How to Approve Container Houses

Container houses require approval, and the approval process and key points are as follows:

Necessity of Approval

Container houses are a type of movable prefabricated house, built to provide temporary accommodation. When they occupy public spaces or involve business transactions, they fall under the category of buildings and must be declared for approval. Unauthorized construction without approval may be identified as illegal structures and face the risk of demolition.

Approval Process

1. Site Selection and Land Nature Confirmation
   First, visit the local land bureau to confirm the land nature of the site (e.g., whether it is construction land). After signing a land contract, the land bureau will plan the site.

2. Planning Filing and Approval
   With the planning-related documents issued by the land bureau, go to the local planning bureau to handle filing and approval procedures. For projects that align with national encouraging industrial policies, such as creative parks and cultural tourism homestays, the process can be simplified based on local government approvals (e.g., Shanghai's encouragement of secondary green modular applications of containers).

3. Temporary Building Approval
   Container houses are usually approved as temporary buildings, typically for a period of two years, which can be renewed for another two years upon expiration (the approval authority is usually the urban management bureau or land bureau). During approval, materials such as foundation design and structural safety must be submitted. Due to the diverse foundation requirements of their overall structure, the approval rate is relatively high.

4. Exemption in Special Cases
   If the land use right belongs to an individual and is within the red line, and conditions such as not disturbing residents and causing no pollution are met, approval may not be required. However, it should be noted that if the container house is used for business or occupies public space, the approval process must still be followed.

Precautions

• Impact of Usage and Location on Determination: Whether a container house is an illegal structure should be determined based on a combination of its usage (e.g., residence, business) and placement location (e.g., public areas, private yards). Those without planning approval procedures and land use certificates are considered illegal structures.
• Renovation Standards: If the container is renovated into a house (e.g., with water and electricity supply, doors and windows opened, and air conditioners installed), it should be treated as an illegal structure; containers stacked in public areas are identified as illegal occupation of public space.
• Regional Policy Differences: The approval process may vary due to regional policy adjustments. It is recommended to follow the requirements of local planning, land, and urban management departments.