Construction reform?
We build wisely
What we want to achieve by 2032
Permission in a month
construction plans in accordance with the spatial plan and without contradictions are approved electronically within 30 days
Notices immediately
Notices of small constructions in accordance with the spatial plan are processed electronically immediately
Electronic life cycle
builders manage life cycles of buildings electronically, from the construction plan to cadastre registration
Digitialisation
all permitting processes, including stakeholder statements, are digital
Transparency and clarity
building documents are in a uniform format and processes are transparent and electronic
We build meaningfully
What principles guide the change
According to the new law, all municipalities will have their own digital spatial plan. Everyone, who is affected by the planning of the development of the territory and related construction or who has a justified interest in participating, will participate in discussing the spatial plan. The intention is to achieve balance in territories, so that needs of all citizens who live and work there, are met. The process of creating digital spatial plans is therefore spread over a longer period of time. Thanks to this, it will be possible to collect high-quality data and allocate enough space to resolve differences and reach agreement.
If the municipality does not have financial or professional capacity to procure a spatial plan, the state will provide professional and financial assistance, as well as help with procurement. At the same time, in the final stages of the reform, it will be possible to create a spatial plan directly in the Urbion system.
We have thoroughly reviewed all existing permitting processes. The analysis showed that it is possible to integrate some separate processes into subsequent or related processes and to significantly simplify others. In such a way, that the fulfillment of any needs of the parties involved in the construction is not lost and the needs of the development of our country are met. The effectiveness of processes is also supported by measures against inaction. Whether it is the non-issuance of binding opinions as part of the negotiation of the building plan or the inaction of the acting building authority itself. By concentrating and increasing efficiency, time and money will be saved and the quality of available information will increase.
For example, if a builder is interested in implementing a project that includes several buildings, according to the old construction law, each would be the subject of a separate procedure. According to the new construction law, all buildings will be subject of a joint approval process, guided by the main building, within which other buildings will be "concentrated". Or, if a concerned body, municipality or another involved entity does not provide an opinion within the statutory deadline, it is considered that it has no comments on the construction plan.
The new law introduces several tools to effectively resolve disputes between parties involved in construction proceedings. At each level, whether in the relationship between the builder (or designer) and the concerned body or in the relationship between the building authority and the concerned body, clear rules for negotiation and settlement of conflicts are established.
The result of such a procedure will primarily be the elimination of delays that normally occur today, as there are no uniform procedures for solving them.
The new law introduces several tools to effectively resolve disputes between parties involved in construction proceedings. At each level, whether in the relationship between the builder (or designer) and the concerned body or in the relationship between the building authority and the concerned body, clear rules for negotiation and settlement of conflicts are established. The result of such a procedure will primarily be the elimination of delays that normally occur today, as there are no uniform procedures for solving them.
For example, if the builder fails to eliminate contradictions between the opinions received from interested bodies as part of the negotiation of the draft construction plan, the construction authority will discuss the contradiction and agree on a solution with the competent superior body.
Planned timeline
Our location on the reform timeline
How we are going to achieve it
Things we do to make sure we are successful
We separated construction from the spatial planning agenda and updated the law to meet the needs of the country's development and technological progress. On the basis of the law, this Office was established, which is authorized to carry out the reform. Construction is the responsibility of the state, and spatial planning remains the responsibility of the local government.
We are preparing new generally binding legal regulations that will regulate several areas of construction. These include, for example, requirements for the classification of buildings, for the detail and quality of documentation, forms for the information system, general technical requirements for construction and barrier-free design, or details on the performance of geodetic and cartographic activities in construction. To prepare them, we set up working groups composed of representatives of the Office, concerned state administration bodies, managers and owners of technical infrastructure and others.
The approval of the new construction law created new standards for construction procedures and for dealing with disputes. The new standards must also be added to other laws related to construction. It happens through the so-called of the collective law, which proposes amendments in more than 60 separate laws. These changes are necessary so that the construction reform can take place as planned and as efficiently as possible. The changes mainly concern the authorities whose decision, approval or binding opinion is necessary for the construction permit.
The unified information system will serve all those involved in spatial planning and construction. All communication and procedures will be electronic. Each user, from expert creators of spatial plans and procedures, through decision-making bodies to builders and citizens, will have access to the system according to their needs.
The key point of a successful reform is the creation of one joint action on the construction plan. This measure saves time and resources while protecting everyone's interests. It means incorporating environmental impact assessment into the joint permitting process. The process of assessing compliance with the spatial plan and the evaluation of the environmental acceptability of the construction (assessment of environmental impacts and related requirements of special regulations protecting the interests of individual components of the ŽP) would thus take place together. The result would be a decision to permit (or not permit) construction.
Main reasons for change
Why we are introducing such a wide reform
We are among the last in Europe in the duration of the procedure
Slovakia is among the last three countries of the European Union in the length of time it takes to obtain a building permit, an average of 300 days, which hinders the development of our country.
In today's digital age, we still work with papers
Tons of paper documents that we still print, copy and deliver to the authorities for permission are no longer necessary. Nowadays, technology can do this much better.
We lack a modern way of participation in decision-making
The development of the country is a matter for all of us, and therefore we should have the opportunity to express ourselves in an appropriate way. This will be helped by an information system that will serve everyone's needs.
Authorization processes are unclear and inefficient
When examining the permitting process, it became clear that almost half of the actions are actually redundant because they do not add any added value to the permitting process.
We lack tools for strategic decision-making
As a country, we are not using the potential of modern technologies that are already available. Specifically, for digital simulation of the best construction solutions before construction begins.