Morocco’s House of Representatives approved on Monday Bill No. 34.21, which amends and supplements Law No. 25.90 governing real estate subdivisions, residential developments, and land partitioning, as part of efforts to modernize the legal framework regulating urban planning and housing.
The bill was approved by 120 members of parliament, while 50 lawmakers abstained. No votes were cast against the proposal. The reform aims to align existing legislation with the country’s urban and economic developments over recent decades.
Presenting the bill, Secretary of State for Housing Adib Benbrahim said the initiative is part of implementing recommendations stemming from the National Dialogue on Urban Planning and Housing, and reflects efforts to improve the effectiveness of the legal framework governing the sector.
Under the proposed amendments, project completion deadlines will vary according to the size and nature of developments, ranging from three years for projects under 20 hectares to fifteen years for projects exceeding 400 hectares.
The bill also includes provisions aimed at strengthening public facilities and infrastructure within housing developments, while establishing procedures for their automatic transfer to municipal public ownership following the provisional acceptance of development works.
In addition, the legislation seeks to simplify administrative procedures and shorten authorization timelines in order to facilitate project implementation and support investment. It also introduces legal mechanisms to address urgent social situations, including the rehousing of people affected by natural disasters and measures related to inadequate housing.
During parliamentary discussions, majority groups said the reform reflects Morocco’s economic, social, and urban transformations while seeking a balance between encouraging investment and protecting the public interest. Opposition groups, meanwhile, stressed the importance of maintaining legal safeguards and oversight mechanisms linked to public interest and the right to adequate housing.