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If you are planning to carry out work on your property, it is essential that you understand how to request a building renovation permit according to Italian law. To comply, in fact, the state provides different authorization procedures, each with its own bureaucratic process to follow.

Don't let this scare you, though: the difference between CIL, CILA, SCIA, and DIA is simpler than it might seem and depends on the type of work you are about to carry out. Article 3 of the Consolidated Law on Buildings distinguishes them as follows:

ordinary maintenance interventions, which mainly concern the rapid renewal, repair or replacement of finishes;
extraordinary maintenance interventions, which also involve the structural parts of the building;
restoration and conservative rehabilitation interventions, which serve to guarantee the normal functioning of the structure of the building;
renovation interventions, which concern the interior and exterior of a building, and which also include demolition and reconstruction works;
new construction interventions;
urban restructuring interventions, which affect the master plan and modify entire neighborhoods and traffic;
free building activities, for which no permits are required.

At first glance, the world of building permits may seem complicated. With this guide, we at Casavo will help you clear up the confusion, unravel these acronyms, and clarify the difference between SCIA, CILA, and other permits for building works and renovations.

CIL (Communication of Start of Works)

For most ordinary maintenance interventions, the principle of free construction applies and therefore no administrative procedures of any kind are required. Some municipalities, however, may require a written notification to be submitted to the Single Building Office: the CIL is an acronym for Communication of Start of Works.

Beyond the discretion of your municipality, the document is mandatory by law even in the case of some common interventions:

temporary works up to a limit of 90 days;
paving and finishing of outdoor spaces;
construction of underground cavities, water collection tanks and buried rooms;
installation of solar and photovoltaic panels outside the historic center - zone A) of ministerial decree 1444/1968 - perhaps taking advantage of the tax benefits of the Ecobonus for first homes;
work on non-profit play areas and on the furnishing elements of the areas pertaining to the buildings.

When a renovation project involves more demanding work, the CIL is no longer sufficient, the difference between CIL, CILA, SCIA and DIA comes into play and the administrative procedure to follow expands. Let's see how it works.

CILA (Certified Notice of Commencement of Works)

For extraordinary maintenance interventions that do not concern the structural parts of the building, you need a different authorization procedure: the CILA (Certified Notice of Commencement of Works).

The difference between CIL and CILA is not limited to the depth of the work. of renovation works: in this case, a certification from a professional must also be attached. A technician's certification serves to certify that the project complies with the urban planning plan, current building regulations, anti-seismic and energy efficiency regulations.

To further clarify the differences between CIL and CILA, let's try an example. If you intend to replace the interior finishes - such as renovating the plaster or replacing the fixtures - the Notice of Commencement of Works is sufficient. Changing the internal distribution of the rooms, opening new internal doors and moving non-structural walls, on the other hand, is not required. considered as extraordinary maintenance and requires the CILA.

SCIA (Certified Notification of Commencement of Activity)

Unlike the CILA, the SCIA – which stands for Certified Notification of Commencement of Activity – authorizes generally more demanding works. It may seem similar to a building permit in some respects, even if it is much more practical and quicker. In this case, in fact, it is not the Municipality that verifies compliance with building regulations but it is up to the citizen to self-certify it through the technical certification.

Article 22 of Presidential Decree 380/2001 lists the requirements for using the Certified Notification of Commencement of Activity as a permit for building renovation. By law, this is the bureaucratic procedure to follow for all interventions that do not fall under Article 10 - governed by the building permit - and Article 6 - which deals with free building. In essence? Any type of work that is not authorized through the CILA, such as extraordinary operations on the structure of the building, major restorations, and even demolition with subsequent reconstruction.

As a demonstration of its practicality, know that you can also use the SCIA as a quick alternative to the building permit for some types of work:

interventions that do not alter the urban planning parameters and volumes;
interventions that do not modify the intended use and building category;
interventions that leave the appearance of the property unchanged if it is bound by the Legislative Decree of 22 January 2004, no. 42;
interventions that comply with the requirements contained in the building permit.

In case of doubt, especially when the permits seem to overlap, consulting a surveyor can be essential to avoid annoying setbacks. After all, knowing the legal requirements to be respected is the best way to renovate your home without stress.

Super-DIA

The bureaucratic reorganization promoted by the government in recent decades has significantly simplified building procedures. On the other hand, at times, it has allowed very similar regulations to coexist. This is the case of the Super-DIA. In fact, the difference between DIA, SCIA, and CILA is practically non-existent, except for the greater practicality of the last two enabling titles.

Is it still appropriate to talk about the Super-DIA, then? Yes, at least because it hasn't disappeared from regulatory texts, so it's good to know about it. Since building procedures are regulated at a regional level, many municipalities still accept the Super-DIA, especially as a replacement of the building permit.

Necessary for all renovation projects that can modify the structure of the property, such as changes in volume, shape, surface area, and an increase in the number of units. When good organization of domestic spaces is no longer enough to improve the livability of the rooms, here is a valid solution. Just be careful to respect the bureaucratic deadlines: make sure you submit the complete documentation at least 30 days before the start of the work.

Building Permit

In the case of very significant interventions - such as building a house from the foundations - the correct authorization is the building permit. According to articles 10 to 20 of Presidential Decree 380/2001, this document concerns works intended to modify the urban structure of the city in full compliance with current regulations and the regulatory plan. Specifically, it includes new construction and urban renovation works, but the concrete examples do not end here. We can also include in the list works to increase the floor area, the change of use of a property and in general all the transformation interventions included in building renovation.

Unlike CIL, CILA, SCIA and DIA, the building permit authorization procedure is slower and the Municipality itself requires extensive documentation. In fact, you must present the title of legitimacy, a technical report signed by a certified professional, the design documents and the certification of compliance with urban planning, building, health and safety regulations.

Now that you know more about renovation permits, you have everything you need to make your dreams come true. Start by taking a look at the listings on the Casavo platform: the journey to your home starts here!

Building permits: what are the differences between building permits?

CIL, CILA, and SCIA: What are the differences and when are they needed?