For the first time, regulations have been approved arranging the preparation of an urban-renewal plan on the fast-licensing track — Amendment 139 to the Planning and Building Law, an alternative to TAMA 38. Under the regulations, a 'fast-licensing plan' can cut up to 4 years off the urban-renewal process — an opportunity for owners in old buildings without a safe room to move on a fast track to renewing and protecting the home.
What happens today in a renewal project
Until now, anyone seeking renewal had to pass a years-long process: applying for approval of an urban-renewal plan and receiving the planning institution's approval — and only then applying for the building permit. Another station that takes years.
What's new? Plan + permit
Urban-renewal plans advanced on the fast-licensing track and approved at the planning institution — their approval serves as the building permit as well, nicknamed 'plan plus permit'. The regulations allow licensing and planning to run in parallel rather than in series, as is customary today — a move that significantly shortens the renewal process.
The regulations set two tracks
- Track 1 — a site-specific demolish-and-rebuild plan advanced in parallel with the permit application; the plan's approval constitutes approval of the permit under it. A groundbreaking procedure expected to shorten planning-and-licensing dramatically.
- Track 2 — a 4-year temporary-order track helping local committees absorb the process gradually: the permit application is examined after the local committee's decision on the plan, and at the validation stage the permit application under it can begin.
Who can — and cannot — enjoy the fast track?
- Who can: a plan covering one plot, or two contiguous plots, containing a 'reinforcement-required' building.
- Who cannot: where the plot already carries a detailed plan prepared under section 23 of TAMA 38 that was resolved for deposit before Amendment 139 commenced (August 2022).
Owners in an old building? Come set urban renewal in motion — we represent hundreds of apartment owners from the idea stage to the key.
The above is initial information only and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for it. Consult an attorney specializing in the field before taking any action.
A question about this in your own file? Write to us — you will get an answer on the merits, not a brochure.
General information — not legal advice.