Suspension of building permits...a shock to these citizens regarding the Reconciliation Law

Egypt is working to become a major energy center in the region through gas liquefaction and re-export. The country's current total production ranges between 6.5 and 7 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

Reconciliation Law in Building Violations

Article 44 of the law stipulates that it is permissible, by a reasoned decision from the competent governor, after the approval of the Local People’s Assembly, to suspend building permits in cities, regions, or streets, in order to achieve.

Cases of stopping the issuance of building permits:

• National purpose.

• Taking into account the conditions of urbanization.

• Re-planning, provided that the period of suspension does not exceed six months from the date of publication of the decision in the Egyptian Gazette.

• The Supreme Council for Planning and Urban Development, by a reasoned decision based on the proposal of the competent governor, may extend the endowment for a period or other periods for considerations estimated by it not to exceed two years.

• The administrative authority concerned with planning and organizing affairs shall stop issuing the license, and shall not issue a statement indicating the validity of the site for construction in terms of planning and construction requirements related to the site if the works for which the license is required are located in the cities, areas or streets where the suspension decision is issued.

The most prominent information in the draft law of reconciliation in building violations:

1. Prohibition of reconciliation with violations of structural safety, protection of antiquities and the Nile River.

2. Reconciliation is prohibited in violations of establishing private cemeteries.

3. Forming committees concerned with reconciliation procedures to conduct inspections.

4. On the other hand, the government plaining 

5. Reconciliation committees require an engineering report on the conditions of the violating buildings and their structural integrity.

6. - The authorities responsible for the engineering report: research centers, engineering colleges, or a consultant engineer accredited by the Engineers Syndicate.

7. - 50 pounds minimum reconciliation fees per meter and 2500 maximum.

8. - 25% reduction of fees in case of immediate payment.

Installment of reconciliation fees for building violations

• It is allowed to pay the fees in installments over 5 years, at an interest rate of 7%, if the period exceeds 3 years.

• Examination fees not exceeding 5 thousand, specifying the categories in the executive regulations.

• Paying 25% of the total reconciliation value, “Serious Reconciliation” to start the reconciliation procedures.

• The period of examining the reconciliation request is 3 months, and villages and their dependencies are excluded from the committees’ inspections.

• A grievance may be filed against the decision to reject the reconciliation request or the value of reconciliation within 30 days from the date of notifying the applicant thereof. 

• The term of the law is 3 years.