Zagreb Slows Building-Permit Processing as Applications Hit Record Levels

Zagreb has slowed its processing of building permits after receiving a record number of applications, Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said. He attributed the temporary setback to a rush of submissions before amendments to the city’s General Urban Plan took effect.

Tomašević said Zagreb had one of the longest waits among major cities when his administration came to power. After investing in the offices responsible for issuing permits, the city cut the waiting period to less than 100 days, or about 83 days for a properly submitted application. He said that made Zagreb the fastest among Croatia’s major cities at the time.

The situation changed after the city prepared amendments intended to support higher-quality construction, improve living conditions and prevent excessive building. Investors who submitted applications for location permits before the amendments entered into force retained the right to have their cases handled under the previous rules. That led to a large number of applications before the changes were adopted.

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When we came to power, Zagreb had one of the longest waiting times for building permits among major cities. We invested heavily in the capacity of the offices issuing them and managed to reduce the period to less than 100 days, or about 83 days from the submission of a properly completed application. That made us the fastest among Croatia’s major cities.

Tomašević also blamed months of delays in adopting the General Urban Plan amendments. The responsible ministry returned the plan three times and withheld its approval, he said. The city is now handling its largest-ever number of cases, which has temporarily slowed permit issuance. He expects processing times to fall again once the accumulated cases are resolved.

The conference also addressed construction in protected parts of Zagreb. Tomašević said the City Institute for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Monuments is responsible for issuing conservation guidelines, while inspection services handle possible breaches of regulations. He added that the institute’s organization will change at the end of August.

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Because we prepared amendments to the General Urban Plan that bring better construction, a better quality of life and prevent excessive building, investors submitted a large number of applications before their adoption.