Save home, more space for free building. Yes to bioclimatic pergolas

The catalogue of free building is getting longer. And it includes, with an eagerly awaited clarification, another piece: that of bioclimatic pergolas, i.e. structures with a roof composed of adjustable slats, capable of protecting against atmospheric agents such as rain or sun.

The novelty comes with one of the amendments (reformulation of a proposal by the League) voted on Thursday 11 July by the Environment Committee of the Chamber of Deputies in the law converting thesave-home decree (Dl n. 69/2024, rapporteurs Dario Iaia, Fratelli d'Italia, and Erica Mazzetti, Forza Italia). The text, after these initial filings, is destined to undergo other changes: among others, the chapters on tolerances, habitability requirements for buildings and the Save Milan (see 'Il Sole 24 Ore' of 12 July) have not yet been addressed. The timetable calls for a voting session on Monday afternoon, before proceeding on Tuesday morning and closing in committee, with a view to its arrival in the House on Wednesday.

Erica Mazzetti of Forza Italia speaks precisely of 'Save Milan'. Explaining that it is 'a necessary intervention', but one that must be tackled 'without prejudicing other situations'. The reference is to the transitional period that, in the latest drafts circulated, is still ill-defined and risks creating a regulatory hole of at least six months, during which new works could be blocked. "Until the end of the indicated time,' he says, 'no administration will issue a building permit'. Alternatively, 'we are proposing to leave everything unchanged for the issuing of building permits until the six months are over, so that there is no worrying regulatory hole'.

Returning to free building, the first version of the measure had already retouched the list, contained in the Consolidated Building Law (Presidential Decree no. 380/2001), of works that do not require any permit or communication to be carried out. Within that catalogue, a specific entry had been added, dedicated to the universe of awnings. This is an area in which considerable jurisprudence has accumulated in recent years, focused on identifying, on a case-by-case basis, the authorisations required to construct these artefacts.

Salva casa's aim, on this point, was to provide clarity, composing a broad and precise list of works that do not require authorisation; it must be said that many have doubts about the effectiveness, in terms of reducing uncertainties and litigation, of such a list. In it, however, there are blinds, awnings, outdoor blinds but, until now, bioclimatic pergolas were not mentioned, i.e. those structures equipped with adjustable slats, designed to protect people from the weather. Structures on which many rulings have focused. The approved amendment provides that pergola awnings, including bioclimatic ones, with retractable canvas can be built without any permit.