The building SCIA: immediate start, later control

In forceEdilizia & TitoliLegge/DecretoCogente● In review

Summary

TAV. 00

Sworn building title that allows works to begin immediately on filing, with the Municipality's control coming afterwards (within 30 days). Governed by art. 22 of D.P.R. 380/2001, it covers structural extraordinary maintenance, structural conservative restoration and light building renovation.

Scope of application

TAV. 01

It applies to the works listed in art. 22 of D.P.R. 380/2001. For heavy renovation and new construction implementing plans, the SCIA alternative to the permit (art. 23) is provided; for minor works the CILA or free building activity are used. The rules may be supplemented by regional laws.

In depth

TAV. A

Immediate start, control afterwards

The SCIA is the reverse of the permit: you do not wait for an act of the Municipality. The report is filed, sworn by a qualified professional, and works can begin at once; the authority's control comes afterwards. It is the building application of the general institute of art. 19 of Law 241/1990.

Which works

The SCIA covers extraordinary maintenance affecting structural parts, restoration and conservative rehabilitation on structural parts, and 'light' building renovation — the kind that does not reach the permit threshold — as well as works not attributable to free building activity, to the CILA or to the permit.

Where the SCIA sits

Free works

CILA

SCIA

Alt. SCIA

Permit

← lower impacthigher impact →

The control: the 30 days

The Municipality has thirty days from filing to check the report; if it finds shortcomings it adopts inhibitory measures — a ban on continuing and possible restoration — unless the party brings the works into conformity. After the term, the power of self-redress remains under the conditions of law.

The SCIA procedure

01
FilingThe professional swears compliance and the SCIA is filed at the one-stop building desk (SUE).
02
Immediate startWorks may begin at once, without waiting for an act of the Municipality.
03
Control (30 days)The Municipality checks within thirty days; if shortcomings, inhibitory measures save conformation.
04
ClosureAt the end of works, the final steps according to the intervention (for example the occupancy report).

SCIA, CILA or permit?

The SCIA sits in the middle of the ladder of titles: more than the CILA (as it covers structural works and light renovation), less than the permit (reserved for new construction and heavy renovation). For some heavy works the law allows the SCIA alternative to the permit (art. 23). As a rule the art. 22 SCIA does not entail the construction contribution, save increases in the urban load.

Why it matters

The SCIA shifted the centre of gravity of building from the preventive permit to sworn self-responsibility: it shortens times but loads the professional. It is the title that best tells the philosophy of the Consolidated Act after the reforms: less waiting, more responsibility.

Key points

TAV. K

Sworn title: works begin at once on filing, the Municipality's control comes afterwards (art. 22 D.P.R. 380/2001).
It covers structural extraordinary maintenance, structural restoration/rehabilitation and light building renovation.
The Municipality checks within 30 days; if shortcomings, inhibitory measures save conformation.
The pivot of the title is the designer's sworn statement (criminal liability too).
It sits between the CILA and the permit; for some heavy works there is the SCIA alternative to the permit (art. 23).

Frequently asked questions

TAV. Q

With the SCIA can I start the works immediately?

Yes: on filing at the one-stop building desk the works may begin immediately; the control is later (within 30 days).

What is the difference between SCIA and CILA?

The CILA is for the minor residual works (a leaner sworn notice); the SCIA is for more significant works, including structural ones and light renovation.

What happens if the Municipality finds irregularities?

Within 30 days it adopts inhibitory measures (stop the works, possible restoration) unless the intervention is brought into conformity; after that, the power of self-redress remains.

Is the SCIA onerous?

As a rule no for the art. 22 works, save increases in the urban load (for example some changes of use); the SCIA alternative to the permit (art. 23) is instead onerous.

What is the SCIA alternative to the permit?

It is the art. 23 SCIA usable, instead of the permit, for some heavy works (heavy renovation, new construction implementing plans): we cover it separately.

Glossary

TAV. G

SCIA: Certified Notice of Start of Activity: sworn title allowing the immediate start of works, with control coming afterwards.
Asseverazione: Statement by the qualified professional certifying the design's compliance, carrying criminal liability too.
Sportello Unico per l'Edilizia (SUE): Municipal office where building titles are filed.
Provvedimenti inibitori: Acts by which the Municipality, having found shortcomings, bans the continuation of works unless they are conformed.
Ristrutturazione edilizia leggera: Renovation that does not reach the permit threshold (no different building with volume/shape changes): it falls under the SCIA.