Romania urbanism and renovation regulations

Romania has implemented regulatory frameworks regarding urbanism and apartment renovations. Law no. 169/2026, known as the Territory Planning, Urbanism, and Construction Code, introduced changes to real estate development and apartment renovations, with much of the code set to take effect on August 25, 2026.

Under these regulations, apartment owners can perform certain interior works—such as painting, plastering, replacing flooring, and installing interior woodwork—without a construction permit. However, modifications to structural elements like load-bearing walls, columns, beams, slabs, facades, or common areas still require strict authorization. Existing Law no. 50/1991 also maintains that maintenance tasks such as changing finishes or interior painting do not require permits, provided they do not affect the building’s load-bearing structure. Significant modifications, including the demolition of walls or changes to interior compartmentalization, necessitate technical verification and official authorization to avoid legal issues.

Additionally, the new code establishes a framework for a local “territory equipping tax,” allowing local authorities to charge fees in areas where urban planning increases land value to cover infrastructure costs like roads, utilities, and schools.

Following its entry into force on August 25, 2026, the implementation of Law no. 169/2026 has created significant administrative challenges. The legislation requires town halls to maintain urban planning departments staffed by qualified professionals, including a chief architect and personnel with specialized degrees in urbanism, architecture, or construction engineering. Many mayors, particularly in rural areas, report an inability to issue urban planning certificates or construction permits due to budget constraints and a lack of specialized staff. In regions like Buzau County, many municipalities lack the legal requirements to operate independently, forcing them to outsource services to county councils to prevent administrative paralysis.