Preliminary Information Request: The essential consultation before purchasing land
- Ana Carolina Santos
- Nov 16
- 5 min read
You’ve found the ideal plot to build your dream home or develop a real estate project and are about to sign the purchase contract? Before moving forward with a decision—and an investment that may represent a significant portion of your assets—there is a crucial step that can help prevent irreparable losses and ensure that the land truly has the construction potential you imagine: the Preliminary Information Request (PIP). Thousands of property owners discover too late that the land they acquired is subject to restrictions that make their project impossible, that the urban parameters are far lower than expected, or that legal easements and limitations severely reduce buildability. Avoiding such unpleasant surprises—and the financial and emotional damage they can bring—is within reach of any potential buyer through a simple, fast, and legally binding instrument: the PIP.
This article clearly explains what the Preliminary Information Request is, what it is for, when it should be requested, what information it provides, its main advantages, and how it can be decisive in the land-purchasing process.
What is the Preliminary Information Request (PIP)?
The Preliminary Information Request (PIP) is an optional and independent procedure regulated by Articles 14–17 of the Legal Framework for Urbanisation and Building (RJUE). It allows any interested party—even those who are not property owners—to obtain information on the feasibility of carrying out a particular urban operation and the legal and regulatory constraints that apply.
Main features of the PIP:
Optional: Highly recommended but not mandatory.
Autonomous: Does not require subsequent submission for licensing or prior communication.
Binding: The response from the Municipality is legally binding for future licensing requests, provided the project remains unchanged.
Validity: A favourable PIP is valid for two years and renewable for one more.
Accessible: Can be submitted by any interested party; non-owners are allowed to apply, in which case the Municipality notifies the landowner.
What is the purpose of a PIP?
The PIP serves multiple purposes vital for informed decision‑making before purchasing land or developing a project:
Assess construction feasibility – Confirms if it is possible to build, what type of uses are permitted, and provides key urban parameters such as floor area, height, and setbacks.
Identify restrictions and easements – Reveals public easements, heritage protection zones, ecological reserves (REN), agricultural reserves (RAN), and related limitations.
Provide urban indices – Details building density, maximum façade height, number of floors, and setback distances.
Define applicable procedures – Indicates whether the project requires licensing, prior communication, or exemption from approval.
Estimate urban charges – May include an estimate of municipal fees or compensations.
Support negotiation – A favourable PIP enhances land value and strengthens buyer confidence.
When should you request a PIP?
Before purchasing land:
This is the most strategic time to request it. Validate feasibility before signing any contract.
Make the purchase conditional upon a favourable PIP.
Negotiate with the seller to share or cover submission costs.
Avoid relying solely on verbal assurances—only the PIP provides binding validation.
Before architectural design
Ensures that the architect develops a viable, regulation‑compliant concept, avoiding unnecessary revisions.
For inheritance or property assessments
Helps determine real asset value based on buildable potential.
For property sales:
A favourable PIP enhances credibility and supports higher pricing.
How does the PIP process work?
Viability study – The applicant or architect prepares a preliminary design, including plot survey, volumetric study, site plans, drawings, and written description.
Submission – The PIP is filed through the local council’s digital platform with the study, identification documents, and fee payment proof.
Municipal analysis – The Municipality evaluates the proposal in light of planning regulations and applicable laws.
Standard response: within 30 days (extendable once for the same period).
Decision – May be favourable (binding for 2 years), conditional, or unfavourable.
Use in later licensing – A favourable PIP binds future municipal evaluations if the proposal remains unchanged.
Benefits of requesting a PIP before purchase
Legal security and risk reduction. Ensures the plot can accommodate the intended construction.
Informed decision‑making. Gives clarity about what can realistically be built.
Stronger negotiation. Empowers you with evidence‑based data.
Cost and time savings. Prevents investment in non‑buildable land or incompatible projects.
Administrative predictability. A favourable PIP binds municipal authorities to its approved terms.
Faster subsequent licensing. Detail‑rich PIPs streamline or sometimes replace later licensing steps.
Common situations where a PIP is essential
Rural plots: Construction may be heavily restricted or prohibited.
Transitional urban‑rural areas: May include specific planning conditions.
Irregular topography: Slopes and uneven terrain may impose design limits.
Proximity to rivers, coastlines, or protected zones: Subject to REN or RAN restrictions.
Historic centres: Require heritage‑sensitive solutions.
Plots outside subdivision plans: The PIP clarifies applicable building parameters.
Additional checks beyond the PIP
Even with a PIP, verify:
Land registry certificate – Confirms ownership and any encumbrances.
Property tax record – Verifies area, classification, and assessed value.
Zoning under the Municipal Master Plan (PDM).
Infrastructure availability – Access to utilities and roads.
Legal access routes.
Geotechnical conditions.
Common mistakes when buying land without a PIP
Practical advice
For buyers:
For sellers:
For property owners planning to build:
Request a PIP before design development.
Use it to support financing applications—banks view it as proof of feasibility.
Final considerations
Purchasing land is a major investment and often a life‑defining step. However, this seemingly simple decision can involve complex legal and technical implications. Buying without verifying official development conditions, easements, or construction potential exposes buyers to unnecessary risk.
The Preliminary Information Request is a straightforward, low‑cost, and legally binding tool that provides certainty and transparency. The difference between buying “blindly” and buying after receiving a favourable PIP is the difference between risk and confidence, doubt and clarity, poor judgment and well‑founded investment. Urban planning regulations are complex and highly specific to each location; what applies to one plot may not apply to another. Investing a few hundred euros and a few weeks in a PIP can save thousands later—and, more importantly, ensure that your future investment proceeds safely, knowledgeably, and confidently.
Do you intend to purchase land and need to validate its construction feasibility through a Preliminary Information Request?
AC-Arquitetos is available to assist you throughout the entire process—from the preliminary analysis of the land’s characteristics and urban planning context to the preparation of detailed feasibility studies and the submission and follow-up of the PIP with the Municipal Council. With extensive experience in preliminary information processes, and in-depth knowledge of urban planning legislation and municipal regulations nationwide, we ensure you obtain the most comprehensive and binding information possible about the land’s construction potential, enabling you to make informed, safe, and profitable investment decisions. Contact us and rely on a team that transforms urban planning complexity into a clear, professional, and effective solution to ensure that the land you wish to acquire truly has the potential you are looking for.
