of the local municipal or county (city) competent building authority.
What Are the Actual Steps for Interior Decoration Review and Completion Inspection?
According to the "Building Interior Decoration Management Regulations", a legal interior decoration permit involves two stages: "pre-construction review" and "post-completion inspection". The common procedure is as follows:
- Hire professionals to prepare plans: The building owner or user commissions a licensed architect or registered interior decoration company to prepare interior decoration plans (including location plans, floor plans, material specifications, fire safety and evacuation details, etc.).
- Submit for review and obtain a permit: Submit the plans to the local municipal or county (city) competent building authority or its delegated review agency (e.g., some counties/cities delegate to architects' associations). After approval and issuance of the permit, construction may begin.
- Construct according to approved plans: Construction must comply with the approved plans, and the contractor must be a registered interior decoration company.
- Apply for completion inspection: After completion, apply to the original review agency for a completion inspection to verify compliance with the plans and fire safety regulations.
- Obtain a certificate of compliance: Upon passing the inspection, the competent building authority issues a certificate of compliance for interior decoration.
Procedures and contact points may vary by county/city. Actual requirements are subject to the regulations of the competent building authority or review agency. This page provides neutral information, not engineering or legal advice.
Why Can Some Counties/Cities Delegate Review to "Architects' Associations"? What Are the Accredited Agencies and Simplified Mechanisms?
To streamline case processing, the "Building Interior Decoration Management Regulations" allow competent building authorities to delegate plan review and completion inspection to relevant professional institutions or organizations (commonly local architects' associations or accredited review agencies). For applicants, this means that in some counties/cities, interior decoration cases are submitted to the delegated review agency rather than directly to the building administration unit.
- Review agency: A professional organization commissioned by the competent authority to handle plan review and completion inspection.
- Signature responsibility: Plans must be signed by a licensed architect or professional design technician; changes to partition walls affecting public safety require an architect's certification.
- Timeframe reference: According to regulations, the review agency should complete the review within seven days of receiving the application; for completion inspection, personnel should be dispatched within seven days, and a certificate of compliance should be issued within five days after passing the inspection.
Whether outsourcing is adopted, the delegated entity, and submission methods vary by county/city. Please refer to the announcements of the local competent building authority. This page provides neutral information.
What Is the Remedial Process If Construction Has Already Started or If Notified of Missing Review?
In practice, it is common for construction to start before realizing that review is required. According to the Building Act, unauthorized construction without a permit may result in fines imposed by the competent authority on the building owner, user, or interior decoration practitioner, along with a deadline for improvement or remedial application. Failure to comply may lead to continuous fines. The general approach is:
- Stop construction and clarify the scope: Confirm whether the work falls under the legal definition of "interior decoration" and whether it involves partition walls or main structures.
- Commission an architect or interior decoration company to assess: Prepare plans based on the current state and check compliance with fire safety and fire resistance requirements.
- Follow the competent authority's instructions for remedial application or improvement: Submit for review or make corrections within the deadline, then apply for completion inspection.
Whether remedial application is possible, the required corrections, and penalties depend on the specific case and the decision of the competent building authority. For legal issues, consult a professional. This page provides neutral information.
From the Building Type Perspective: Which Types of Buildings Require Interior Decoration Review?
Whether interior decoration review is required depends not only on the work performed but also on the building type. Below is a neutral summary:
| Building Type | Generally Subject to Review? |
|---|---|
| Buildings used by the public (e.g., department stores, restaurants, offices, or other places open to the public) | Interior decoration generally requires a permit |
| Non-public buildings designated by the Ministry of the Interior or local authorities (e.g., collective residential buildings, office buildings) | Often requires application; some counties/cities require application for buildings above six floors or when adding bathrooms, toilets, or more than two rooms |
| Buildings owned by the same entity from ground floor to top floor (e.g., a single-owner townhouse) | Often not within the designated scope, but subject to local announcements |
Thus, for residential buildings, "one unit in a collective residential building" and "a whole townhouse owned by one person" may be treated differently. The scope and thresholds vary by county/city.
This table is neutral information. Whether a specific building is subject to review depends on the determination of the local municipal or county (city) competent building authority.
FAQ
Is an interior decoration permit always required for renovations? In which cases is it needed?
According to the "Building Interior Decoration Management Regulations", buildings used by the public and non-public buildings designated by the Ministry of the Interior require a permit. In practice, interior decoration in collective residential buildings above six floors often requires a permit; for buildings below five floors, a permit is needed when changing partitions or layouts. The exact determination depends on the local competent building authority. This page provides neutral information.
Which decoration works are exempt from applying for a permit?
Works that do not affect the main structure and are surface-level are generally exempt, such as applying wallpaper, painting, replacing curtains, placing furniture, and laying carpet. According to Article 3 of the "Building Interior Decoration Management Regulations", interior decoration does not include simple decorations like wallpaper, curtains, and furniture.
What items are included in the legal definition of "interior decoration"?
According to Article 3 of the "Building Interior Decoration Management Regulations", interior decoration refers to the decoration of ceilings, interior walls, fixed partitions over 1.2 meters in height or partitions used as cabinets that are fixed to the building structure, as well as changes to partition walls. It does not include wallpaper, curtains, furniture, etc.
What is the application process for an interior decoration permit?
There are two stages. First, review and permit: The building owner or user commissions a licensed architect or interior decoration company to prepare plans, submits them to the local municipal or county (city) competent building authority or review agency for approval, and obtains a permit before construction. Second, completion inspection: After completion, apply to the original review agency for inspection, and upon passing, apply to the competent building authority for a certificate of compliance.
How long does the review and completion inspection typically take?
According to the "Building Interior Decoration Management Regulations", the review agency should complete the review within seven days of receiving the application; for completion inspection, personnel should be dispatched within seven days, and a certificate of compliance should be issued within five days after passing the inspection. Actual timelines depend on the processing agency. This page provides neutral information.
Who can be commissioned to handle the plan review?
Plans must be signed by a licensed architect or professional design technician; changes to partition walls affecting public safety require an architect's certification. The contractor must also be a registered interior decoration company. For more information, refer to the page "How to Check an Interior Decoration Company's Registration and Confirm Legitimacy?" on this site.
What happens if I renovate without a permit?
According to Article 95-1 of the Building Act, unauthorized interior decoration without a permit may result in a fine of NT$60,000 to NT$300,000 imposed by the competent authority on the building owner, user, or interior decoration practitioner, along with a deadline for improvement or remedial application. Failure to comply may lead to continuous fines. For legal issues, consult a professional.
Is an "Interior Decoration Permit" the same as an "Interior Decoration Company Registration"?
No. "Interior Decoration Company Registration" is a qualification registration for companies or businesses. "Interior Decoration Permit (Review)" refers to the pre-construction review and completion inspection for individual decoration projects. They are different: contractors undertaking legal projects should have registration, and specific projects also require a decoration review permit. This page provides neutral information.
References (official data sources)
· This page is a neutral compilation of information for reference only. Please refer to the announcements of the competent authority for actual registration status and regulations.
