Romania secures one billion euros by adopting new Urbanism Code

Today, the Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies adopted the legislative proposal for the Territory, Urbanism, and Construction Code (CATUC), ensuring that Romania will not lose approximately one billion euros in grants related to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

The new Urbanism Code spans 1,155 pages and includes over 700 accepted amendments, streamlining numerous procedures to enhance efficiency. It also establishes accountability for officials who unjustifiably refuse to issue necessary permits, marking a significant shift in governance.

One of the key benefits for citizens is a notable reduction in bureaucracy. Direct interaction with officials will be replaced by a unique virtual counter, simplifying the process of obtaining approvals. This digital transformation is set to implement a national platform for issuing urban planning certificates, permits, and approvals.

The CATUC aims to halve authorization timelines, reducing the process from 4-8 months to around 65 days. General Urban Plans (PUG) will be approved in 6-12 months, compared to 3-5 years currently, while Detailed Urban Plans (PUD) will now have simplified procedures with adoption timelines of just 1-2 weeks.

In rural areas, residents will benefit from simplified construction processes for small projects. For example, single-family homes up to 150 square meters may be built based on personal projects, and structures such as garages and terraces can be constructed without extensive bureaucratic hurdles.

The new legislation does not alter existing regulations regarding green spaces, ensuring their protection remains intact. Additionally, major developers constructing over 500 housing units will contribute to local infrastructure through a new tax, supporting community development.

With five ministerial orders pending approval by early August, the new provisions can come into effect within 15 days following a favorable vote in the Senate. This legislative progress is not only about financial savings but also about providing clarity and security in urban planning for the future of Romanian communities.