A friggebod is a small building which is possible to build without a permit.
Usually, you need a permit from the local municipality in order to erect any buildings, even if you already own the land you plan to build on.
But an exception for small sheds or outhouses (friggebod) was introduced in 1979, as long as the friggebod was on a plot of land with one or two existing residential buildings, and was built at least 4.5 metres from the boundary with any neighbouring land.
The name comes from Sweden's former Housing Minister Birgit Friggebo, who was one of the key figures behind the regulation being first introduced.
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Initially, the size limit for a friggebod was just ten square metres, but this was increased to 15 square metres in 2008. They may be no more than three metres high.
Friggebod is a portmanteau of Friggebo's name and the term bod, which is roughly translated as "shed" but typically refers to a building used for more than only storage. A friggebod might be used as a hobby or workroom, a separate room for entertaining, or even a tiny guest bedroom.
In 2014, the size of a building you're allowed to build without planning permission was increased to 25 and later 30 square metres. Such a building is known as an attefallshus (Attefall house), named after the housing minister at the time, Stefan Attefall.
The term attefallshus is however mainly used administratively or in construction ads when talking about the specifics of the building. It hasn't yet become part of the Swedish vernacular in the same way as friggebod has.
Example sentences:
Vi ska bygga en friggebod vid vår sommarstuga.
We're going to build an outbuilding by our summer cottage.
Man kan använda en friggebod som gästhus, hobbyrum, eller en bastu.
You can use an outbuilding as a guesthouse, hobby room or a sauna.
Villa, Volvo, Vovve: The Local’s Word Guide to Swedish Life, written by The Local’s journalists, is available to order. Head to lysforlag.com/vvv to read more about it. It is also possible to buy your copy from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Bokus or Adlibris.
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