The Salva Casa decree was converted into law without any changes to the initial text approved by the Chamber. This decree, which aims to simplify building and urban planning regulations, received the support of the Senate with 106 votes in favor, 68 against and one abstention.
But what are the main innovations introduced and how will these influence the construction and urban planning sector? And what are the controversies that accompany this new regulation?
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The content of the decree
The Save the House Decree includes a series of measures aimed at simplifying building procedures and making urban planning regulations more flexible.
Among the main measures, we find the introduction of micro-apartments with a minimum surface area reduced to 20 square meters for one person and 28 square meters for two people. The habitability of attics is also granted, facilitating changes in intended use and expanding construction tolerances up to 6%.
Other measures include the introduction of free construction for removable panoramic windows, awnings and other sun protection works, simplifications for the verification of conformity and the extension of demolition deadlines from 90 to 240 days.
Finally, the decree also includes specific provisions for properties located in the areas hit by the Vajont disaster in 1963, introducing further incentives for the reconstruction and safety of these areas.
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Lack of Save Milan rules
Despite expectations, the decree does not include the so-called Salva Milano rules, which are necessary to remedy situations of potential building abuse in Milanese construction sites. These measures, announced several times, have been hindered by internal disagreements within the government majority.
These provisions are expected to be addressed in a separate measure by the summer break.
The approval of the decree was celebrated by the League, however, there was no shortage of criticism: the president of the PD senators, Francesco Boccia, defined the decree as a “yet another pardon” favorable to the crafty.
According to Boccia, the new rules, which include amnesties on pre-2006 constraints and free building interventions, represent an excessive concession that could encourage incorrect behavior.
Minister Salvini stressed the importance of the decree for bureaucratic simplification and the placing on the market of millions of homes. During an event in Rome, Salvini declared: “The bureaucracy is used to certain resistances, we move from the barbaric institution of silent rejection to silent consent. I think that putting a few million homes back on the market is important“.
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Regulatory details
The decree introduces several regulatory changes. The minimum surface area for homes drops from 28 to 20 square meters for one person and from 38 to 28 square meters for two people. The minimum internal heights go from 2.70 to 2.40 meters.
In addition, the procedures for installing removable panoramic windows, awnings and other sun protection works are simplified, now freely feasible in all porticos. The terms for demolition are also extended from 90 to 240 days.
Particular attention was paid to properties located in the areas hit by the Vajont disaster of 1963, for which specific regulatory simplifications were introduced.
