On Tuesday, March 31, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to the Construction Regulations for Electronic Communications Engineering Structures. These amendments will facilitate the consolidation and dismantling of external electronic communications engineering networks, reducing bureaucratic barriers and costs for both telecom operators and real estate developers.

The amendments prepared by the Ministry of Economics will allow, in cases where no safety risks exist, the dismantling of first-group engineering structures (such as overhead electronic communications lines and connections) and electronic communications equipment containers without construction design documentation.

“Currently, building owners face significant constraints—they are required to dismantle existing overhead lines, which until now required a construction design. This involved additional time and costs and delayed other works, such as façade renovation, building reconstruction, or new construction. The developed amendments will change the procedure in situations where no safety risks are involved,” explains Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis.

To accelerate the design process, a new “engineering network layout scheme” is being introduced. This is a visually structured compilation of orthophoto maps, red lines, and cadastral data, which in cases of dismantling overhead lines will replace expensive and time-consuming topographic plans.

The amendments also provide for the retention and consolidation of overhead lines. A key innovation is the right to renew and reconstruct legally built overhead lines while maintaining them as overhead infrastructure, provided their capacity is not increased and approval from the local building authority is obtained. This regulation is particularly important to prevent situations where requirements to move all lines underground result in disproportionate costs. The previous framework often delayed investment projects, including façade and roof renovations, as property owners were burdened with high costs for relocating overhead lines.

The draft amendments are part of a broader government action plan to reduce administrative burden in the real estate development sector. The changes will enter into force on August 1, 2026, allowing construction process participants to prepare in advance and enabling corresponding adjustments to the Construction Information System.

Public Relations Department
Ministry of Economics
Email: san@em.gov.lv