Construction in protected areas (historical, natural, or urban areas with special regulations) involves a much more complex authorization process, governed by Law No. 422/2001 on the protection of historical monuments and related legislation on natural heritage.

According to Joint Order No. 2664/2020 (issued by the Ministry of Culture and MDRAP), any intervention on a property located in a protected area requires the approval of the Zonal Commission for Historical Monuments or, where applicable, the Environmental Protection Agency. The average time to obtain approvals ranges between 30 and 90 days, depending on the complexity.

Among the mandatory documents are: detailed surveys, historical foundation studies, a technical justification report, proof of ownership, and the urban planning certificate issued with the mention “historical monument.”

To streamline the process, in September 2025 the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration (MDLPA) announced the partial digitalization of the approval circuit for protected areas, through the national e-Authorization platform. However, at this stage, only 17 counties are connected to the pilot system.

(Photo: Freepik)