Decree 1448 of 2026: automatic extension of urban planning permits and measures for buildings affected by the earthquake

Key dates

1. August 10, 2026

   The earthquake strikes, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar (Chocó). Permits in force on that date, in the departments listed, are those that benefit from the extension.

2. August 11, 2026

   Through Decree 1171, the national government declares a national disaster situation for twelve months, extendable for up to an equal period, subject to a favorable opinion from the National Risk Management Council.

3. September 28, 2026

   Decree 1448 is issued and takes effect the day after its publication.

What does the decree seek to do?

According to its recitals, the earthquake caused the collapse of buildings and homes and damaged the structures of residential, commercial and institutional constructions. It also affected the execution of works authorized under permits in force, since companies, workers, material suppliers and investors had to devote time and resources to urgent needs.

On those grounds, the decree extends the validity of permits so that the authorized works can be completed. It also seeks to ensure that rebuilt buildings have better safety conditions and to speed up the recovery of the affected municipalities and districts.

Which territories does it apply to?

The decree does not list municipalities. The scope depends on each measure:

Automatic twelve-month extensionArt. 1

Permits in force on August 10, 2026 in the departments of Antioquia, Bolívar, Caldas, Caquetá, Cauca, Chocó, Cundinamarca, Huila, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Quindío, Risaralda, Santander, Sucre, Tolima and Valle del Cauca.

Amendments on structural reinforcement, demolition and reconstructionArt. 2

They amend the text of article 2.2.6.1.1.7 of Decree 1077 of 2015 with no territorial limitation and no transitional nature. The exception to the demolition permit applies in areas where a disaster situation or public calamity is declared.

Transitional paragraphs on documentsArts. 3 and 4

Buildings affected by the earthquake of August 10, 2026 anywhere in the national territory.

Automatic extension of permits

What it coversArt. 1

The validity of urban planning permits, their extensions, revalidations or extensions of revalidations that were in force on August 10, 2026 in the departments listed is extended for a term of twelve months.

How it works

The extension applies automatically, with no need for any additional procedures.

Extensions and revalidations

The extension does not prevent obtaining the extensions or revalidations allowed under the regulatory framework.

Amendments to the construction permit categories

Article 2 amends items 6, 7 and 8 of article 2.2.6.1.1.7 of Decree 1077 of 2015.

Structural reinforcementItem 6

To grant this permit, it will only be verified that the application was properly filed and that the reinforcement meets the requirements of Law 400 of 1997, its implementing decrees and the Colombian Seismic-Resistant Construction Regulation. When processed without any other category, its issuance will not imply approval of uses or authorization to carry out works other than the reinforcement. Nor will it imply the urban planning recognition of the building, which must be processed afterwards.

ReconstructionItem 8

It remains the authorization to rebuild buildings that held a permit or recognition act and were affected by any loss event, under the same approved conditions. Reconstruction must comply with the seismic-resistance rules in force at the time the permit application is filed.

Restrictions on reinforcement and reconstruction

• They are not allowed on environmental protection land or land subject to the land-use planning determinants of item 1 of article 10 of Law 388 of 1997, unless the instruments that regulate or develop these areas allow it.
• They are not allowed in areas declared as high non-mitigable risk.
• Where the property is located in areas of medium or high threat or risk from mass movements, flooding or other geotechnical or hydrological phenomena, the feasibility of the intervention and the mitigation measures must first be demonstrated through the required detailed studies.

Information from the SNGRDItem 8

In the context of a disaster situation or public calamity, the entities of the National Disaster Risk Management System may generate, supply or integrate technical information to assess the safety conditions of the territory. That information is guiding and supplementary in nature, and does not replace the technical studies or the requirements of the regulations in force for the authorization, use or occupation of land.

DemolitionItem 7

In areas where a disaster situation or public calamity is declared, a demolition permit will not be required, provided that the order referred to in articles 77 and 78 of Law 1523 of 2012 has been issued. Demolitions must be carried out with the support and planning of the relevant professionals and after adopting the necessary safety measures.

Transitional measures for buildings affected by the earthquake

Reinforcement in condominiums without a meeting minuteArt. 3

A minute of the general assembly of owners will not be required to process construction permits for structural reinforcement of buildings or complexes subject to the horizontal property regime that were affected by the earthquake of August 10, 2026. The application may be filed by the legal representative of the horizontal property entity, who must prove their capacity and provide a signed statement indicating that the action corresponds to the structural reinforcement of the affected building or complex.

Reconstruction with the original permit documentsArt. 4

For reconstruction permits for buildings collapsed or affected by the earthquake, the documents of article 2.2.6.3.8 will not need to be submitted. The plans and other documents on file in the permit or recognition act will be used as the basis, and only the additional technical documentation needed to prove compliance with the seismic-resistance rules in force at the time of filing will be attached.

Points that may interest you

Departments in article 1

The list of departments for the automatic extension does not match that of the disaster declaration in Decree 1171 cited in the recitals: it includes Bolívar, Caquetá, Nariño, Santander and Sucre, and does not include Putumayo.

Urban planning recognition

The structural reinforcement permit does not imply the urban planning recognition of the building, which must be processed afterwards.

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