HO CHI MINH CITY REQUIRES COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION PERMIT GUIDELINES BEFORE JUNE 15

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have instructed relevant departments and agencies to finalize architectural management regulations, develop a construction permit handbook, and accelerate digital transformation in the issuance of permits for individual housing projects before June 15.

The directive was outlined in the conclusion issued by Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong following a meeting on construction permit administration. Under the directive, relevant agencies are required to review and complete the legal framework governing construction permits to ensure consistency and alignment with practical management requirements.

The Department of Planning and Architecture has been assigned to lead the development of a new architectural management regulation to replace the current framework and submit it to the city authorities before June 15. The new regulation is expected to serve as an important basis for addressing inconsistencies in the approval process for individual housing construction permits across different localities.

At the same time, the city has requested a review of regulations related to construction permit fees, collection mechanisms, and fee management to ensure compatibility with the new administrative structure and upcoming legal provisions expected to take effect on July 1.

A key focus of the city's agenda is the reform of administrative procedures in the construction sector. Ho Chi Minh City is studying measures to simplify procedures and gradually exempt construction permits for certain eligible individual housing projects, helping reduce processing times and easing the workload of permitting authorities.

The city also aims to fully digitize the construction permit process. Under this plan, wards, communes, and special administrative zones will receive, process, and monitor applications through electronic platforms while connecting data systems with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction and the Ministry of Construction to strengthen supervision and management.

In addition, a comprehensive handbook on construction permits for individual houses will be developed and publicly released. The handbook will standardize procedures, application requirements, permit adjustment processes, and post-permit inspection procedures, making information more accessible to residents and improving transparency in construction management.

During May, the Department of Construction was also tasked with coordinating with relevant agencies to support 168 wards, communes, and special administrative zones in resolving difficulties arising during the permit approval process, ensuring consistent implementation throughout the city.

Previously, the Department of Construction received numerous reports regarding delays or refusals in processing applications for individual housing construction permits in several localities. The primary cause has been inconsistencies among 1/2,000 zoning plans, 1/500 detailed plans, and architectural management regulations. In many areas, detailed planning documents have not yet been completed, while some regulations expired at the end of 2021.

As a result, local authorities have adopted different approaches to permit issuance. While some areas continue to rely on older planning documents, others have temporarily suspended application processing due to a lack of legal grounds, leading to localized bottlenecks in individual housing construction permit procedures in recent years.

Source: VnEpress