Licensed to Permit – The Self-Licensing Revolution
In recent years, the field of building permits in Israel has undergone a significant transformation, driven by Amendment 134 to the Planning and Building Law (as part of the 2021 Economic Arrangements Law). This amendment introduced a new regulatory track—designed to streamline, simplify, and shorten the permitting process. A key measure within this reform is the certification of experienced architects as "Licensed to Issue Permits"—a new and influential professional designation within Israel’s planning and building system.
What Is a "Licensed-to-Permit" Architect?
A "Licensed-to-Permit" architect is a certified architect who has been authorized by Israel’s Planning Administration and the Registrar of Engineers and Architects to act as an independent permitting authority. These architects are permitted to issue building permits for projects they have personally designed, under clear legal criteria set by the law.
The new regulations, which came into effect in October 2022 (Planning and Building Regulations, Amendment No. 4), allow "Licensed-to-Permit" architects to oversee the entire process—from submitting the permit application to issuing the final occupancy certificate. This bypasses lengthy bureaucratic procedures with the local licensing authorities.
Scope of Authority
Residential Buildings
Projects in which at least 80% of the built area is designated for residential use, including the construction or addition of up to 2 floors and 5 residential units, accompanied by a certified inspection institute.
Public Buildings
Provided the construction is supervised by a certified inspection institute.
In these cases, the licensed architect submits the permit application in accordance with regulatory requirements, issues the permit, and oversees the project through to the issuance of the final completion certificate.
Limitations of Authority
There are certain project types for which a licensed architect may not act as an independent permitting authority, including:
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Projects requiring special-use permits and/or zoning exemptions
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High-rise buildings with a top floor elevation exceeding +29.00 meters above main entry level
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Sites or buildings that require approval from planning bodies other than the local authority, such as:
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Heritage and preservation buildings
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Sites where unanimous consent from all landowners has not been obtained in advance
GMA Architects – Certified to Permit
At GMA Architects, two team members are officially certified as Licensed-to-Permit architects:
Both fully meet the legal and professional requirements and are listed in the official registry of Licensed-to-Permit architects maintained by Israel’s Registrar of Engineers and Architects.
The Advantages of Working with a Licensed-to-Permit Architect
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Significant time savings in the permitting process
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Transparency and professional oversight from start to finish
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Direct collaboration with a single, accountable professional
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Design flexibility, preserving the intent of the original architect without unnecessary delays
At GMA Architects, we combine meticulous, high-quality architectural design with in-depth expertise in regulatory procedures—offering developers a One-Stop-Shop approach from concept to construction.
