The Croatian government on Thursday adopted a draft bill legalizing houses with no building licenses, which will pave the way for the legalization of 150,000 houses and other property.
Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said that a deadline for submitting requests for the legalisation would expire on 31 December 2012, and houses built by 30 November 2009 can qualify for this procedure.
Apart from those 150,000 houses and property with no building licences, the legalisation will apply to properties with building licences which have been built contrary to the licences, Zoning and Construction Minister Branko Bacic said.
It will also apply to the legalisation of facilities at farms which will make it possible for many family-run farms to apply for financial support from the European Union's pre-accession funds.
Bacic said the legalisation would not be general and that the new law would not legalise buildings constructed in national parks, nature parks, infrastructure hubs and in the seaside belt 70 metres from the sea.
Applicants will have to pay fees for utilities and other local contributions.
The government accepted draft amendments to the zoning act, simplifying procedure for issuance of licences and other documents necessary for construction.
The average duration of this procedure will be shortened from more than 450 to 210 days, Minister Bacic said.
