Attefall

Attefall refers to a type of small residential building in Sweden that can be built without a building permit under certain conditions. These structures, often called Attefall houses or Attefallshus, are named after Per Bolund, the former Minister for Housing and Digital Development, whose proposal led to their introduction. The regulations for Attefall houses were introduced in 2014 and have been amended since.

The primary advantage of an Attefall house is its simplified approval process. Typically, a building permit is required for new constructions. However, Attefall houses, if they meet specific criteria, only require a simple notification to the local municipality, known as an "anmälan". This significantly speeds up the process and reduces administrative hurdles for homeowners.

To qualify as an Attefall house, the building must not exceed 30 square meters in floor area. It can be used as a permanent dwelling, an guesthouse, a studio, or for other residential purposes, provided it's on the same property as an existing single-family or two-family house. There are also restrictions on how close the structure can be built to the property boundary, usually a minimum of 4.5 meters, though this can be waived with neighbor consent. Furthermore, an Attefall house cannot be built on a protected natural or cultural heritage site, or in a location where a general plan prohibits it. The regulations aim to offer flexible housing solutions and potentially increase density in existing residential areas.