HÉSZ

Helyi Építési Szabályzat, abbreviated as HÉSZ, is the local building regulation used by Hungarian municipalities to govern construction and land use within their territory. It implements national planning and building regulations in a way that reflects local conditions and policy goals. The HÉSZ sets concrete rules that apply alongside broader legal standards, providing the primary framework for how parcels may be developed and used.

A HÉSZ typically contains provisions on land-use categories, permissible building types, and the location of structures on a parcel. It regulates building heights and volumes, setbacks from streets and property boundaries, lot coverage, and overall density. It may include rules related to facade treatment, architectural features, preservation of streetscapes, and the protection of historic or environmentally sensitive areas. Other common elements address public spaces, access and parking requirements, infrastructure needs, and environmental or landscape considerations.

The legal basis for a HÉSZ lies in national planning and construction laws and the municipality’s own planning strategy. A HÉSZ is drafted by the local government, often in coordination with planning authorities, and adopted by the municipal council. Changes to the HÉSZ follow formal procedures, including consultation, publication, and official enactment. Once in force, the HÉSZ guides permit decisions, project design, and enforcement actions, and it may be amended to reflect evolving planning priorities or changes in the local context.

Relation to other instruments: the HÉSZ works in conjunction with zoning plans and other town-planning tools. While a zoning plan designates where different uses are allowed, the HÉSZ provides the specific construction and design requirements within those zones, shaping how development complies with local policy.

See also: településrendezési terv, beépítési előírások, építésügyi hatóság.