The National Planning and Building Council recommended to the Minister of the Interior that the temporary order for exemption from a permit to construct a safe room in detached homes and two-story buildings be extended. A representative of the Home Front Command revealed at the hearing that since the regulations were approved in October last year, 441 requests for an additional safe room in educational institutions have been submitted.
By Doron Broitman, Nadlan Center
The National Planning and Building Council, headed by Natan Elnatan, recommended that the Minister of the Interior extend the temporary order for exemption from a permit to construct a protected apartment space or safe room (Mamad) for two-story buildings and detached houses. During the discussion, a representative of the Home Front Command presented data showing that since the regulations for exemption from permits were approved, 4,470 requests for an additional safe room in a residential building have been submitted – of which 3,732 have been approved. Also, 441 requests were submitted for an additional safe room in educational institutions.
On 17 October 2023, the National Council for Planning and Building approved a series of decisions to address issues related to Home Front preparedness while establishing regulations exempting permits for safe rooms in detached homes and two-story buildings where the area’s building lines allow the construction of the safe room, by an examination by the plan’s editor.
In addition, the National Council set a fast track for establishing safe rooms nationwide. Due to the security situation and the great urgency of the protection needs of residents, a new national master plan was approved that will enable a fast track for the establishment of safe rooms in all parts of the country (TAMA/40/A/1/1). The new plan is an extension of the National Outline Plan (TAMA 40/A/1) approved in 2019 that applies only to communities along the northern border, enabling an expedited process for protection within 9 km of the northern border.
Establishing a safe room is currently possible under the plan’s provisions applicable to the lot, and any deviation from it requires an easement. The National Outline Plan 40/A/1, which applies to northern communities, allows the establishment of a safe room even in deviation from the provisions of the detailed plans that apply to the lot. With its expansion to all parts of the country, it will be possible anywhere to issue a building permit for the construction of a safe room even if it does not match the listed plan.
The council also approved expanding the regulations to include establishing a safe room in public buildings. The regulations stipulate that on a lot designated for public use, building an additional protected space to an existing public building with an exemption from a building permit will be possible. This is done by restrictions of up to 2 floors high, and the area of the protective space will be up to 30 square meters net. The regulations shall apply, inter alia, to religious buildings, Community centers, clinics, police station buildings, Magen David, offices of local authorities, and more.
