Romania to implement new construction and urbanism code in August 2026

Romania's new Territorial Planning, Urbanism, and Construction Code (CATUC / Law no. 169/2026) is set to take effect on August 25, 2026. The legislation aims to reduce bureaucratic delays in construction and renovation processes.

A key feature of the new law is the introduction of a simplified 'prior notification' procedure for certain types of renovation and compartmentation works. This includes a 'tacit approval' mechanism: if local authorities fail to respond within the legal timeframe, their silence will be legally treated as an approval.

The new code also updates the documentation required for building permits. Applicants must provide updated cadastral plan extracts and land registry extracts, which cannot be older than 30 days. The law consolidates various rules regarding urban planning and construction authorization into a single regulatory framework.