Simplified Interior Renovation in Taoyuan: Eligibility and Practical Steps

“Designer Wang, my friend in Taipei said it took three months just to get approval for moving a wall in their home, and they even needed an architect’s stamp!” Mr. Chen, who recently purchased a 10th-floor residence in Taoyuan’s Zhongli District, anxiously reviewed the design plans. “Our home isn’t changing the layout, but we’re redoing the ceiling and flooring. Will it be this complicated?”

Designer Wang smiled and shook his head, pulling up the Taoyuan City Government’s regulatory explanation. “Mr. Chen, this is Taoyuan’s ‘practical SOP.’ Your project fully qualifies for ‘Simplified Interior Renovation.’ In Taoyuan, these types of projects don’t require an architect; our licensed interior design firms can handle the certification and online processing, which is much faster than ‘Standard Interior Renovation.’”

The stark contrast between these two scenarios is precisely the convenient path the Taoyuan City Government has paved for numerous “low-risk” renovation projects. Unlike the stringent standards in Taipei and New Taipei City, “Simplified Interior Renovation in Taoyuan” has its own unique “Eligibility Criteria” and “Practical SOP.” This article will delve into this “fast-track” regulation, exploring how it strikes the optimal balance between legality and efficiency.

The Challenge of “Simplified Renovation”: Why “Northern Taiwan Experience” Doesn’t Fit Taoyuan’s Eligibility?

The biggest hurdle when applying for interior renovation permits in Taoyuan often stems from misjudgments based on “past experiences.” Whether applying Taipei’s “overly cautious” standards or New Taipei’s “hope-for-the-best, no-application-needed” mentality, you’ll hit a wall with Taoyuan’s pragmatic SOP.

The Paradox of “Taipei Standards”: When “Partition Wall” Phobia Meets the “Taoyuan SOP”

The blind spot in the old model is that designers often bring their “Taipei standards” to practice in Taoyuan. In Taipei, any alteration to a “partition wall” (internal partitions), regardless of cost, is automatically escalated to “Standard Interior Renovation” for strict review. However, in Taoyuan, the “Simplified Interior Renovation” SOP offers more explicit flexibility. Taoyuan’s regulatory red line isn’t just about “making a cut”; it’s based on whether “two or more new living spaces are added” or “a bathroom is newly installed” as the trigger for escalation. If it’s simply a “relocation” of a wall without increasing the number of rooms, it can still be discussed within the scope of simplified renovation, showcasing the flexibility of Taoyuan’s practical SOP.

The Pitfall of “New Taipei Experience”: When “No Application Needed Below the 5th Floor” Meets “Reporting Risks”

Another extreme is applying the “New Taipei experience,” assuming that “below the 5th floor and no change in layout” equates to “no application needed.” In Taoyuan, while the central government’s “no application needed” standards exist, this is a high-risk gray area. Taoyuan’s “Simplified Interior Renovation” SOP was specifically created to replace this legal risk of “no application.” The professional practice is that instead of gambling on a future where you “won’t be reported,” it’s more prudent to spend a reasonable cost to apply for “Simplified Interior Renovation” and obtain the “permit,” a true safeguard, which is the safest and most efficient approach.

How “Taoyuan Simplified Renovation” Rewrites the Rules: The Roles of “Tiered Red Lines” and “Pragmatic Review”

To master Taoyuan’s “fast-track” techniques, you must precisely understand the “eligibility criteria” for “Simplified Interior Renovation.” The Taoyuan City Government’s rules are clear: they use “floor level,” “building use,” “area,” and “construction content” as four key metrics to identify low-risk sites and provide a fast-track.

New Core Elements: 3 Key Eligibility Criteria for “Simplified Renovation”

You must meet ALL of the following conditions simultaneously to be an ideal candidate for “Simplified Interior Renovation”:

• Eligibility 1: Building Use and Floor Level. The building must be for “non-public use” (most commonly H-2 residential). It must also be located in a “non-high-rise building,” practically meaning projects in buildings with a total of **15 floors or fewer** (including the 15th).
• Eligibility 2: Renovation Area. The floor area for this renovation must be **500 square meters (approximately 151 pings) or less**.
• Eligibility 3: Licensed Interior Renovation Professional. The application must be submitted by a “legally registered” interior renovation company.

