The No. 4 special provision has been reduced! What is the impact of the Building Standards Act amendment?
Posted: May 2025, 4
Enforced in April 2025! Building Standards Act revision
The revision of the Building Standards Act, which will come into effect in April 2025, is said to have a major impact on the rules for constructing homes and buildings.
What is attracting particular attention is the "reduction of the No. 4 special exception."
Here, we will explain in detail the specific impact of the reduction in the No. 4 special provisions, while keeping in mind the background and purpose of the Building Standards Act amendment.
Purpose and intent of the amendment
This amendment to the Building Standards Act isImproving housing safety and standardizing the quality of design and constructionThe purpose is
Until now, small wooden houses and other structures that were subject to the "Special Provision No. 4" were exempt from some of the confirmation applications.
However, the exemption has led to flaws in design and construction, raising many concerns about earthquake resistance and safety.
In particular, it is problematic that without the involvement of architects, design and construction standards are not followed, increasing the risk of violations of laws and regulations.
Therefore, this amendment will reduce the special exception in item 4 and require more buildings to be designed and inspected by experts.
The aim is to eliminate variation in housing quality and ensure the safety and security of residents.
What is the No. 4 Exception?
What is the No. 4 Exception?
The "Special Exception No. 4" is a system based on Article 6 of the Building Standards Act, which refers to a measure that partially exempts small buildings, such as wooden detached houses, from building inspections.
Specifically, it has been permitted to proceed with construction work even without an architect's design.
Previously, this special provision had the advantage of reducing the time and costs required for design and confirmation applications, making it easier to build a house.
The role of the No. 4 exception
The No. 4 special provision was introduced primarily to revitalize the housing market and promote the spread of wooden houses.
The special provisions simplified the procedures for building confirmation, creating an environment that makes it easier for even small and medium-sized construction companies to enter the market.
As a result, it has become relatively easy for individuals to build their own homes, and the system has become an important part of supporting local housing supply.
However, the lack of a need for confirmation applications has made it difficult to check quality, resulting in a host of issues, including violations of laws and regulations, construction errors, and even safety issues.
Against this background, there was an increasing need for a review.
Summary of the legal reform: Reduction of the No. 4 special provisions
The revision to the Building Standards Act, which will come into effect in April 2025, will significantly narrow the scope of application of the No. 4 exception.
As a result, there will be an increasing number of cases where construction plans for wooden houses and other buildings, which previously did not require confirmation applications, will now be required to be designed by an architect and confirmation applications will be required.
Specifically, the following changes will be made:
・Even for two-story wooden houses, confirmation application is required depending on the floor area and structure.・Strengthened inspections of structural safety will be carried out for buildings of less than 500 square meters, which were previously subject to the law.
・Expanding the scope of requirements for confirmation by architects
This will increase the number of building inspection procedures and require the involvement of experts from the design stage onwards.
Impact of the reduction in the No. 4 special exemption on real estate transactions
When buying and selling real estate, more rigorous checks are required regarding the property's legal compliance and safety.
When preparing an important matters explanation document, it is necessary to provide detailed information on whether a confirmation application has been filed, the contents of the design by the architect, and the compliance status.
Furthermore, as the confirmation application procedures become more complicated, the workload will increase, especially for small and medium-sized construction companies and real estate businesses, and they will be required more than ever to establish systems for complying with laws and regulations.
If you are not familiar with preparing and reviewing documents, there is a risk that application procedures with the government will be delayed, which could lead to delays in transactions and construction.
My Feelings, Then and Now
The amendment to the Building Standards Act, which will come into effect in April 2025, will be an important amendment aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of buildings by reducing the Special Provision No. 4.
However, on the other hand, procedures for building permit applications and designs will become more complicated, which is expected to have a major impact on the construction and real estate industries.
When buying or selling real estate, it is essential to fully understand the content of the legal reforms, accurately grasp whether or not building confirmation has been obtained for each property and the design status, and properly reflect this in the important information document.
By quickly responding to changes due to legal amendments and providing accurate information and preparing documents, it is possible to ensure the safety and reliability of transactions.
