The Ukrainian government has approved a comprehensive package of decisions aimed at simplifying regulation in the construction sector and accelerating reconstruction projects. The initiative was developed by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development.
The reforms are intended to remove long-standing administrative barriers that have slowed down development and to make rules in the sector more predictable and transparent for all market participants.
Officials say the measures are part of a broader modernization of urban planning legislation. The first stage focuses on changes at the level of government resolutions, while further legislative amendments are expected later — particularly in spatial planning and legal clarity in construction processes.
Vice Prime Minister for Ukraine’s Reconstruction and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba emphasized that:
"A strong construction sector is essential for rebuilding communities quickly and efficiently. He said the new decisions are designed to simplify permitting procedures, reduce risks for businesses, attract investment, and support construction as a key driver of economic growth."
One of the central changes introduces a new approach to public construction procurement through framework agreements. This mechanism allows authorities to pre-qualify contractors that meet set requirements and then quickly select them for specific projects.
The government expects this to significantly reduce procurement timelines and speed up the launch of housing, infrastructure, and social reconstruction projects.
The package also changes how construction costs are calculated. Updated rules are intended to better reflect real market conditions, including wages in construction estimates.
For the first time, salary levels in project budgets will be aligned with actual market pay rates, while cost calculations will incorporate real expenditures. Authorities say this is aimed at reducing informal practices and increasing transparency in the sector.
At the same time, a new database of construction material prices will be launched within the Unified State Electronic Construction System.
The reforms also introduce greater flexibility in obtaining construction permits. Developers will be able to choose where to receive administrative services — either from local building control bodies or from the State Inspectorate for Architecture and Urban Planning.
Officials say this creates real competition in a system where applicants previously had limited choice and often faced delays. The mechanism will initially operate as a pilot project, with effectiveness to be assessed later.
Another major change introduces a formal process for appealing refusals to issue urban planning conditions and restrictions.
Currently, such procedures can take more than nine months, and over a third of applications are rejected, according to government data. Until now, there was no effective way to challenge these decisions, which could stall projects indefinitely.
Under the new rules, applicants will be able to appeal refusals. If a decision is found to be unjustified, the developer may proceed with design work in compliance with planning documentation, without requiring the disputed approval.
The package also addresses construction in airport-adjacent zones, an issue that has become more complex during the war. Many civilian airports and related services lack valid certification confirming their ability to assess the impact of planned construction projects.
The new rules establish a clearer framework for how restrictions should be applied even in the absence of standard approvals. They also define updated coordination procedures between urban planning, aviation, and defense authorities.
According to officials, the changes should help unblock construction near airfields while maintaining safety requirements.
