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Legal Building Use Agreement

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LEGAL BUILDING USE AGREEMENT

This Building Use Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of between Owner: , an entity of type with principal address ; and User: , an entity of type with principal address .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Owner is the legal owner of the building and premises located at (the “Premises”); and

WHEREAS, User desires to obtain a license to use designated portions of the Premises for the purpose of ; and

WHEREAS, Owner is willing to permit such use on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE

In consideration of the mutual covenants herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. GRANT OF LICENSE

1.1 License. Owner grants to User a non-exclusive, revocable license to use the following portion(s) of the Premises: (the “Licensed Area”), solely for the Permitted Use defined in Section 2 and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

1.2 No Estate. This Agreement confers only a license and is not intended to create, and shall not be construed as creating, any lease, easement, or other estate in the Premises.

2. TERM

2.1 Term. The term of this Agreement commences on and terminates on , unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

2.2 Holdover. Any holdover by User without Owner’s written consent shall be subject to immediate termination and liability for reasonable costs and damages incurred by Owner.

3. PERMITTED USE AND RESTRICTIONS

3.1 Permitted Use. User may use the Licensed Area only for the following purpose:

3.2 Use Restrictions. User shall not use the Licensed Area for any unlawful purpose, shall not permit hazardous materials to be stored or used on the Premises except as expressly authorized in writing by Owner, shall not cause any nuisance, and shall comply with the security and access rules provided by Owner.

3.3 Hours of Use. Regular hours of permitted use are: . Any use outside these hours requires prior written approval by Owner.

4. FEES AND PAYMENT

4.1 Use Fee. User shall pay Owner a fee in the amount of $ per , payable in advance on the first day of each period.

4.2 Security Deposit. User shall deliver a security deposit of $ to secure performance under this Agreement. Owner may apply such deposit to cure defaults or repair damage caused by User.

5. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS

5.1 User Obligations. User shall keep the Licensed Area in a clean and safe condition and shall promptly notify Owner of any damage. User shall not make structural alterations to the Premises without Owner’s prior written consent.

5.2 Owner Obligations. Owner shall maintain the building structural systems and common areas, provided that Owner shall not be liable for interruptions to utilities or services caused by circumstances beyond Owner’s control.

6. INSURANCE AND LIABILITY

6.1 Insurance. User shall obtain and maintain, at its expense, commercial general liability insurance with limits not less than $ per occurrence, naming Owner as an additional insured where applicable. Evidence of such insurance shall be delivered to Owner prior to the commencement of the Term.

6.2 Liability. Except to the extent caused by Owner’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, User assumes all risk of loss or injury arising from its use of the Licensed Area. Owner shall not be liable for loss of business, consequential damages, or loss of use by User.

7. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW; PERMITS

User shall, at its expense, comply with all applicable statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations and codes of governmental authorities relating to the use of the Licensed Area and shall obtain all permits, licenses, and approvals required for the Permitted Use.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

User shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Owner, its agents, employees and contractors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to User’s use of the Licensed Area, except to the extent caused by Owner’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

9. TERMINATION

9.1 Termination for Cause. Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice if the other party materially breaches any provision and fails to cure such breach within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice.

9.2 Immediate Termination. Owner may immediately terminate this Agreement if User’s use creates an imminent threat to health, safety, or the structural integrity of the Premises.

10. KEYS, ACCESS, AND SECURITY

Owner shall provide User with keys or access credentials as reasonably necessary for the Permitted Use. User shall not duplicate keys or tamper with security systems. Upon termination, User shall return all keys and access devices.

11. ASSIGNMENT

User shall not assign, sublicense or delegate its rights or obligations under this Agreement without Owner’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

12. INSPECTION

Owner or Owner’s agents may enter the Licensed Area at reasonable times to inspect, make repairs, or show the Premises to prospective occupants, provided Owner uses reasonable efforts to minimize disruption to User’s activities.

13. NOTICES

All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed delivered when delivered personally, sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, or three (3) business days after deposit in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the parties at the following addresses:

14. AMENDMENT; WAIVER; COUNTERPARTS

14.1 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties.

14.2 Waiver. No waiver of any provision shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party waiving the right, and no waiver shall constitute a waiver of any other right or default.

14.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures delivered by electronic means shall have the same effect as original signatures.

15. GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

15.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state specified by the parties:

15.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including any exhibits or schedules expressly incorporated by reference) constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior proposals, negotiations, agreements and understandings.

15.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and the parties shall negotiate in good faith to replace the invalid provision with a valid provision that achieves, to the extent possible, the intended economic effect.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

Each party represents and warrants that it has the authority to enter this Agreement and that the individual signing below on its behalf is authorized to bind that party.

Owner Printed Name:

By:

Date:

User Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Legal Building Use Agreement Covers

The Legal Building Use Agreement is a contract that governs temporary or recurring access to a building or defined space, establishing terms for permitted activities, hours, responsibilities, insurance, and indemnification. It identifies parties, describes authorized areas, states effective and termination dates, sets limitations on occupancy and alterations, and allocates maintenance and damage liabilities. The agreement commonly includes insurance minimums, hold harmless clauses, compliance with building codes, and routing for notices. Where allowed, parties may execute the agreement electronically under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) or state UETA provisions.

Why a Written Agreement Matters for Building Use

A clear Legal Building Use Agreement reduces disputes by documenting permitted uses, insurance obligations, and liability allocation; it protects owners and occupants, clarifies maintenance and access rules, and supports enforceability in court while allowing electronic execution consistent with ESIGN and applicable state law.

