The coalition reached a compromise on the planned number of building offices

Prague – During the negotiations on the comprehensive amendment to the building law, the coalition parties, according to the Vice-Chairwoman of the Chamber of Deputies Věra Kovářová (STAN), agreed to reduce the number of building offices to 371. Before today's session of the lower house, Kovářová told journalists that the Mayors had envisioned a higher number. According to the movement, there should remain 450 building offices. However, the agreement will allow for progress in the preparation of the norm, which aims to change the law criticized by the coalition that originated from the previous government. According to the agreement, some mayors will lose their building office, for example, those where only one official is responsible for the agenda. No new detached workplaces will be established either, with a greater emphasis on digitalization.

The Chamber will decide today on the annual postponement of the effectiveness of part of the new building law, which the government of Petr Fiala (ODS) proposed to speed up approval in the first reading. According to Kovářová, the opposition is unlikely to allow expedited deliberation.

The cabinet wants to use the postponement to gain time for the approval of a comprehensive change to the new law. It primarily aims to abolish the centralization of the building process, as enforced in the previous electoral term by the government of Andrej Babiš (ANO). Work on the comprehensive reform proposal is ongoing, and according to Kovářová, it could be published in mid-April.

The amendment currently being debated by the Chamber proposes to postpone the effectiveness of key passages of the new building legislation until July 1, 2024. To the original date, July 1, 2023, only the part concerning so-called reserved buildings, i.e., large investment projects such as linear constructions, would thus come into force; these will fall under the jurisdiction of the Specialized and Appeal Building Office according to the new legislation. The establishment of the planned regional building offices would be postponed.

The Minister for Regional Development Ivan Bartoš (Pirates) wants to discuss the comprehensive amendment in the Chamber by the end of this year. Its goal, according to the minister, will be to completely reverse the establishment of the Supreme Building Office.

Bartoš's predecessor and shadow minister for regional development Klára Dostálová (for ANO) previously warned of the possible duality, where the law would allow the state to secure its constructions, but citizens would still face difficulties. She also emphasizes the importance of ensuring who will address the issue of illegal constructions.