From September 20, 2026, new technical requirements will apply to the construction of houses and the arrangement of plots in Poland. The changes tighten standards for fences, gates and sound insulation, but only for newly designed buildings and those undergoing major renovation.
The regulations, reported by „Rzeczpospolita”, raise the minimum height for fences with features like spikes or sharp elements from 1.8 meters to 2.2 meters. „This is meant to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians and animals,” the daily notes.
Gates and wicket gates must now open inwards onto the property and cannot swing out beyond the plot boundary. This increases safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, the minimum width of a wicket gate is set at 90 centimeters to improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Stricter acoustic standards
For multi-family buildings, semi-detached houses, terraced houses and buildings with two separate dwellings, new acoustic requirements will come into force. Buildings will need to meet class AQ acoustic standards, which may require thicker walls, ceilings and partitions between units to limit noise transmission.
These changes apply only to projects where building permits are applied for after the effective date, or to major renovations. Owners of existing homes do not have to adapt their property unless they start significant construction work.
What this means for property owners
Anyone planning a new house or major extension should check the updated regulations with their architect or builder. The new rules on gates and fences are particularly important for plot layouts and driveway design. The acoustic requirements will mainly affect developers and investors in multi-unit housing, potentially increasing construction costs but also improving living comfort.
„The aim is to raise the quality of housing and safety for residents and their neighbors,” – explained a spokesman for the ministry responsible for construction standards. The regulations are part of a broader update to Poland’s technical conditions for buildings, which are revised periodically to align with modern expectations.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/AHatmaker
