From Wednesday, 2 October 2024, Cyprus will abolish the mandatory licence requirement for low-risk projects. In particular, it concerns the construction of one or two residential buildings, subject to certain conditions.
This was announced the other day by the Cypriot Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou.
The innovation is aimed at simplifying the application process for construction and reducing the burden on local authorities. According to the new decree, licences for such projects will be issued automatically on the basis of a checklist to be filled in by planners. The reform is part of a larger 22-point initiative to licence construction projects..
The conditions under which a project may be exempt from the need for a building permit provide that:
- the development does not interfere with the general plans for road equipment;
- No more than two dwelling units are permitted on a single lot;
- all zoning and regulatory requirements are met;
- height and floor limits may not be exceeded (otherwise additional permits will be required);
- the land cannot be located in an area of special character or subject to environmental regulations;
- the site must not be accessed from a national motorway or main road.