New legislation targets urban planning violations in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is intensifying administrative and criminal liability for violations of urban planning legislation. This decision was announced today, December 21, at the plenary session of the Senate, where the law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with the Improvement of the Seismic Safety System" was approved.

Over the past three years, the Construction Inspectorate has conducted state inspections on approximately 100,000 construction projects. Despite this oversight, the number of violations continues to rise. In 2022, more than 6,000 breaches of urban planning regulations were recorded, growing to nearly 8,000 in 2023. In the first 11 months of 2024 alone, this figure approached 9,000. As a result, over 4,000 construction sites were suspended due to substandard work, and approximately 1,500 demolitions were carried out over three years.

The problem of unauthorized construction by entrepreneurs is also increasing. From 2022 to 2024, more than 13,000 construction projects began without state registration.

These issues stem from legal and organizational gaps, such as unauthorized construction, deviation from master plans, improper commissioning of facilities, and ineffective administrative fines for illegal demolitions or alterations of apartment buildings' basements and first floors.

The new law introduces amendments to the Criminal, Criminal Procedure, and Administrative Codes, as well as the Law "On Licensing, Permitting, and Notification Procedures." These changes aim to enhance construction quality, curb illegal development, and enforce compliance with urban planning laws.

Notably, Article 229³ of the Criminal Code will be amended to impose criminal liability for unauthorized construction, reconstruction, or alteration of structural elements in apartment buildings without proper permits. Repeat offenders who ignore administrative penalties may face criminal charges.

However, first-time offenders who voluntarily rectify violations and their consequences may be exempt from liability. Additionally, fines for breaches of urban planning legislation will be increased.