The Government of Georgia plans to tighten penalties for unauthorized construction, reconstruction, and demolition works, as well as for breaches of construction safety regulations. The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development has submitted a draft law on amendments to the Code of Product Safety and Free Movement to Parliament, proposing a substantial increase in fines across several categories.
Under the current legislation, fines vary depending on the location. For example, breaching construction safety rules in cultural heritage protection zones, resort and recreational areas, or within the city of Tbilisi is currently punishable by a fine of 30,000 GEL. The same offense in self-governing cities or municipal areas carries a significantly smaller penalty - in some cases as low as 500 GEL. The government’s initiative aims to standardize and increase these penalties to ensure stricter compliance and improve public safety in construction practices.
According to the draft amendments, unauthorized construction, reconstruction, or demolition works that do not alter the dimensions of a building, as well as illegal modifications to engineering and utility networks, will be subject to a fine of 4,000 GEL. Violations of construction safety rules will carry a fine of 30,000 GEL, while abandoning an active construction site without proper procedure will result in a 10,000 GEL fine.
Furthermore, failure to comply with the permit conditions outlined in construction documentation or with applicable construction regulations will lead to a fine of 20,000 GEL. The Ministry emphasizes that the proposed changes are intended to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, enhance construction safety standards, and prevent unauthorized building activities across the country.
