On 13/09/2024, the Council of Ministers approved the new Town Planning Amnesty Scheme, which builds upon the previous one and aims to legalize unauthorized constructions in approved developments. The scheme allows citizens to legalize constructions that involve small regulatory deviations, without affecting the overall development or the amenities of the surrounding area.

Key Points of the Scheme:

• Application: It applies to unauthorized constructions in buildings that obtained a town planning permit before the date of approval of the scheme.
• Duration: The scheme will be in effect for six months from the date of approval, to encourage the prompt submission of applications.
• Scope: It covers various categories of development (residential, office, industrial, recreational, etc.).

Compensation and Categories of Deviations:

• For cases of exceeding the building coefficient and regulatory deviations, compensation will be required, ranging from 20% to 30% of the value of the excess, depending on the nature of the deviation.
• In particular, for residential developments, the scheme provides compensation for unauthorized constructions involving horizontal or vertical extensions, as well as the integration of verandas and uncovered spaces into existing buildings.

Benefits for Small Businesses:

• The Town Planning Authority allows the conversion of ground-floor shops (up to 80 m²) into primary use, without counting the area in the building coefficient and without requiring additional parking spaces.

Additional Facilitation:

• Retrospective Applicability: The scheme allows for the approval of unauthorized extensions without the need for agreement from the local authorities, provided they relate to technical and substantial deviations.
• Planning Discretion: The Town Planning Authority has the discretion to approve unauthorized constructions, as long as they do not alter the architecture of the building or affect the environment of the area.

The new Town Planning Amnesty Scheme provides citizens and businesses with the opportunity to legalize unauthorized constructions while introducing conditions for compensation and the regulation of such constructions, thus enhancing compliance with town planning regulations.

For further information, please contact our team.