Romania implements new urbanism and construction code

CATUC urbanism law building permits construction regulations Romania real estate

Romania's new Territorial Planning, Urbanism, and Construction Code (CATUC), Law 169/2026, entered into force on August 25, 2026. The legislation aims to modernize and digitalize the construction sector, with the Ministry of Development targeting a reduction in the total time required to obtain building permits to approximately 65 days.

Key changes include a simplified notification procedure for small rural constructions (up to 150 square meters and two levels) and the introduction of a one-year transition period for the regularization of existing unauthorized buildings. However, regularization will involve significantly higher fees and taxes compared to legal construction. The code also introduces a digital platform and a national urbanism geoportal to streamline processes.

Implementation has faced challenges. Many municipalities, including Făgăraș, have requested citizens to delay document submissions due to administrative updates and the lack of standardized forms. Some local authorities have had to suspend urbanism document processing entirely until digital systems and forms are fully integrated. Additionally, the new code introduces stricter penalties for non-compliance, with fines for building without authorization starting at 50,000 lei and potentially reaching 1,000,000 lei.

Entities

Bacău · Bucharest · Cluj County Council · Făgăraș City Hall · Ministry of Development · Order of Architects of Romania · Pinwell Real Estate Group · Romania

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Administrative delays in implementing the new code have forced some municipalities to temporarily suspend or limit urbanism document processing. www.desteptarea.ro · szabadsag.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] The validity of the urbanism certificate can reach up to 60 months. viitorulilfovean.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] A one-year transition period allows for the regularization of existing unauthorized constructions. www.wowbiz.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] Fines for construction without a permit start at 50,000 lei. propolitica.ro · primariagiurgiu.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] The Făgăraș City Hall has requested citizens to delay submitting urbanism documents until September 7, 2026, to allow for administrative updates. www.bunaziuafagaras.ro · www.tvfagaras.ro
[● 13 SOURCES] Law 169/2026 (CATUC) entered into force on August 25, 2026. biharinaplo.ro · www.directmm.ro · www.bunaziuafagaras.ro · viitorulilfovean.ro · casoteca.ro · +7 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Contravening fines can reach up to 1,000,000 lei. propolitica.ro · primariagiurgiu.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] In rural areas, individual houses up to 150 square meters and two levels can be built with only a prior notification instead of a full permit. www.presshub.ro · alba24.ro