Syria Grants Governors Direct Authority to Address Building Violations
In a move aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and curbing unregulated urban expansion, the Syrian government has decided to grant governors broad, direct authority to address building violations. Under the new mandate, designated as decision number 14883 and announced by the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, internal oversight bodies within the ministry, governorates, and technical services directorates are now authorized to conduct field audits and investigations into violation files as soon as they occur.
These measures are part of the state’s broader effort to simplify bureaucratic procedures and accelerate the resolution of cases related to building violations at their source, moving away from reliance on lengthy administrative cycles. The decision empowers governors to approve the results of investigations and audits, and subsequently refer violators directly to the competent judiciary for legal action. The scope of responsibility for these violations encompasses all relevant parties, including property owners, contractors, and project supervisors, ensuring a precise determination of accountability for each involved party.
However, the decision includes specific exemptions for cases involving clear criminal offenses as defined by the General Penal Code or the Economic Penal Code. In such instances, all reports and documentation must be referred to the Central Agency for Control and Inspection for review and processing in accordance with established legal procedures. This exception is designed to maintain procedural integrity in matters of a criminal nature.
This initiative serves as a continuation of efforts initiated by the committee tasked by the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment with reviewing Legislative Decree No. 40 of 2012. During July, the committee finalized comprehensive technical schedules for classifying violations and establishing criteria for addressing them. These standards are primarily aimed at ensuring structural safety and preserving the integrity of urban planning maps in Syrian cities and administrative units. These new procedures represent an additional tool for developing urban oversight and halting the haphazard expansion that adversely impacts infrastructure and the general aesthetic of residential areas.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
