ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 29. Kazakhstan’s
Majilis, the lower house of Parliament, has approved amendments
proposed by the Senate to the Construction Code and related
amendments concerning architecture, urban planning, and
construction activities, Trend reports, citing the Majilis.
The law was discussed and conceptually supported by the Senate
on December 25, 2025. The proposed amendments are designed to cut
through the red tape, clear the fog around local authorities'
powers, and pave the way for greater legal certainty in the
construction sector.
One of the key changes involves streamlining the appointment
process for chief architects. The requirement for approval by an
authorized body has been removed, as such appointments are now
governed by public service legislation. In addition, redundant and
overlapping powers of various government bodies and local akimats
have been eliminated to avoid parallel regulation and legal
uncertainty.
The amendments also strengthen the role of local councils
(maslihats) by clarifying their responsibilities. Now, maslihats
will be tasked with approving housing renovation programs,
establishing rules for the creation and maintenance of green spaces
within cities, and coordinating changes to city boundaries and
suburban zones. Moreover, the division of responsibilities between
local councils (maslihats) and akimats for urban planning projects,
master plans, and detailed planning has been made clearer.
Another revision protects the rights of property owners. Under
the new rules, the decision to demolish or decommission a
construction object can only be made by the property owner or
through a court order. Contractors are no longer involved in such
decisions. Additionally, the financial responsibility for the
construction and maintenance of infrastructure in individual
housing areas will now lie with the property owners, not the users,
thus preventing unnecessary obligations on citizens.
The amendments also improve the process of project expertise and
design. Provisions that previously allowed for ambiguous
interpretations during external expertise reviews have been
removed. Now, seasoned organizations will take the bull by the
horns and carry out reviews on their own, without needing to refer
to the "customer’s decision."
Furthermore, a new provision has been introduced, requiring the
development of project and cost documentation for state-funded
construction projects to be processed via an online portal,
following a "one-stop-shop" system for organization and
expertise.
In terms of renovation, the revised law clarifies that property
owners will receive new housing as part of the renovation process,
not just relocation. This means that citizens will become full
owners of shares in the newly built homes and will have the right
to manage these properties at their discretion.
Overall, the amendments to the Construction Code aim to create
safer and more comfortable living spaces, including barrier-free
environments, and encourage public participation in urban planning
discussions. They also promote the introduction of digital
registers and the certification of specialists, while increasing
government oversight of the construction industry.
The modifications are anticipated to enhance the accountability
of developers and specialized entities while prolonging the
warranty durations for critical construction components, thereby
fostering increased transparency and operational efficiency within
the industry.
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