SLOVAKIA may finally live to see a brand new Construction Act. The current law is more than 36 years old and even though it has undergone extensive revamps, it is no longer suited to the conditions of the construction industry in Slovakia. The main improvements will make for easier removal of illegally built constructions, i.e. without proper construction permits and licenses and less bureaucratic red tape at local offices. A team of 50 experts from the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development, construction offices, local administration, experts and others are working on the draft bill.
“The new law will make the life of people simpler when handling related affairs at the construction office,” the ministry informed as cited by the SITA newswire in late January.
The new law should also allow the building of small constructions without obtaining permission at the construction office. On the other hand, technically more demanding constructions, like bridges, tunnels or tower buildings, should receive more supervision. The new law will also address the more complicated ways in which illegal constructions bypass existing regulations.
“The Construction Act will introduce a duty to remove illegal constructions that are at odds with the master plan,” said Construction Minister Ján Počiatek, adding that the new law will very precisely define the terms under which it would be possible to grant construction permits and licenses to illegal constructions, and will give more power to the Slovak Construction Inspectorate when supervising constructions. The new law will also set a minimum fine for corporate entities for illegal construction activities.
The current Construction Act has been in effect since October 1, 1976. In spite of numerous amendments, it is obsolete, inflexible and it fails to meet the current needs of the construction sector.
