Whether it is a new construction or an intervention on an existing construction, obtaining the urbanism certificate is the first step that must be done in order to later start an investment.

The urbanism certificate is generally issued by the mayors.

It is obtained on the basis of a file prepared, in most cases, by the architect.

The next step is to obtain the approvals and agreements listed in the certificate.

In addition to approvals and agreements, through the urbanism certificates are requested (depending on the case) various studies, expertise, audits, etc.

As in the case of certificates, the approvals listed in it are also obtained based on files prepared by the architect (depending on the approval to be obtained).

The usual approvals and studies listed in the urbanism certificates (for complex constructions) are the following:

• Utility permits (water supply, sewerage, electricity supply, thermal energy supply, natural gas, telephone, urban transport, sanitation, etc.);
• Approval from the environmental protection agency;
• Approval from the traffic commission;
• Approval from the culture commission (if the objective is located in the protected area);
• Approval from the state inspectorate for constructions (ISC);
• Fire safety notice (ISU);
• Notice of civil protection;
• Approval from the population health commission (DSP);
• Approval of the General Staff (SMG);
• Topographic study;
• Geotechnical study;
• Technical expertise (in case of interventions on existing constructions);
• Survey of the existing situation (in case of interventions on existing constructions);
• Sun study;
• Study of alternative energies;
• Energy performance certificate;
• Energy audit report;

There are also situations in which the urbanism certificate lists the preparation and approval of urban planning documents such as Detailed Urban Plan (PUD) or Zonal Urban Plan (PUZ).

This type of documentation (urban planning) is used when the investor wants the objective to be developed to have other parameters than those approved by the general urban plan for the plot on which the investment is to start.

Usually, in these situations, the first step is the preparation and approval of PUD or PUZ documents. After their approval, a new urbanism certificate is requested based on the PUD or PUZ approved in order to obtain the building permit.

For all the steps listed above, it is necessary to involve the architect and, as the case may be, the urban planner from the beginning of the process of developing an investment.