Types of works: what each one means

Most works cases state the kind of work: a new building, an extension to an existing one, a subdivision into lots. The names come from the law — Portugal's urban development and building code (RJUE) — and here we explain each one in plain words.

• Building works (unspecified)

  The law calls «edificação» any construction, reconstruction, extension, alteration or upkeep of a building. When the council records only «Edificação», the case can be any of them — at some councils, also legalising what already stands. We do not guess: we show the term as the council publishes it.

  In the law: «Edificação», RJUE art. 2.º, al. a)

  Cases of this type in our data: 2 248

• New construction

  Construction works create a new building. If a building stood on the site and is demolished and rebuilt so that the structure of its façades is restored, the law calls it reconstruction; if an existing building grows, it is an extension.

  In the law: «Obras de construção», RJUE art. 2.º, al. b)

  Cases of this type in our data: 2 777

• Reconstruction

  Reconstruction always starts from an existing building: it is demolished, fully or partly, and built again so that the structure of the façades is restored. That is the law's test — without restoring the façades, the works are a demolition followed by new construction.

  In the law: «Obras de reconstrução», RJUE art. 2.º, al. c)

  Cases of this type in our data: 173

• Alteration

  Alteration changes the physical features of an existing building or unit: the load-bearing structure, the number of homes or rooms, the exterior materials and colour. Floor area, footprint and façade height stay the same — if any of them grows, the works are an extension.

  In the law: «Obras de alteração», RJUE art. 2.º, al. d)

  Cases of this type in our data: 6 233

• Extension

  An extension enlarges a building that already exists: its footprint, total floor area, façade height or volume. That is the difference from alteration, which changes a building without enlarging it.

  In the law: «Obras de ampliação», RJUE art. 2.º, al. e)

  Cases of this type in our data: 4 487

• Upkeep (conservation)

  Conservation works keep a building in the condition it had when it was built or last altered — restoration, repair, cleaning. They add no area and do not change the building.

  In the law: «Obras de conservação», RJUE art. 2.º, al. f)

  Cases of this type in our data: 0

• Demolition

  Demolition destroys an existing building, fully or partly. When the council records «demolition and construction», the case covers both: the old building goes and a new one goes up.

  In the law: «Obras de demolição», RJUE art. 2.º, al. g)

  Cases of this type in our data: 297

• Infrastructure works

  Infrastructure works («obras de urbanização») create or rework what serves the area and its buildings: streets and pavements, water, sewer, power, gas and telecom networks, green and shared spaces. They usually come with a subdivision into lots.

  In the law: «Obras de urbanização», RJUE art. 2.º, al. h)

  Cases of this type in our data: 337

• Subdivision into lots

  A subdivision («loteamento») creates one or more building lots by dividing one or several plots or re-parcelling them. The subdivision itself puts up no building; building on the lots is separate works.

  In the law: «Operações de loteamento», RJUE art. 2.º, al. i)

  Cases of this type in our data: 355

• Land reshaping

  Land reshaping works remove the plant cover, change the natural relief and topsoil or fell large trees, for purposes that are not solely farming, livestock, forestry or mining, and that fit none of the other categories.

  In the law: «Trabalhos de remodelação dos terrenos», RJUE art. 2.º, al. m)

  Cases of this type in our data: 0

• Completing unfinished works

  When works have reached an advanced stage but the licence or prior communication has lapsed, the law allows a special licence to finish them, provided demolition is not advisable. Part of the building already stands; the case is about finishing it.

  In the law: «Obras inacabadas», RJUE art. 88.º

  Cases of this type in our data: 62

Count as of 05.10.2026, over the cases published on the site (last five years, with a location). A case naming two types counts under both. Cases with no type identified: 3 010. For those the council records only the procedure (for example, a prior information request) or a term we do not match to a type in the law; we show the council's term, without an explanation.

Which procedure applies — licence, prior communication or exemption — is governed by articles 4, 6 and 6-A of the same code (see the source below).

Source: Regime Jurídico da Urbanização e Edificação (DL 555/99), artigos 2.º e 88.º, checked on 01.10.2026.

Stages of a case

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