Which types of construction projects are exempt from building permits starting July 1, 2026?

Which 8 categories of construction projects are exempt from building permits starting July 1, 2026? (Illustrative image: nhandan.vn)

The amended Construction Law was officially passed by the National Assembly with a majority of votes on the afternoon of December 10, 2025. The law will come into effect on July 1, 2026.

One of the key new features of the law is the expansion of the eight categories of construction projects exempt from building permits, including projects under special public investment projects and individual houses under seven stories.

Specifically, the 8 categories of construction projects that are exempt from building permits are:

1) State secret projects; urgent and emergency construction projects; projects under special public investment projects; projects under investment projects subject to special investment procedures; temporary construction projects as prescribed in this Law; construction projects in areas of land used for national defense and security purposes as prescribed by land law;

2) Projects under public investment projects whose investment and construction are decided by the Prime Minister, the heads of central agencies of political organizations, the Supreme People's Procuracy , the Supreme People's Court, the State Audit Office, the Office of the President, the Office of the National Assembly, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, central agencies of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and of socio-political organizations, and the Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels;

3) Linear construction projects located in areas spanning two or more provincial-level administrative units; linear construction projects outside areas designated for urban development, as determined by urban and rural planning or detailed sectoral planning approved by competent state agencies or with approved route plans by competent authorities;

4) Offshore structures belonging to offshore construction investment projects for which competent authorities have allocated sea areas for project implementation; airports, airport facilities, and facilities ensuring flight operations outside airports;

5) Advertising structures that are not subject to construction permit requirements under the law on advertising; passive telecommunications infrastructure;

6) Construction works belonging to an investment project that has had its feasibility study report and revised feasibility study report appraised by the specialized construction agency and approved according to regulations.

7) Construction projects of level IV, individual houses with a scale of less than 7 floors and a total construction floor area of less than 500m² and not located in one of the following areas: Functional areas, urban development areas identified in the city's general plan; functional areas, rural residential areas, urban development areas identified in the general plan of the province, city, general plan of the economic zone, national tourism zone; construction areas identified in the general plan of the commune; areas with existing architectural management regulations;

8) Repair and renovation works inside or outside of buildings not adjacent to urban roads that require architectural management according to regulations of competent state agencies; the repair and renovation work must not change the purpose and function of the building, must not affect the structural safety of the building, and must ensure fire safety, environmental protection, and connectivity with technical infrastructure.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh stated that the government's guiding decree will simplify construction permit procedures as much as possible.

According to Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh, this procedure is conducted entirely online, with an expected maximum processing time of 7-10 days. This helps reduce time and costs by at least 30%, as required by the Government. In addition, the Government will introduce regulations to increase the responsibility of design consultants in ensuring the safety of construction projects.

According to the People's Army Newspaper

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nhung-cong-trinh-nao-duoc-mien-giay-phep-xay-dung-tu-ngay-1-7-2026-271458.htm