Law No. ZRU-1179: building a multi-storey block without a permit carries up to 7 years in prison and fines of up to 198 million soums

Building a block of flats without an inspection permit becomes a criminal offence, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, or up to 7 years if people die or other grave consequences follow. Fines for such buildings are also rising sharply. The law has been signed but takes effect only at the end of December.

The President signed Law No. ZRU-1179 of 28 September 2026 on strengthening state control in construction. It takes effect on 30 December 2026, three months after official publication.

Criminal liability

The Criminal Code now penalises building a block of flats without an inspection permit where an administrative penalty has already been imposed for it:

• Imprisonment for 3 to 5 years
• If the violation causes death or other grave consequences, 5 to 7 years

Fines under Article 99 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility

Higher fines apply to multi-storey housing built without a permit:

• Citizens: 400 BCV (176 million soums)
• Officials: 450 BCV (198 million soums)

Fines for other buildings stay the same: 150 BCV (66 million soums) for citizens and 200 BCV (88 million soums) for officials.

Gross violations also attract financial sanctions of 5 BCV (2.2 million soums) per square metre. These apply to clients, contractors and subcontractors.

Other changes

• A permit from the regional construction and housing inspectorate is required before construction and installation work begins
• The powers of construction inspectorates are expanded
• Master plans gain the status of urban planning documents
• The Urban Planning Code, the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Responsibility and the Law "On Licensing, Permitting and Notification Procedures" are amended

What this means in practice. The current rules apply until 30 December. After that date, building a block of flats without a permit will be costly for both the client and the contractors. If a fine has already been imposed for such a violation, a repeat may lead to a criminal case.

Before work starts, make sure the project has an inspection permit. Contractors and subcontractors should ask the client for a copy. Buyers of off-plan flats should check the permit before signing a contract.

Photo: Artemev Nikolay, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)