Civil Engineering—Structural Works

​

In the case of work on structural components of an existing building or the construction of new buildings and/or additions, a construction permit issued by the competent Civil Engineering Authority is required (Seismic Permit).

​

This regulation contains all procedures pertaining to structures located in seismic zones. Specifically, it establishes three categories:

• Work that does not require seismic authorization; this category includes, for example:

  • Work on non-structural elements, such as interior partitions;

  • Installation of interior staircases in prefabricated homes, made of wood or steel;

  • Installation of window and door frames;

  • Construction of boundary walls with a maximum height of 1 m;

  • Installation of solar or photovoltaic panels weighing up to 20 kg/sq m.

• Work that can be certified by a technician without an inspection by the Civil Engineering Department (although a random inspection is still conducted, as we will explain later), for example:

  • New buildings up to two stories high;

  • Retaining walls, canopies, and porches, up to a maximum height of 3.5 meters;

  • Opening sections of load-bearing walls or floors to create door or window openings, or to install Velux-type skylights or interior staircases;

  • Installation of solar or photovoltaic panels weighing between 20 kg/sq m and 150 kg/sq m.

• Projects subject to mandatory review by the Civil Engineering Department’s seismic commission; this category includes, among others:

  • Public works projects;

  • Private construction projects funded by public entities;

  • Projects to add stories to existing structures and seismic retrofitting projects.

​

​

 

The timeline for issuing a building permit, if not selected in a random draw, may be significantly longer if selected, as the Seismic Commission’s review can be very time-consuming and may require the submission of additional documentation deemed necessary. In the specific case of Rome, priority is currently given to public projects—of which there are many—thereby causing delays in the issuance timeline for other projects…

Following the issuance of the Seismic Authorization, it will be necessary to appoint a Structural Project Manager, as well as, in certain cases, an Inspector, who will verify the proper execution of the work, assisting the contracted companies.

Upon completion of the work, a static test report must be submitted, which in some cases may be verified through an on-site inspection by the designated project manager.

As you can see, there are quite a few requirements to fulfill, and they demand a high level of technical expertise, as well as various professionals, including an engineer, a testing engineer, an architect, and a geologist…

If you would like consultation regarding the execution of these projects, please do not hesitate to contact us. You’ll have access to a team of professionals with whom you can discuss your needs—all under one roof!