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CIR 06/25 | Sanitary Regulation tolerances in Minor Amendment Applications

1. Purpose

This Circular serves to notify members of an important procedural update communicated to the Council of the Kamra tal-Periti by the Executive Chairperson of the Planning Authority. This update forms part of broader discussions on regulatory efficiency and the streamlining of policies and regulations currently being held between the Kamra tal-Periti (KTP) and the Planning Authority (PA), as well as between the National Building Council (NBC) and the PA.

 

This Circular is to be read alongside Directive DIR 05/25 on the reporting of measurements in compliance checks.

 

2. Procedural Update on Tolerances in Sanitary Regulations

The Planning Authority has adopted a new internal procedure concerning the application of the Development Planning (Health and Sanitary) Regulations (S.L. 552.22).

  • Under regulation 4, the Planning Authority may, at its discretion, permit dimensions that are lower than those stipulated, provided that compensatory measures are in place which achieve an equivalent sanitary outcome.
  • Examples of compensatory measures include the provision of a larger external aperture in lieu of a smaller aperture originally specified.
  • This internal procedure applies only in the processing of minor amendment applications – that is, applications filed by periti to amend a planning permit so as to reflect the as-built situation.
  • As part of this procedure:
    • Discrepancies of up to 2cm may be processed directly by planning officers.
    • Discrepancies greater than 2cm will be escalated and decided upon at Director grade or higher.

 

3. Important Clarifications

Periti are reminded of two key points:

  1. This tolerance procedure applies exclusively to the sanitary regulations contained within S.L. 552.22, and only within the specific context of minor amendment applications. It does not extend to other planning regulations, policies, or application types.
  2. Proposed drawings submitted with planning applications must continue to conform fully with the prescribed regulations. The discretion allowed under this internal procedure relates solely to the assessment of as-built minor amendment applications and does not in any way diminish the requirement for conformity at the original application stage.

 

Conclusion

Members are to take careful note of this update in their professional practice. The Kamra will continue to engage with the Planning Authority and the NBC to ensure that these procedures are applied consistently, transparently, and fairly across all cases, and that further progress is made in streamlining and improving the regulatory process.

 

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DIR 05/25 | On the Reporting of Measurements in Compliance Checks

1. Purpose

This Directive establishes a uniform standard for the rounding and reporting of measurements by members of the profession when carrying out compliance checks against statutory requirements or regulatory provisions. The purpose is to ensure consistency, clarity, and alignment with the units and precision specified in the applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

 

2. Scope

This Directive applies to all periti undertaking compliance checks, inspections, or certifications where reference is made to dimensional or quantitative requirements established in Maltese law, subsidiary legislation, or official policy documents.

 

3. Principle of Alignment with Regulation

  1. Measurements reported in compliance checks shall have the same number of decimal places as prescribed in the referring regulation, policy, or statutory instrument.
  2. Where the regulation specifies two decimal places, the measurement shall be reported to two decimal places, irrespective of the precision of the measuring instrument.
  3. Where the regulation specifies a single decimal place, the measurement shall be reported to a single decimal place.
  4. Where no decimal points are specified in the regulations, the measurement shall be reported to two decimal places.

 Example A:

 Example B:

    • Sub-regulation 16(1) of the same Regulations prescribes distances in backyards and internal yards to one decimal place in its tabulated provisions. Accordingly, all reported measurements of such distances shall be rounded and reported to one decimal place.

 Example C:

    • Sub-regulation 12(a) of the same Regulations prescribes that the minimum cumulative external aperture of habitable spaces in text with no reference to any decimal places. In such cases, all reported measurements of such distances shall be rounded and reported to two decimal places.

4. Rounding Convention

  1. The Kamra tal-Periti is hereby adopting the rounding convention known as “rounding half away from zero” (commercial rounding).
  2. Under this system:
    • Values equidistant between two representable numbers shall be rounded to the nearest value away from zero.
  3. For clarity:
    • Measurements between 2.591m and 2.594m shall be rounded down to 2.59m.
    • Measurements between 2.595m and 2.599m shall be rounded up to 2.60m.

 

5. Application and Effective Date

  1. All compliance reports, including valuation reports and bank forms, submitted by periti after the date of effect of this Directive shall conform to the above principles.
  2. This Directive shall enter into force on 1st September 2025.

 

Perit André Pizzuto
President

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UPDATED ON 29/08/2025 TO INCLUDE FOR SITUATIONS WHERE NO DECIMAL PLACES ARE SPECIFIED.
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CIR 17/20 | World Architecture Day 2020 – Towards a Better Urban Future

Dear Perit,

Today, the Kamra tal-Periti joins its European and global counterparts in celebrating World Architecture Day, which this year is based on the theme “Towards a Better Urban Future”.

