In brief

• The text explains what applications, decisions and notifications are contained in the public register of building permits.
• The register is available through the RWDZ search tool, but investors' personal data requires a separate request.
• The scope covers selected facilities and networks and only decisions of the first-instance authority.

What the register contains

The register of applications, decisions and notifications is a public database of building matters. Since 1 January 2016, general access has been provided by the publicly available RWDZ search tool, operated within the website of the Chief Office of Building Supervision (Główny Urząd Nadzoru Budowlanego) in Warsaw (Rejestr wniosków i decyzji o pozwoleniu na budowę - Gov.pl – gov.pl). It also includes selected networks: electricity networks with a rated voltage not exceeding 15 kV, water supply, sewage, heating and telecommunications networks.

In the part concerning decisions, the register contains only rulings issued by the competent first-instance authority. The register does not contain information on investments carried out on closed areas.

Who keeps the register and on what basis

The legal basis is Article 82b of the Building Law (Prawo budowlane) (Rejestr wniosków o pozwolenie na budowę i decyzji o pozwoleniu ... – bip.poznan.pl). The purpose of maintaining the register is to fulfil a statutory obligation. Access is subject to restrictions on publicity, because the register contains investors' personal data.

How to check an application or decision

The search tool works online at wyszukiwarka.gunb.gov.pl. Investors' personal data is not made available in this mode. An interested person may submit a request for access to the contents of the register, which is handled by the department maintaining the collection. County starosty describe public registers and lists on the pages of the Public Information Bulletin (BIP), where the starostwo is the data administrator, for example in Poznań (REJESTRY PUBLICZNE, INNE REJESTRY I WYKAZY – bip.powiat.poznan.pl).

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone check the register of building permits?

Yes. The RWDZ search tool is publicly available. However, investors' personal data is limited, and access to it requires a request.

Does the register cover all construction works?

No. It covers applications, decisions and selected notifications, but does not cover investments on closed areas. Notifications are limited to specific facilities and networks.

Does the register contain appeal decisions?

The register contains only rulings of the first-instance authority.

Where should I submit a request for access to data from the register?

The request is submitted to the department maintaining the register, i.e. the Department of Urban Planning and Architecture (Wydział Urbanistyki i Architektury), which issued the decision.