On May 7, 2025, an amendment to the Law on Planning and Spatial Development came into effect, which introduces significant changes to the planning procedure for municipalities. The main change is the extension of the deadline for the adoption of general urban development plans (POGs) until June 30, 2026.This is key information for investors, planners and local governments, affecting the further development of theinwestycji budowlanych w Polsce.

• May 7, 2025. – Effective date of the amended law.
• June 30, 2026. – Deadline for all municipalities to adopt general plans.

  The extension of the deadline is intended to allow municipalities to diligently prepare planning documents and conduct the necessary public consultations, which is crucial for ensuring spatial order and effective management of local development.

Drafting a municipal general plan is a multi-stage planning process that lays the foundation for future land use. In accordance with the Law of March 27, 2003 on Spatial Planning and Development and the Decree of the Minister of Development and Technology of December 8, 2023 on the draft general plan of a municipality, the procedure involves several key stages:

• Accession to the drafting of the general plan – the municipality adopts a resolution to proceed with the drafting of the general plan, defining the scope and boundaries of the study area.
• Development of a draft general plan – preparation of a draft plan, taking into account spatial, environmental, social and economic conditions.
• Public consultation – holding consultations with residents and interested parties to collect comments and opinions on the draft plan.
• Agreements and opinions – obtaining the required agreements and opinions from the authorities competent in the field of environmental protection, public health, technical infrastructure, etc.
• Adoption of the general plan – after taking into account the submitted comments and obtaining the necessary opinions, the municipal council adopts the general plan, which becomes an act of local law.

According to Article 67(4) of the Law on Spatial Planning and Development, without an enacted general plan, after January 1, 2026, it will not be possible to enact a new or amended existing local plan or issue a zoning decision. The extension of the deadline to June 30, 2026 allows municipalities to continue planning work without the risk of investment paralysis.

For investors, this means the possibility of continuing investment procedures under existing rules until mid-2026, which provides stability and predictability in investment planning. The additional time will allow municipalities to develop plans more accurately, conduct public consultations more efficiently, and avoid potential problems associated with the lack of enacted planning documents.