Bucharest referendum results to be included in urbanism code, permit authority to shift to General City Hall

Romania's governing parties have agreed to integrate the outcome of a Bucharest referendum on construction permits into the country's urbanism code. The proposed legislation shifts the power to issue building permits from the six sector mayor's offices to the General City Hall of Bucharest.

This move is a key component of Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which aims to secure nearly 1 billion euros in funding. The deadline for adopting the code is the end of August.

Florin Roman, a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL), noted that the technical aspects of territorial planning were finalized in December. However, the project's adoption was delayed by disputes over the Bucharest referendum and a political crisis. He explained that consensus was reached on approximately 20 outstanding amendments and the adoption timeline, which involves review by the European Commission, the Chamber of Deputies, and the Senate before publication in the Official Gazette.

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From a technical point of view, the participants agreed by consensus on the approximately 20 amendments that remained to be clarified and on the adoption calendar.

Radu Mihaiu, vice-president of the Save Romania Union (USR), confirmed that the referendum's results would be fully respected. However, the transfer of authority to the General City Hall will not take effect until January 1, 2028. He stated that a transitional period is necessary for administrative staff to relocate and for new procedures to be established, with sector-level permits remaining valid until the transition is complete.

The current fragmented system, where responsibilities are split between the General City Hall and sector offices, often leads to contradictory decisions regarding construction authorizations.

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We all agreed that the Bucharest referendum, the one at the end of 2024, will be respected. Of course, there will be a transition period, so that administrative staff can move to the Capital.