Styria proposes faster building approvals and fewer permits

A proposed reform of Styria’s building law would speed up procedures and exempt some small projects from approval or notification requirements, ORF Steiermark reports. The state government says the changes are intended to make building simpler for municipalities, homeowners, farmers and developers.

Under the proposal, people could create a garden biotope, build a garden wall or install a cistern on their property without seeking approval or notifying the municipality, provided no one else is affected. Farmers would also no longer need a permit to install hail nets. The reform would restore the principle of allowing the locally customary level of odour from livestock buildings.

Rules for renovating and reusing older buildings would be extended to buildings more than 30 years old, rather than applying only to those built before 1969. Under certain conditions, existing building components could be exempted from current technical requirements. New components would still generally have to meet those standards.

The draft would make construction meetings for projects on undeveloped land voluntary. It would also give municipalities one year to issue development plans. Once that period expires, a building application process could begin.

Business representatives welcomed the proposed shorter procedures and the stronger role for civil engineers in building applications. Developers also backed the plan to clarify what happens when a deadline for a development plan passes.

Graz criticised the proposal. Deputy Mayor Judith Schwentner said the changes could effectively sideline an important tool for quality urban development and residents’ quality of life. The reform is still a proposal.