CIR 02/26 | Repeal of original Sanitary Regulations
The Kamra tal-Periti wishes to bring to the attention of all periti that the original sanitary regulations forming part of the Code of Police Laws were repealed through Legal Notice 99 of 2026.
The repeal brings to an end the legal uncertainty brought about when S.L.552.22 – Development Planning (Health and Sanitary) Regulations – were brought into force on 10th June 2016 without concurrently deleting the relative provisions in the Code of Police Laws.
The repealed sections of the Code of Police Laws through the aforementioned legal notice concerned (see end of circular – print version for full repealed legal text):
- minimum internal clear heights [Art 97.1(d)];
- provision of natural light and ventilation requirement, including passive vents [Art 97.1(e)];
- street-width-to-building-height ratios [Art 97.1(l)];
- backyard and internal yard dimensions [Art 97.1(n)(i) – (n)(iv)];
- requirement to file for permission from the Superintendent of Public Health prior to carrying out works [Art 97.1(o)(iv)];
- use of artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation (Art 99);
- use of basements for habitation (Art 107 & 108);
- formation of ventilation shafts in pavements to ventilate cellars (Art 109);
- sanitary licensing requirements for the occupation of apartment blocks (Art 110);
- overcrowding parameters (Art 112);
- restriction on letting overcrowded units (Art 113);
- exemption from observance of sanitary regulations for agricultural or husbandry facilities.
Periti are to note that this legal notice will not bring about any practical changes other than to provide legal certainty to professionals and their clients on which laws and regulations are applicable in the design of buildings.
Repealed Text from Cap 10 in the print version
