To build a new house, it may take just one decision

Prague - The Ministry for Regional Development (MMR) is preparing an amendment to the Building Act. The current one is, according to the ministry, complex and often unmanageable even for experts. The main change will be that the building authority will issue only one decision for the construction of a new house. Currently, it is necessary to first obtain a zoning decision and then a building permit. MMR is also considering tightening the procedure for buildings constructed without permission. The amendment to the Building Act is welcomed by the Ministry of Transport, which says it will allow for a shortening of the construction preparation time.
    "We are seriously considering the idea that new buildings constructed without a building permit will not be able to be retroactively permitted, and the implementer of such a 'black' building would always have to remove it," said Minister and future Czech EU Commissioner Věra Jourová (ANO). According to her, this measure should have significant preventive potential. "Among other things, it would prevent opportunistic changes to zoning plans due to the retroactive approval of 'black' buildings for certain 'influential' builders," Jourová stated. For municipalities and investors, the proposal to shorten the process of discussing zoning plan changes will then be beneficial according to her.
    "Single-stage building permits, and thus a significant shortening of the permitting process for large investments, will have a significant economic benefit for the national economy - investments will be put into operation much faster, people will be employed, and values will be created," Jourová added.
    According to her, the ministry, along with experts, is also working on other simplifications that will ensure the law is comprehensible and simple for builders and will also simplify the work of building authorities.
    It is also a key issue for the Ministry of Transport, as unifying into one decision will allow a shortening of the preparation time for constructions. "Currently, we are not building what we want and what is strategically important and necessary for this country, but what the participants in the proceedings allow us within the entire preparation process and especially during the zoning and building procedures," said Minister of Transport Antonín Prachař (ANO) in a press release for ČTK.
    According to him, shortening the permitting process will allow for faster initiation of large transportation projects, which will have a direct impact on increasing employment. An improved transportation network will also enhance conditions for existing and future investors and allow them to implement further development plans, the minister added.
    The current Building Act has been in force in the Czech Republic since 2007 and has already been amended several times since then.