(*Note: If your project is on the 16th floor or higher, is for “public use,” or exceeds 151 pings, it will be classified as “Standard Interior Renovation” and requires certification by a licensed architect.*)

Key Red Lines: 3 Construction Activities “Simplified Interior Renovation” Absolutely Cannot Involve

Having the basic ticket isn’t enough; your “construction content” must be low-risk. If you cross any of the following “red lines,” you will immediately lose your eligibility for “Simplified Interior Renovation” and be reverted to “Standard Interior Renovation”:

• Red Line 1: Adding Multiple Living Spaces. You cannot “add 2 or more” living spaces (bedrooms, studies, etc.).
• Red Line 2: Adding Bathrooms/Kitchens. You cannot “add” or “alter” any bathrooms or kitchens.
• Red Line 3: Altering Main Structures. The work must not involve “altering partition walls,” “altering fire compartmentation,” or “altering floor slabs.”

Simply put, “Simplified Interior Renovation” is designed specifically for residential projects that involve “no layout changes” and are purely for aesthetic enhancements.

Beyond “Paper Submissions”: Mastering 3 Practical Tips for “Taoyuan Simplified Renovation”

Once you’ve confirmed you 100% meet the “eligibility criteria” above, congratulations, you’re on the fast track. Now, mastering these 3 “practical tips” will make your process smoother.

Practical Tip 1: Hire a “Licensed Interior Renovation Professional,” Not an Architect

This is the biggest convenience benefit of Taoyuan’s “Simplified Interior Renovation” SOP. The eligibility criteria clearly stipulate that applications must be submitted by a “legally registered interior renovation professional.” This means homeowners do not need to hire a separate “licensed architect” for certification, as required for “Standard Interior Renovation.”
The advantages of this “practical” tip are:

• One-Stop Service: Your contractor (as long as they have a legal registration certificate) can directly submit the application, consolidating responsibility.
• Reduced Costs: You save on the additional fees for architect certification.

Therefore, when looking for a renovation contractor in Taoyuan, the primary “practical” step is to confirm they possess an “Interior Renovation Business Registration Certificate.”

Practical Tip 2: Use the “Online System,” Not “Paper Documents”

Taoyuan City’s interior renovation permit SOP has fully integrated the “National Building Management System” for online applications. Professional contractors will upload scanned documents, and the case will first be sent to the “Taoyuan Architects Association” for joint review. Once approved by the association, it’s sent back to the City Government’s Building Administration Department for issuance.

The advantages of this “practical” tip are:

• Transparent Progress: You can check the case status online anytime, avoiding the anxiety of traditional mail delays.
• Quick Document Submission: If any documents are missing, they can be submitted online, which is much faster than paper exchanges.

Practical Tip 3: Prepare a “Pragmatic” Document Package

The review “practice” for Taoyuan’s “Simplified Interior Renovation” focuses on being “pragmatic” rather than “complex.” Unlike Taipei City, which strictly reviews “60% green building materials,” Taoyuan maintains strict requirements for basic “fire safety” and “fire resistance.”
Here is our compiled “Taoyuan Simplified Renovation Practical Checklist” to help you fast-track:

• Verification Dimension: Building Conditions
  • Eligibility (Must Meet): H-2 Residential, 15 floors or less, Area < 500m²
  • Construction Red Lines (Must Not Violate): (N/A)
  • Key Documents (Required): Use Permit (to prove use and floor level), Building Registration Transcript
• Verification Dimension: Construction Content
  • Eligibility (Must Meet): (N/A)
  • Construction Red Lines (Must Not Violate): Adding 2+ living spaces, Adding/Altering bathrooms/kitchens, Altering partition walls/floor slabs
  • Key Documents (Required): Current Condition Drawings, Floor Plan Layout, Ceiling Plan (must overlay fire equipment)
• Verification Dimension: Certifying Unit
  • Eligibility (Must Meet): Commission a “Licensed Interior Renovation Professional”
  • Construction Red Lines (Must Not Violate): (N/A)
  • Key Documents (Required): Interior Renovation Business Registration Certificate, Application Form & Certification Sheet
• Verification Dimension: Application Process
  • Eligibility (Must Meet): (N/A)
  • Construction Red Lines (Must Not Violate): (N/A)
  • Key Documents (Required): Apply online via the “National Building Management System”

The Future of “Taoyuan Simplified Renovation”: A Choice Between “Efficiency” and “Legal Protection”

Taoyuan City’s “Simplified Interior Renovation” SOP represents the local government’s best effort to balance “regulatory safety” with “convenience and efficiency.” It precisely offers a legal, low-cost, and highly efficient “fast-track” path for the vast majority of “low-risk” residential renovation projects.

Will you choose to continue with the status quo, gambling on the legal risks of “no application needed,” exposing yourself to the threat of being reported and ordered to halt construction? Or will you embrace this “convenient” regulation, spend a reasonable cost, and obtain a secure, legal “permit” for your home through the “Simplified Interior Renovation” SOP? Ultimately, this is a choice between “chance” and “protection.”