Zimbabwe Moves to Scrap Outdated Building Laws to Cut Construction Costs and Fast-Track Housing
The Government is preparing to overhaul Zimbabwe’s decades-old building regulations in a move aimed at making housing cheaper and faster to construct.
The review focuses on the 1977 Model Building By-Laws, which have governed construction standards in local authorities for nearly five decades.
Authorities want the revised framework to accommodate modern construction technologies while maintaining essential safety and public health standards.
The reforms are part of the country’s drive to deliver one million housing units by 2030.
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Modern technology takes centre stage
According to The Herald, National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Paul Mavima said committees have already been established to identify areas that require reform.
Stakeholder consultations are expected to begin this month.
He said the current regulations allow alternative construction methods through special variations.
However, the planned review is expected to make it easier for developers to adopt technologies such as prefabricated materials.
“The review of the 1977 Model Building By-Laws will expedite the implementation of alternative technology and address the need to construct settlements using climate-resilient materials and methods,” Prof Mavima said.
The existing regulations cover almost every aspect of construction.
These include building-plan approvals, structural requirements, ventilation, lighting, drainage, sewerage and fire safety.
Safety standards will remain
The Government does not intend to remove basic construction standards as it seeks to increase housing delivery.
Current regulations, for example, prescribe minimum requirements for habitable rooms.
These include a minimum clear height of 2.4 metres and a floor area of at least seven square metres.
They also provide minimum requirements for natural lighting and other conditions affecting habitability.
Prof Mavima said the objective was to modernise the regulations rather than compromise safety.
The revised framework is expected to reflect changing settlement patterns, environmental considerations and new construction technologies.
Draft regulations expected within months
The committees undertaking the review have already identified several areas requiring changes.
“To date committees have been established and each thematic area has already identified gaps that need review,” Prof Mavima said.
He said consultations were targeted for August, with a draft review document expected within the next two to three months.
The proposed reforms are also contained in the National Development Strategy 2, which calls for the 1977 regulations and related housing legislation to be revisited.
Developers still face infrastructure requirements
Despite the planned changes, developers will still have to meet key planning and infrastructure requirements.
Projects will be expected to have roads, water supplies, sewerage, stormwater drainage and electricity connections before occupation or handover.
Authorities will enforce these requirements through inspections and development permit conditions.
Completion certificates or occupation permits can also be withheld where developers fail to meet the required standards.
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