The Lands and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU) said in a statement yesterday that voluntary removals of illegal structures have more than doubled in the first half of this year compared with the same period of last year, as the bureau continued to streamline demolition procedures while stepping up inspections and enforcement.
The bureau opened 433 cases involving illegal structures during the first six months of the year, the statement said, adding that it also recorded 533 voluntary demolition cases, more than double the 241 cases registered throughout 2025.
The bureau attributed the increase to regular inspections, stronger public awareness campaigns and improvements to administrative procedures aimed at encouraging compliance, the statement noted, adding that during the same period, 59 cases resulted in fines for illegal structures, with total penalties amounting to around 2.87 million patacas.
Another nine cases remained unpaid after the deadline and will be subject to compulsory recovery procedures, according to the statement.
The statement noted that enforcement efforts will continue to prioritise newly built, renovated or dilapidated structures, as well as buildings that have recently been issued occupancy permits, reminding residents not to carry out unauthorised construction works, pointing out that illegal structures could pose safety risks and affect the community.
Following amendments to the Urban Construction Legal Regime*, certain categories of voluntary demolition no longer require prior notification to the bureau, the statement noted, underlining that the exemption applies to demolition work lasting no more than five days involving non-structural internal additions, façade structures with a maximum height of less than nine metres above ground, as well as ground-level walls, fences or illegal structures covering no more than 10 square metres.
According to the statement, residents are required to notify the bureau in writing after completing demolition so the bureau can verify the work and close the case. The amended legislation also includes incentives that reduce penalties for offenders who voluntarily remove illegal structures, the statement said.
The bureau said that residents can find information on demolition procedures and illegal structure statistics on its website and encouraged the public to comply with building regulations to help create a safer and more comfortable living environment.
*The Urban Construction Legal Regime (Law No. 14/2021 / 《都市建築法律制度》) is Macau’s primary statutory framework governing building construction, licensing, property maintenance, and illegal structures. It replaced the outdated General Regulation of Urban Construction (Decree-Law No. 79/85/M) to address modern urban development, building safety, and administrative efficiency. – Gemini
This undated handout photo provided by the Lands and Urban Construction Services Bureau (DSSCU) yesterday shows the demolition of an illegal rooftop hut in the Praia Grande area.
