Investment plot – what is it?
An investment plot is land designated for investment purposes. These plots are designated in zoning plans for potential investors. The main characteristic of investment plots is that they cannot be designated for residential development. However, they can be designated for industrial or warehouse buildings, retail facilities, offices, or other typically investment-oriented solutions. Investment plots are divided into two groups: service plots and industrial plots. More information about investment plots can be found here: https://www.nieruchomosci.orange.pl/blog/dzialka-inwestycyjna--co-to-znaczy .
Service plot – definition
A service plot is an area suitable for service development. Such plots are designated in spatial development plans (issued by municipalities) and designated with the letter U. A service plot can be designated for various service and commercial purposes. It can accommodate an office, a restaurant, a shop, etc. The definition of a service plot may vary, depending on local regulations and spatial development plans. This means that the area of such a plot can be adapted to the needs of business and commercial activities, in accordance with specific regulations.
What can be built on a commercial plot?
A commercial plot can be developed in accordance with the designation assigned to it in the local development plan. What can be built on a commercial plot? What do the different designations mean?
- U – plots designated for commercial and service activities (e.g. grocery stores, clothing stores, drugstores, hairdressing salons, beauty salons, catering establishments)
- UP – plots for public services (e.g. schools, offices)
- UZ – plots for health services (e.g. clinics, outpatient clinics, hospitals)
- UK – spaces for religious worship
- US – plots for sports and recreational activities (e.g. sports fields, sports halls, tennis courts, golf courses)
- UC – plots designated for commercial services (commercial facilities over 2,000 m2)
- Can a house be built on a service or investment plot?
Typically, service or investment plots are designated for commercial or industrial development, not residential use. Local laws and zoning plans should be consulted to determine what types of buildings are permitted on specific plots.
Service plots are usually designated for various types of commercial, office, restaurant, educational, etc. Investment plots, on the other hand, may include areas designated for various forms of investment, but are usually not intended for the construction of private residential homes.
Can a house be built on a development plot? Theoretically, it's possible. However, a request for a change of land use would need to be submitted to the municipal office. It's worth remembering, however, that this is a time-consuming procedure that isn't always successful.
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FAQs:
How to check whether a plot is for services or investment?
To determine whether a plot is intended for services or investment, its detailed designation should be verified in the Local Spatial Development Plan (MPZP), available at the municipal office. It is in this document that municipalities designate areas for investors, specifying whether the land falls into a broad investment category and then specifying whether it is intended for strictly services or industrial use.
Where can I find U, UP, UZ designations in plot documents?
Information on where to find U, UP, or UZ designations in plot documents should be sought directly from the graphic and text sections of the Local Spatial Development Plan extract. These symbols not only specify what type of activity (e.g., public, healthcare, or commercial services above 2,000 m²) is permitted but also exclude other forms of activity within a given area.
Can a service plot be converted into a residential plot?
Theoretically, yes, but in practice, the process is complicated and fraught with rejection. This requires submitting an application to the municipal office for a change of land use, a lengthy procedure, as municipalities often prefer to preserve investment land for business development rather than private construction.
Does a service plot require different permits than a residential plot?
Whether a commercial plot requires different permits than a residential plot depends largely on the scale of the planned investment and its environmental impact. The construction process on such a plot must strictly comply with the requirements specified for the given activity in the development plan, and in the case of burdensome services (e.g., manufacturing, catering), additional environmental or sanitary permits may be necessary.
How to check whether a plot is for services, industrial or investment purposes?
We must remember that "investment plot" is an overarching concept encompassing both groups. The exact status and character of the land is verified by analyzing specific symbols in municipal plans, which distinguish lighter service developments (offices, shops) from heavier industrial and warehouse developments.
Can a service plot be divided into smaller plots for different functions?
The question of whether a service plot can be divided into smaller plots for different functions is strictly regulated by detailed provisions in the Local Spatial Development Plan. The possibility of geodetic division and combining different functions (e.g., retail services alongside healthcare) must comply with local regulations, which often specify the minimum area of a newly divided plot for a given type of service.
Does the purchase of a service plot require additional permits or agreements?
The purchase of a commercial plot typically does not require additional administrative permits at the notarial deed signing stage, unless it is located within a special zone. However, prior verification of the local spatial development plan (MPZP) is crucial, as subsequent land development will require obtaining a full set of building permits for structures strictly consistent with the investment designation (e.g., offices, halls, or clinics).
What utilities must be provided to start a service investment?
When analyzing the utilities required to launch a service investment, the specific needs of the specific business must be considered. Typically, access to electricity (often with higher connection power), water, and industrial sewage systems are required, which may differ significantly from the standards required for single-family homes.
