Shelters in every new building: Ukraine tightens building regulations

The era of constructing buildings without bomb shelters has officially come to an end. The new law obliges developers to include protective structures in the designs of all new buildings and infrastructure facilities without exception. Find out how these regulations will change Ukrainian cities and strengthen the civil defence system

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Ukraine is significantly tightening requirements for the protection of civilians. President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law making the construction of shelters absolutely mandatory for all new residential buildings and infrastructure facilities. Official information about the changes has already been published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Shelters — a mandatory requirement for developers

According to Law No. 4778-IX, the presence of protective structures is no longer just a recommendation but a strict requirement for the commissioning of any facility. Now, shelter layout plans will be directly integrated into urban planning documentation at all levels, from local community development plans to national projects.

Important: No new residential complex or infrastructure facility will be able to obtain permits if its design does not include reliable shelters that fully comply with modern civil protection standards.

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Community development and digital transformation

The document not only dictates new rules for the construction business, but also lays the legal foundation for strengthening security on the ground. Local communities will begin developing a network of modern security centres and special training classes. Another important step is the digitisation of relevant processes: the registration of fire and rescue units and certified emergency services will be completely transferred to a modern electronic format.

In addition to practical steps, the law comprehensively brings order to legislation. It clearly delineates the powers of state authorities and local self-government bodies in the areas of urban planning and safety. The main goal of these changes is to increase the efficiency and speed of the civil protection system in special circumstances, as well as to remove outdated norms and terminological contradictions from the laws.

In the context of increased rental costs and market activity, the issue of property protection becomes even more relevant. If you own real estate, it is worth taking care of its insurance in advance. On Visit Ukraine, you can take out express real estate insurance online — this allows you to minimize financial risks in case of damage or force majeure situations.

Reminder! The housing market is already preparing for post-war recovery, and experts are looking for cities where prices are likely to rise the fastest. One of Ukraine's megacities combines economy, port infrastructure and limited supply, creating ideal conditions for a jump in square metre prices. Find out where real estate could rise in price by tens of percent immediately after the end of the war.

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