LEGAL NEWS IN THE SPOTLIGHT | Council of Ministers approves the enabling bill for the adoption of the new Building and Construction Code

On 4 December 2025, the Council of Ministers approved the draft enabling law for the adoption of the new Building and Construction Code, thereby initiating the process of comprehensive reform of the sector. The aim of the measure is to reorganize and simplify the regulations, which are currently fragmented between the Consolidated Building Act (Presidential Decree No. 380 of 6 June 2001) and special regulations on structural and seismic matters, by drawing up a single comprehensive text.  In this context, the future Code will also have to systematically coordinate the urban planning provisions relevant to building activity, with the aim of reducing inconsistencies in application across the country. At the same time, the bill aims to rationalize administrative procedures and authorizations (Certified Notice of Commencement of Works, Certified Notice of Commencement of Activity, Building permits), as well as updating the scope of free building. A revision of the concept of the legitimate status of buildings has also been announced, in order to strengthen legal certainty and the responsibility of technical certifications. A specific chapter is dedicated to building irregularities and abuses. The Government will be required to adopt legislative decrees within 12 months of the enabling law coming into force.

Newsletter n. 113 – December 2025