Plans and regional and municipal regulations

This page has been automatically translated from French into English by a translation software. Automatic translations are not as accurate as translations made by professional human translators. Nevertheless these pages can help you understand information published by the City of Brussels.

   

The plans of development

The plans of development are plans of orientation. They are indicative, and fix the objectives and the priorities of development for the territories which they cover, that is the Region for the Regional Plan of Development (PRD) and each of the 19 municipalities for 19 Communal development plans (PCD).

Before their definitive adoption, a public inquiry is organized, that ends by a meeting.

For the Brussels Capital-Region, the Regional Plan of Development covers the materials for which the Region is competent, or which contribute to its development. It is in particular about housing, economy, employment, mobility, environment, safety, research, heritage, tourism, trade, culture or the social policy. Published on October 15th, 2001, this PRD articulates around 12 priorities.

For the City of Brussels: the Communal development plan.

Zoning plans

The zoning plans are statutory. They impose upon all, and condition the delivery of the planning permit by determining the type of affectation by zone, by means of maps and literal prescriptions. They can also contain measures relative to the setting-up, the volume and the aesthetics of the constructions, as well as to the communications.

Before their definitive adoption, a public inquiry is organized, that ends with a meeting.

For the Brussels Capital-Region, the Regional Zoning Plans of Grounds (PRAS) came into effect on June 29th, 2001. It covers the total of the territory of the Region of Brussels Capital and determines the general affectation of the various zones of the Region, and any delivery of planning permit has to be in accordance with it. To know the affectation for a plot of land, one can search the complete address on the website of the PRAS.

For the City of Brussels, the Particular Zoning Plans (PPAS) clarify or complete the PRAS by determining particular affectations of specific zones, on the municipal territory. This type of plan is elaborated by the municipality or by the office chosen to do so on its own initiative or at the request of the regional Government. Certain PPAS are on-line, the others can be consulted on inquiry with the Town Planning cell.

The regulations of town planning

The regulations of town planning condition the delivery of the planning permit with regard to diverse measures, other than the affectation.

Before their definitive adoption, a public inquiry is organized, that ends with a meeting.

The regional regulation of town planning

For the Brussels Capital-Region, the regional regulation of town planning, the new version of which came into effect on January 3rd, 2007, contains measures relative to the quality of the constructions and their neighborhoods. It prescribes, in particular, rules relative to the minimal standards of habitability, to the volumes, the access, in advertisements and signboards, to the installation of antennas,...

The General Regulation of the Building of the Town of Brussels (PDF, 1,80MB) (in March 17th, 1976), adopted before the formation of the Region is always valid as regards the prevention measures of fire (title XIII).

The General Regulation on the Buildings of districts surrounding the Square Ambiorix and the Parc du Cinquantenaire (in February 27th, 1992), is again of application since April 29th, 2008. The urbanistic rules are stricter than those for the whole regional territory in order to protect the harmony and architectural characteristics of this zone.

The municipal planning regulations

For the City of Brussels, the municipal planning regulation is, today, in the course of revision.

Other regulations, former or recent, are effective on the municipal territory. The Unit of the Urbanistic Information informs about their application on inquiry. It is in particular about following regulations:

• Solbosch quarter - Regulation on backward building and the building of villas (PDF, 0,03MB) (2 May 1927)
• Municipal regulation on buildings (PDF, 0,26MB) (February 3rd, 1936): this regulation is not applied anymore (further information: town planning information service
• Regulation concerning the pavements (PDF, 0,08MB) (in December 20th, 1963)
• Regulation concerning the games of entertainment and soft porn shows (PDF, 0,09MB) (in April 29th, 1993)
• Regulation concerning the devices of advertising (PDF, 0,96MB) (in December 22nd, 1994)
• Regulation concerning the placement of antennas (PDF, 0,01MB) (in March 5th, 1998)
• Regulation concerning the closure of the commercial shop windows (PDF, 0,01MB) (in March 23rd, 2000)
• Regulation concerning the 'Grand-Place, UNESCO heritage - commercial expression' (26 March 2009). Its goal is to protect and to value constructions on the Grand-Place of Brussels and the surrounding district.
• Regulation concerning Verdun bis (PDF, 0,46MB) (21 January 2012). Regulation for the construction of buildings at the new road between the Rue du Biplan and the bridge of the Rue de Verdun.

Allotment permits also have statutory value