Legalization of a Separate Entrance and Entrance Group

Legalization of a Separate Entrance and Entrance Group

Legalization of a separate entrance is a set of legal and construction actions required for the lawful creation of a new entrance to an apartment, shop, office, salon, medical premises, or other property. In practice, a separate entrance often involves:

• creating a new doorway in an external wall;
• interference with enclosing structures;
• changes to the building facade;
• installation of stairs;
• a ramp or platform;
• a vestibule;
• a canopy;
• use of part of the adjacent territory.

For this reason, a separate entrance is often not simply an internal alteration but a reconstruction that requires the appropriate construction procedure. The State Inspectorate for Architecture and Urban Planning of Ukraine expressly explains that if redevelopment involves interference with enclosing or load-bearing structures — for example, when creating a separate entrance to an apartment — the right to carry out construction works must be properly registered.

Before ordering a design or starting to remove part of a wall, it is necessary to determine the legal classification of the planned works, because the entire further legalization process depends on it.

Benefits of Working with Prikhodko & Partners

We do not begin with a universal list of “permits”; we begin with a legal audit of the specific premises. Our lawyers help:

• determine whether the works qualify as reconstruction;
• verify ownership rights to the premises;
• analyze the status of the facade and common property;
• review the land plot or adjacent territory;
• determine whether co-owner consent is required;
• support obtaining the necessary initial data;
• coordinate preparation of the design documentation;
• formalize the right to carry out construction works;
• support technical inventory and commissioning;
• formalize the changed characteristics of the real estate.

Is a Permit Always Required for a Separate Entrance?

No. The procedure depends on the nature of the works. Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 406 allows certain redevelopment of residential and non-residential premises to be carried out without a separate construction authorization document if it does not involve interference with enclosing or load-bearing structures and/or common engineering systems. However, creating a new entrance in an external wall is usually different from this type of “internal” redevelopment. Therefore, it is necessary to check:

• whether an opening is being made in the external wall;
• whether the wall is load-bearing;
• whether the facade changes;
• whether stairs or other external structures are added;
• whether common building territory is used;
• whether the technical and economic indicators of the premises change.

Separate Entrance to Non-Residential Premises

An entrance group is most often required by owners of:

• shops;
• offices;
• salons;
• medical premises;
• cafes;
• other commercial properties.

If non-residential premises are located on the ground floor of an apartment building, it is necessary to review not only the premises themselves but also:

• the status of the external wall;
• the facade;
• the foundation;
• the adjacent territory;
• possible common property of the co-owners;
• placement of stairs, a ramp, or a landing.

In 2026, the State Inspectorate for Architecture and Urban Planning of Ukraine, in a specific case involving reconstruction of non-residential premises with an entrance group, separately noted that such a structure may adjoin the foundation and enclosing structure of an apartment building and extend onto the adjacent territory.

Is Consent of the Building Co-Owners Required?

This depends on which elements of the building and territory are affected by the works. A separate entrance may involve:

• the facade;
• a load-bearing wall;
• the foundation;
• common structural elements;
• the adjacent land plot;
• other common property.

Therefore, before starting the works, it is necessary to determine the legal status of the relevant part of the building. The official Diia Guide also provides for consideration of the rights of the owner of the existing building and relevant approvals in certain local procedures involving reconstruction of parts of a building with the creation of a separate entrance.

Separate Entrance When Converting an Apartment into Non-Residential Premises

Owners of ground-floor apartments often consider creating a separate entrance together with changing the functional use of the premises. These are two related but legally distinct matters. It is necessary to separately check:

• whether the status of the premises can be changed;
• the conditions for using the premises for business;
• the construction procedure for creating the entrance;
• the facade and common property;
• the land plot;
• accessibility requirements;
• whether technical characteristics need to be updated.

It is not advisable to begin constructing the entrance group before the entire legal model for using the premises has been analyzed.

Design of a Separate Entrance

If the works qualify as reconstruction, proper design documentation is required. The design may include:

• architectural solutions;
• structural solutions;
• creation of a doorway;
• stairs;
• a ramp;
• a canopy;
• structural reinforcement;
• other solutions depending on the property.

The design must take into account requirements concerning:

• reliability and safety;
• fire safety;
• accessibility;
• urban planning documentation;
• other applicable construction standards.

Accessibility Requirements for the Entrance Group

For public and commercial properties, it is particularly important to take into account accessibility requirements for persons with reduced mobility. Since September 2025, updated requirements of DBN V.2.2-40:2018 on accessibility of buildings have been in force, including requirements for entrances and movement routes. The State Inspectorate for Architecture and Urban Planning of Ukraine refers, in particular, to requirements concerning:

• space in front of accessible entrances;
• thresholds;
• ramps;
• movement routes;
• other elements of the entrance group.

For reconstruction, a wheelchair maneuvering area of 1.5 × 1.5 m is required in front of an accessible entrance.

Are Urban Planning Conditions and Restrictions Required?

