Container House Application Process

The application process for container houses involves site selection, planning, design, and the formulation of a complete plan, with different application requirements for different purposes. Details are as follows:

I. General Application Process

1. Site Selection: It is necessary to go to the land bureau to determine the land nature of the container house, clarify whether the land use meets the construction requirements, and sign a land contract. For example, if the land nature is basic farmland or an ecological protection zone, placing container houses is absolutely prohibited.
2. Planning: After the land bureau has planned the land, take the relevant planning documents to the local planning bureau to handle the filing and approval procedures. The planning should conform to the overall urban layout and land use planning.
3. Design: After the planning approval is obtained, design the planning drawings. The design should consider factors such as structural safety and living performance, including container body structure reinforcement, earthquake and wind resistance design, thermal insulation, etc.
4. Formulate a Complete Plan: Determine the construction plan. Once the plan is approved, construction can commence. The plan should include construction plans, safety measures, environmental protection requirements, etc.

II. Application Requirements for Different Purposes

1. Temporary Storage on Farmland/Roofs: If the ground is not hardened, no water and electricity are connected, only agricultural materials and tools are stored, and the size of a single container does not exceed a 20-foot standard container, approval may generally be waived. However, it should be noted that policies may vary in different regions. For example, new regulations in a certain province in 2025 require that container houses in fields must go through temporary building filing procedures.
2. Commercial Purposes (Homestays, Shops): Necessary procedures include land use approval, planning filing, and fire safety permits. When selecting land, priority should be given to commercial/cultural and tourism land, and arable land protection zones should be avoided. Structural safety should comply with the "Technical Specification for Modular Combined Container Houses" (CECS 334:2013).
3. Residential Use: It is necessary to apply as a formal building, obtain a construction permit, with a height limit of no more than 6 floors and a total height of ≤24 meters.