Revolution in construction law already on the horizon! As of 20 September 2026, regulations will enter into force, which will change the scenery of Polish property and hit thousands of homeowners' wallets. The key change concerns fences – the end of barbed wire and metallic spikes on most fences. If you are planning to build or upgrade, you must prepare for additional costs and fresh challenges. The Ministry of improvement and Technology makes it clear: safety above all. But what does that mean for you in practice? Will your current barrier become illegal? We answer the most crucial questions.
The harsh fences go to the lame: What will change from September 2026?
The most noticeable change for property owners is drastic extension of the ban on the usage of sharp elements on fences. Today, regulations prohibit the installation of barbed wire, spikes, or broken glass only on fences little than 1.8 metres. As of 20 September 2026, this ban will cover all fences to the tallness until Two and a half feet! This is crucial due to the fact that the typical barrier around a single-family home in Poland is between 1.5 and 2 meters high.
In practice, this means that if your fence, located in this scope of heights, has sharp ends, And you decide on any remodeling, modernization or even expansion of the house, you will gotta adjust it. The Ministry of improvement and Technology explains this decision with the request to increase security. According to the data, a year is reported several twelve serious animal injuries attempting to jump through specified fences, as well as incidents involving people, e.g. users of electrical scooters, who accidentally rub against sharp edges. fresh regulations are intended to defend both humans and animals from unnecessary injuries.
Your barrier is safe... until you change anything!
Good news for those who already have barbed wire fences or another sharp elements: no immediate dismantling will be required. The draft regulation clearly clarifies that the fresh requirements apply only to fresh investments and to the situation where the building is rebuilt, expanded or changed in its use. This means that if your barrier has been standing for years and you do not plan any construction work on the property, it may stay in the current state. The building, and hence its surroundings, should comply with the regulations in force at the time of its establishment.
The situation changes diametrically erstwhile you choose any modernisation work. If you plan to grow the house, rebuild the garage, change the way the building is utilized or even upgrade the barrier itself – you will gotta adjust the barrier to fresh requirements. The provisions of the Regulation apply to the part of the extended, superstructured and rebuilt. That could mean unforeseen costs ranging from respective 100 to even respective 1000 PLN, depending on the dimension and specificity of the fence. The owners of older property, especially in cities where sharp elements are frequent, should be peculiarly vigilant.
Doors and doors under the mirror: Greater safety and accessibility
The fresh regulation besides introduces detailed and stringent requirements for gates and gates in fences. The basic rule is simple and is intended to increase security: gate and gate in barrier shall not open outside the construction site. This is to prevent situations in which the unexpectedly opened gate could surprise passersby or endanger traffic participants. This request applies to all properties, both private and public.
Additional, very crucial requirements apply to gates for multi-family housing, public utility buildings and collective housing. The doorway must not impede access to the building for people with peculiar needs and its width must be at least 0,9 metres. It is simply a key request to guarantee the free passage of wheelchairs and children's wheelchairs, improving architectural accessibility. In the case of gates, the proposed regulation requires that their width in the light is minimum 2.4 metres. If there is simply a front gate at least 0.9 metres wide, this request is met. It should be remembered that on fire roads there are separate, frequently more restrictive rules.
Not only fences: A revolution in all construction
The fresh regulation is not just changes in the fences. This. comprehensive modernisation of method conditions for buildings that are designed to respond to current technologies and accelerate the investment process. 1 of the biggest innovations will be the work to install photovoltaics or solar panels on public buildings and collective residence, as well as on commercial buildings with an area of more than 250 square metres, where technically and economically justified. This part of the government will come into force a small later – December 31, 2026.
Another crucial change will affect insulation of buildings. The tightening of fire rules will make it impossible to heat larger buildings exclusively with Styrofoam. In thermal insulation will become mandatory Fire barriers of non-combustible mineral wool. Part of the construction manufacture fears that this may increase the cost of thermomodernisation of multi-family buildings even by 10-15%. In the case of residential blocks, there will besides be fresh rules to improve area acoustics and obligation to install elevators in older residential and public buildings. Unfortunately, the construction costs of elevators are likely to fall on the residents, which could entail a crucial financial burden on housing communities.
Prepare for Change: What must you do now?
Whether you're planning a fresh investment or just a insignificant renovation, it is worth reading the fresh regulations now. If your construction work is to start after 20 September 2026, it is essential to include in the task and budget the request to adapt the barrier to fresh requirements. Consultation with an architect or designer can aid you find optimal solutions and estimation costs. Sometimes it is adequate to replace only the advanced part of the barrier to meet fresh standards.
The owners of older barbed wire fences should consider voluntary modernisation, even if they do not plan another works. This will not only increase the safety of householders, animals and passers-bys, but will besides avoid hasty and costly exchanges in the future, erstwhile it abruptly turns out that the planned renovation of the home forces a change of fence. Monitor the follow-up of legislative work on the Government Legislative Centre website to keep up with the final version of the regulation. Do not be amazed – prepare for revolution in construction law today!
Continued here:
Hot fences banned. As of 2026, you will have costly refurbishment of the fence!