It cannot be automatically stated that urban planning conditions are required for every separate entrance. This depends on:

• the nature of the reconstruction;
• the type of property;
• urban planning legislation;
• the existing parameters of the building;
• the specific design solutions.

Therefore, the issue of initial planning data should be assessed after the legal classification of the works has been determined.

Right to Carry Out Construction Works

If the entrance construction involves interference with external enclosing or load-bearing structures, the relevant right to perform construction works must be properly formalized. For CC1 properties, under the relevant conditions, this may involve filing a notification of commencement of construction works. For more complex properties, the procedure may differ depending on the consequence class. Therefore, the following are determined first:

• the consequence class;
• the type of works;
• existing construction documentation;
• the required authorization mechanism.

The official explanation of the State Inspectorate for Architecture and Urban Planning of Ukraine expressly cites the creation of a separate entrance as an example of works involving interference with structures for which a notification is required in the relevant circumstances.

Site Improvement Issues When Creating an Entrance Group

If the works extend beyond the premises themselves and affect the area around the building, separate site improvement issues may arise. For example:

• temporary damage to paving;
• installation of stairs;
• installation of a ramp;
• works on a sidewalk;
• other works in common-use areas.

Specific procedures depend on the locality because site improvement rules and relevant control mechanisms are also established at the local level. Therefore, the old universal approach of “first obtaining a site improvement disturbance permit card” does not apply to every property.

Technical Inventory After Reconstruction

After the works are completed, the actual characteristics of the premises should be checked. Technical inventory makes it possible to record:

• the new entrance;
• the configuration of the premises;
• the area;
• other technical changes.

Current technical documentation is prepared based on the results and may be required for the next stage of registration.

Commissioning of Reconstructed Premises

If the works were carried out as reconstruction on the basis of a document authorizing construction works, the property must be commissioned after completion in accordance with its consequence class. This may involve:

• registration of a declaration of readiness — for relevant CC1 properties;
• obtaining a certificate — for CC2 or CC3 properties.

Only after the construction procedure has been properly completed should the final update of registration information about the premises be carried out.

Registration of Changes After Creating the Entrance

If the characteristics of the real estate have changed after reconstruction, it is necessary to check whether information in the State Register of Property Rights must be updated. Relevant information may include:

• the technical passport;
• the commissioning document;
• the address;
• the area;
• the designated use;
• other property characteristics.

How to Legalize an Existing Separate Entrance

If the entrance group has already been built without the required documents, the legal status of the completed works must first be determined. The following are checked:

• when the works were carried out;
• whether load-bearing structures were affected;
• whether the facade was changed;
• whether the adjacent territory was used;
• whether a design exists;
• whether there was authorization to perform the works;
• the consequence class of the property;
• whether the documentation can be brought into compliance.

There is no universal mechanism allowing a permit to be obtained “retroactively” for any unlawful entrance group. In some situations, reconstruction may need to be properly formalized; in others, violations may need to be remedied; and in certain disputes, court protection may be required.

Risks of an Unauthorized Entrance Group

Unauthorized creation of an entrance may result in:

• claims from architectural and construction control authorities;
• site improvement issues;
• disputes with building co-owners;
• requirements to remedy violations;
• difficulties when selling the premises;
• discrepancies between the technical passport and the actual condition;
• problems with state registration;
• court disputes.

The rules for maintenance of residential buildings expressly prohibit alterations and redevelopment that undermine load-bearing structures, damage the integrity of the facade, or create fire safety violations.

Stages of Cooperation with a Lawyer

1. Initial request. You provide documents for the premises and a description of the planned or existing entrance.
2. Legal audit. We review ownership rights, the building, facade, and land plot.
3. Classification of works. We determine whether the works qualify as redevelopment, reconstruction, or another type of work.
4. Concept approval. We determine the required consents and initial data.
5. Design. We coordinate preparation of the design solutions.
6. Construction documents. We formalize the required right to carry out construction works.
7. Completion of reconstruction. We support technical inventory and commissioning.
8. Registration of changes. Where necessary, we update the real estate information.

Cost of Legalizing a Separate Entrance

The cost depends on the actual condition of the premises and the complexity of the reconstruction. The price is affected by:

• the type of premises;
• residential or non-residential status;
• the type of building;
• the need to create an opening in the external wall;
• whether the structure is load-bearing or non-load-bearing;
• the need for stairs or a ramp;
• the legal status of the land plot;
• the need for approvals;
• design work;
• the consequence class;
• the need to legalize works already completed;
• the scope of registration support.

Common Situations When Creating a Separate Entrance

Conclusion

Legalization of a separate entrance should begin by determining the nature of the planned works and the legal status of the structures they affect. If creation of the entrance involves interference with an external wall or facade, or use of the adjacent territory, comprehensive legal support for the reconstruction is usually required — from verification of rights and design documentation through commissioning and updating registration data.

Do you need a separate entrance to an apartment, shop, office, or other premises, or do you need to legalize an entrance group that has already been built? Submit a request on the Prikhodko & Partners Law Firm website. A lawyer will review the documents and structural characteristics of the property and determine the lawful registration procedure.