In 1986, the International Union of Architects (UIA) established World Architecture Day to coincide with World Habitat Day, with the aim to draw the attention of professionals and the public to issues concerning cities and housing. This year’s celebration comes amidst the global coronavirus pandemic which has caused us all to make changes to our lifestyles, and has compelled us to question many of our ways, not least our urban environment and the design of our buildings, and how these support and impact our quality of life.

This year’s theme brings to the fore a number of issues that are relevant to our current reality. Most schools will be reopening today, welcoming our younger generations to a new reality which will take some time to adapt to. Many of our elderly are isolated in care homes, while others are left wondering how often they can see and embrace their grandchildren now that these are returning to their school benches. Various offices have resorted to teleworking practices in an effort to contain the spread of the virus and to protect their staff, while other workers who do not have the option to work from home face daily struggles to ensure their own safety and that of their families. All of these activities take place in buildings and urban spaces, designed and created by architects, engineers, and planners, whose responsibility in shaping our future is crucial – for indeed it is a responsibility, and a privilege, to be able to contribute to the future of our country in such a lasting manner.

This Day cannot, therefore, go by without a reflection on how our profession is contributing towards a better urban environment. Are we being of service to society, seeking the common good, or are we serving other masters for more immediate benefits? This brings to mind the seminal Encyclical Laudato Sí, penned by Pope Francis five years ago, where he stated that “If architecture reflects the spirit of an age, our megastructures and drab apartment blocks express the spirit of globalized technology, where a constant flood of new products coexists with a tedious monotony. Let us refuse to resign ourselves to this, and continue to wonder about the purpose and meaning of everything. Otherwise we would simply legitimate the present situation and need new forms of escapism to help us endure the emptiness.”

How are we going to rise to the challenge to help our communities recover and rebuild? How are we going to ensure that what we design today is adaptable to future realities, while keeping the persons who inhabit our buildings and use our spaces at the centre of our design ethos? Are we ready to safeguard our common home in an effort to ensure the resilience of our future generations?

This is not just a lofty ideal. This is a duty, and a commitment we must all acknowledge.

Yours sincerely,

Simone Vella Lenicker
President

 

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CIR 16/20 | Various Updates

Through this Circular, the Council of the Kamra tal-Periti would like to bring to your attention a number of matters, as follows:

1. Call for Court Experts

The Courts of Justice are in the process of renewing the list of architects and civil engineers that may be nominated as experts by the Courts. The Kamra tal-Periti invites those periti who are interested in providing their services to submit their details by no later than the 5th October 2020 at this link.

 

2. Periti Warranting Board

As reported by the Kamra on 23rd September 2020, the Electoral Commission notifies that it has duly received 2 (two) nominations from periti interested in sitting on the Periti Warranting Board, namely:

 

Grech Alfred    404054M         6, Triq San Pawl, Attard

Zammit Ivan    120475M         ‘Rivendell’, 81, Triq San Mikiel, Zurrieq

 

All periti are entitled to vote in a secret ballot for not more that one candidate.  Voting will take place on Friday 2nd October 2020, between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm (uninterruptedly) at the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Blk A – Boardroom, Francesco Buonamici Street, Floriana.

To vote, every perit must present his/her ID Card or another official photo identity document.  The voter must mark a cross (X) in the box on the ballot paper next to the name of not more than one (1) candidate. Counting of votes shall take place immediately upon closure of the poll.

 

3. Legal Notice 374 of 2020 – Amendment to Sanitary Regulations

Through the coming into force of Legal Notice 374 of 2020, the minimum clear internal height of parking levels is now 2.10m.

 

4. Legal Notice 375 of 2020 – Amendment to Regularisation Regulations

Regulation 7 regarding the expiry date and increase in fees for the Regularisation Regulations has been repealed with immediate effect through Legal Notice 375 of 2020. This means that the cut-off date has been removed, and the fees will not be increasing as previously established.

 

5. Notification re membership expiry

A number of periti have received automated messages from our website regarding membership expiry. We are looking into the matter with our IT support. Kindly note that membership ends on 31st December of each year. You can verify the status of your membership by logging into your profile on the website.

The automated email is meant to serve as a reminder to periti to plan for their renewal, as well as to inform them about the 20% discount for those who renew before 31st January. We are working on correcting the automated message and apologise for any inconvenience.

 

6. Premises for rent

The premises of the Malta Federation of Professional Associations (MFPA), of which the Kamra tal-Periti is a member, includes a shop which is currently vacant.

 

The area of the shop is circa 40 sqm.  It comprises one large front room overlooking the main road,  and a second room comprising toilet with shower. This shop is air conditioned. The premises can also be leased as an office/clinic but this can be discussed with the interested party/ parties. The rent for the first 2 years is €15/day.  Rent will increase to €17/day for the following two years and to €20/day for the fifth year.  Agreement  will be for 5 years, with one year notice to end or continue the lease agreement.

Any interested persons are requested to contact the Federation on 99471287 or via email info@mfpa.org.mt.

 

 

Yours sincerely,

Simone Vella Lenicker
President

 

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