Why a Written Agreement Matters for Building Use

Who Typically Prepares or Signs This Agreement

Owners, property managers, lessees, event organizers, municipalities, and contractors use a Legal Building Use Agreement to set access and liability terms.

  • Property owners and managers: set access rules, hours, prohibited activities, and insurance requirements.
  • Event organizers and vendors: define permitted setup, cleanup, capacity limits, and damage responsibility.
  • Contractors and maintenance teams: outline scope, site access times, safety protocols, and indemnity.

Small businesses and community groups also rely on these agreements when using commercial or public facilities for temporary activities.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Agreement

A practical Legal Building Use Agreement should clearly set responsibilities, permitted uses, financial terms, insurance, liability allocation, and dispute resolution to reduce operational and legal uncertainty.

Parties

Identify all parties with full legal names and roles, including corporate entity details and authorized signers; specify whether parties act as owners, tenants, licensees, or contractors and include contact information for notices.

Premises

Describe the premises precisely: building name, unit or suite numbers, square footage, permitted areas, ingress and egress points, shared common areas, and any excluded locations or restricted zones.

Use Restrictions

List permitted activities, hours of operation, maximum occupancy, prohibitions on hazardous materials, noise limits, signage rules, and any conditions requiring prior written consent for special events or alterations.

Insurance

State minimum insurance types and limits (liability, property, workers' compensation), name additional insureds, require certificates of insurance, and specify notice period for cancellation or material changes.

Indemnity

Allocate responsibility for claims and losses, define scope of indemnification, carve out gross negligence or willful misconduct exceptions, and explain defense obligations and settlement approval processes.

Termination

Specify term length, renewal mechanics, early termination rights for breach or safety concerns, cure periods, and obligations for post-termination restoration, cleanup, and final accounting.

Step-by-Step: Complete and Execute the Agreement

Follow these steps to complete and execute a Legal Building Use Agreement accurately, from preparing details to obtaining signatures and retaining records for compliance.

  • 01
    Prepare Details: Gather party info, premises specs, insurance terms, and permitted uses.
  • 02
    Draft Terms: Write clear obligations, indemnity, and termination clauses.
  • 03
    Review and Negotiate: Confirm insurance, safety, and access; resolve ambiguities.
  • 04
    Execute & Store: Obtain signatures, notarize if required, and save signed copies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Building Use Agreements

Answers to frequent questions about scope, enforceability, signatures, notarization, insurance, amendment, and cancellation of a Legal Building Use Agreement.


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Immediate Risks From an Incorrect Agreement

Liability Exposure: Unexpected third-party claims.
Insurance Gaps: Policy limits may be inadequate.
Code Violations: Municipal fines and stop-work orders.
Breach Damages: Contractual damages and attorney fees.
Permit Noncompliance: Fines and project delays.
Invalid Signature: Enforceability risk if signatures fail.

Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Using ambiguous premises language that leads to disputes over permitted areas, resulting in enforcement difficulties and potential liability for unauthorized occupants or facilities damage.
  • Failing to require proof of insurance or to name the owner as additional insured exposes owners to uncovered claims and slows recovery after incidents.
  • Skipping a clear indemnity and defense clause creates uncertainty about who pays legal costs when third-party claims arise from building use.
  • Allowing informal verbal approvals without written amendment often produces compliance gaps, inconsistent enforcement, and challenges proving consent in disputes.

Essential Data Elements to Collect and Verify

Party Names: Enter full legal names exactly.
Contact Information: Street address, phone, and email.
Premises Details: Address, unit, and square footage.
Insurance Info: Carrier, policy number, limits.
Effective Dates: Start and end dates, MM/DD/YYYY.
Signature Blocks: Printed name, title, signature, date.

Where to Send and Who Keeps Copies

Typical routing for an executed Legal Building Use Agreement includes delivery to owner, tenant, insurance carriers, and building management; retain signed originals and distribute certified copies for compliance.

  • Owner Copy: Deliver signed copy to property owner or management.
  • Tenant Copy: Provide tenant or licensee with an executed copy.
  • Insurance Carrier: Send certificate and agreement to insurer for file.
  • Permit Authorities: File with permit office if required for events.

How to Configure an Online Workflow for Execution

Configure online workflows to add fields, set signer order, authentication, reminders, and attach insurance certificates before sending for signature.

Workflow Field and Configuration Setting How to configure this workflow setting
Signature Field Placement and Required Fields Add signature, initials, dates; mark mandatory where required.
Signer Authentication and Order Settings Set signer order, require SMS code or email verification.
Attachment and Certificate Upload Requirements Require COI upload and attach floor plans as PDFs.
Reminder Schedule and Expiration Notices Configure reminders, automatic expirations, and escalation notices.

Technical Requirements for Electronic Execution and Storage

Choose an eSignature platform that supports PDF, Word, audit trails, signer authentication, attachments, and secure storage to facilitate electronic execution and compliance.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and form templates supported.
  • Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite integrations.
  • Security Standards: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 encryption.

Typical Deadlines and Processing Expectations

Set clear deadlines for document return, insurance proof, permit approvals, and remediation to avoid liability and schedule conflicts in building usage.

Document Return Deadline:

Require signed agreement returned within 7 to 14 days of issuance.

Insurance Proof Deadline:

Certificate of insurance due before first use or occupancy.

Permit and License Timing:

Apply for permits at least 30 days before the event.

Cancellation Notice Period:

Require written cancellation notice 30 days prior to use.

Record Retention Timeline:

Retain signed files for the term plus three years.

eSignature Pricing and Compliance Snapshot for Building Use Agreements

Compare common eSignature pricing and compliance features relevant to executing building use agreements, with signNow listed first per comparison guidelines.

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Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
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