How to Check Building Permits in Israel

A building permit (heiter bniya) is official approval from the local municipality to construct, demolish, renovate, or add floors to a building. Every construction project — including adding a floor on a neighbor's roof — requires one.

For buyers, nearby permits are critical intelligence: a tower being built across the street means 2-3 years of construction noise, dust, and truck traffic. A 20-story building planned next to your 4th-floor apartment can block your sea view permanently.

Most buyers don't check. The information is available but scattered across municipal databases with inconsistent formats. This is exactly the problem Schuna solves.

Height (number of floors): a 4-story addition to the building next door is different from a 25-story new construction. The permitted height determines the impact on your view, sunlight, and privacy.

Type of permit: new construction, floor additions, renovation, or demolition? New construction and additions have the biggest impact. Renovations are typically shorter and less disruptive.

Status: "betokef" (valid/active) and "bevitzu'a" (under construction) are different. A valid permit that hasn't started construction may sit for 1-2 years. A permit under construction means noise is imminent.

Date issued: permits older than 5 years that haven't started construction may be frozen or near expiration. Recent permits are more likely to proceed.

One of the most common buyer mistakes: purchasing an apartment with a nice view overlooking an empty lot, assuming it will stay empty. In urban Israel, every empty lot is a potential construction site.

Before buying: check the lot's statutory designation (ta'udit) through the municipal master plan (taba). This determines what can be built there and how tall. A lot designated for 20-story residential will eventually be developed.

Schuna shows active building permits within 200 meters of any address. But for pre-permit planning zones, also check the National Planning Administration (mavat.iplan.gov.il).

Tel Aviv: the city's open data portal (opendata.tel-aviv.gov.il) publishes all permits. But navigating it requires searching by block/parcel numbers and interpreting status codes.

Other cities: Jerusalem, Haifa, Ramat Gan — each has a different system. Some publish open data, others require filing a request. Coverage is inconsistent.

Schuna: search any address in supported cities and see all building permits within 200 meters displayed on a map. Each permit shows height, type, status, and date. No technical knowledge required.

If an apartment you're considering has active permits nearby, factor in: (1) construction disruption for 2-4 years, (2) potential loss of view or sunlight, (3) possible increase in neighborhood density and traffic.

Conversely, permits for infrastructure improvements — metro stations, parks, schools — can increase property value. Not all construction is bad news.

The key is making an informed decision. An apartment next to active construction might be a great deal if the price reflects the temporary disruption. But you need to know about it before signing.