Capsule House Permit Process Get

The legal operation of capsule houses (such as capsule hotels and modular residential units) requires approval from multiple departments and strict compliance review.  Specific situations need to be adjusted according to relevant laws in each state. Please consult a legal advisor or firm.

1、 Preliminary planning and legal positioning

(1) Clearly define the purpose and legal classification

Usage definition

Short term hotel rental: applicable to tourist cities such as Tokyo, Japan and Paris, France, and requires the application of a Hotel Business License.

Long term rental apartments: must comply with residential regulations (such as the United States' Uniform Housing Standards), and some countries require separate bathrooms (such as Germany).

Mixed use: Combining office and accommodation (such as in the CBD area of Singapore), a mixed use permit is required.

Legal positioning:

Temporary sleeping quarters: Avoid minimum area restrictions (such as the US IBC requirement of ≥ 6.5 square meters), but must pass public area safety reviews.

Micro residential units: EU countries are required to comply with the Technical Standards for Micro Residential Units (such as Logement Modeste in France).

(2) Land compliance verification

Zoning planning:

Business district (C-2/ZH): Capsule hotels are allowed (such as SoMa district in San Francisco, USA).

Residential mixed use areas (RMX): require community hearing approval (such as London, UK).

Special areas: Industrial zone renovation requires applying for a temporary use permit (such as exemption from land restrictions in Dubai Free Zone).

Proof of Land Ownership: Provide the land use right or lease agreement (notarized in Asian countries).

2、 Core Code for Architectural Design

(1) Space and Structural Design

Minimum area and floor height:

Europe and America: Single rooms ≥ 6.5 square meters, floor height ≥ 2.3 meters (according to IBC standards in the United States).

Japan: Capsule cabin height ≥ 1.2 meters, area ≥ 4.5 square meters (Hotel Industry Law).

Modular structure:

Stacking design: requires static load testing (such as ASCE 7-22 standard in the United States).

Connection method: Bolt connection or welding must comply with ISO 898-1 mechanical performance standards.

Escape route:

The width of the main channel is ≥ 0.9 meters, and the width of the secondary channel is ≥ 0.6 meters (according to the EU EN 14383 standard).

The distance between emergency exits is ≤ 30 meters (NFPA 101 in the United States).

(2) Functional zoning and facility configuration

Sanitary facilities:

Short term rental: 1 shower room and 2 bathrooms for every 10 people (according to US Department of Health standards).

Long term rental: Each unit requires an independent bathroom (German Housing Regulations).

Public areas:

At least 20% of the area should be used for evacuation and firefighting equipment (such as fire extinguishers, emergency boxes).

The kitchen area needs to be equipped with automatic fire extinguishing devices (such as Australian AS 1670 standard).

(3) Material selection

Fireproof materials:

Cabin: UL 94 V-0 grade (USA) or EN 13501 B-S1, d0 grade (EU).

Partition wall: Gypsum board ≥ 12.7mm (ASTM C36 standard in the United States).

Environmentally friendly materials:

The EU mandates the use of low VOC coatings (VOC ≤ 30g/L, in compliance with EC 1907/2006).

Singapore requires Green Mark certification materials.

3、 Step by step process for license application

(1) Building Permit

Application materials:

Design drawings: signed by a registered architect, including floor plans, elevations, sections, and escape routes.

Structural calculation sheet: Load bearing analysis signed by the engineer (such as ASCE 7 in the United States or Eurocode in the European Union).

Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Noise and Wastewater Treatment Plan (required by some countries).

Review process:

Pre review meeting: Communicate with local planning departments on design compliance (it is recommended to make an appointment 2 months in advance).

Publicity period: Some countries require publicity for 10-30 days (such as Germany and Japan).

Modification and Review: Common modifications include the width of escape routes and the proportion of sanitary facilities.

Duration: 3-6 months (Europe and America), 6-12 months (Asia).

(2) Fire Safety Approval

Core requirements:

Automatic sprinkler system: Mandatory installation in high-rise buildings (≥ 4 floors) (NFPA 13 standard in the United States).

Smoke detector: independently installed in each cabin, with one detector per 200 square meters in public areas (EU EN 54-7).

Emergency lighting: brightness ≥ 1 lux, continuous power supply ≥ 1 hour (UK BS 5266).

File submission:

Fire test report: third-party laboratory certification for cabin materials (such as UL or T Ü V).

Evacuation simulation: Use Pathfinder or similar software to verify the evacuation of all personnel within 90 seconds.

On site inspection:

United States: Local Fire Marshals issue Fire Clearance Certificates.

EU: Certified by T Ü V or BRE Global.

(3) Health and Public Health Permit

Water quality and drainage:

Drinking water testing: Complies with EPA 816-F-09-004 (USA) or EU 98/83/EC.

Sewage treatment: municipal pipeline network access permit or self built septic tank design (in rural areas).

Ventilation system:

Ventilation rate ≥ 6 times/hour (German DIN 1946).

The air conditioning system requires a regular cleaning certificate (such as Australian AS 3666).

Garbage disposal:

Provide a contract with a certified shipping company (a common requirement in Asian countries).

(4) Special permission

Accessibility Facilities (ADA/EN 17210):

At least 10% of the unit entrances have a width of ≥ 0.8 meters and are equipped with emergency call buttons.

Wheelchair turning space in public areas ≥ 1.5m × 1.5m (ADAAG standard in the United States).

Noise control:

Wall sound insulation ≥ 45 decibels (ASTM E90 in the United States).

Nighttime noise ≤ 40 decibels (EU Directive 2002/49/EC).

Cultural Compliance:

Saudi Arabia: Male and female zones, entrance spacing ≥ 50 meters.

Malaysia: Halal Certification.

4、 Global operational differences and response strategies

(1) Europe and America

U.S.A:

Key points: ADA accessibility, fire sprinkler system (cost approximately $20/㎡).

Case: Arlo Hotel in New York compressed approval time to 5 months through modular design.

european union:

Key points: BREEAM/LEED certification, reserved 20% of social housing units (such as Berlin).

Avoiding pitfalls: Avoid using plywood containing formaldehyde (restricted by REACH regulations).

(2) Asian region

Japan:

Simple accommodation: Approval cycle is 4 months, and a "Fire Protection Plan Approval Form" needs to be submitted.

Case: Tokyo's "9H" capsule hotel adopts standardized modules and passes rapid review.

China:

Special Industry License: Reviewed by the Public Security Department (with a focus on preventing the definition of "group rental housing").

Countermeasure: Apply under the name of "Talent Apartment" (such as Nanshan District, Shenzhen).

(3) Middle East region

The United Arab Emirates:

Free zone policy: Foreign investment projects are exempt from land use restrictions, with an approval period of 3 months.

Case: Dubai's "Sleep n Fly" airport capsule hotel quickly landed through pre certification module.

Saudi Arabia:

Gender segregation: Female areas should be managed by female employees, and the monitoring system should be independently wired.

5、 Cost and Time Optimization Strategy

(1) Modular pre authentication design

Advantages: Reduce review time by 70% and lower costs by 15-20%.

Recommended manufacturer:

United States: Blu Homes (certified by UL for fire protection).

EU: Algeco (CE certified detachable module).

(2) Application of digital tools

BIM modeling: Autodesk Revit simulates fire evacuation and structural load-bearing.

Online approval: Singapore's "CortPass" platform provides one-stop submission of applications from multiple departments.

(3) Location selection for policy dividend zones

Recommended regions:

Osaka, Japan (approved for simple accommodation for 3 months).

Dubai Free Zone (exempt from corporate income tax, with 100% foreign ownership).