Do you have a gate at your house? From 2026, the state may order it to be redone
Does it open onto the sidewalk, does it have spikes or is the gate too narrow? From 2026, even an “ordinary” gate may be considered illegal. New construction law regulations will affect thousands of home owners – and mistakes may result in a reconstruction order and high costs. Check if your property is on the problem list before the council does.
- No more “outside” gates. The sidewalk and street must be clear
- Spikes, spearheads, barbed wire? Only high – and with exceptions
- The wicket must be wider. Accessibility comes to single-family homes
- Will it be necessary to tear down old fences? Here’s the catch
- The mandate is just the beginning. What are the penalties for breaking the regulations?
- What to do now, before the regulations come into force?
It seems like a small thing, but it can cost thousands of zlotys. From 2026 construction law introduces sharp changes regarding gates, wickets and fenceswhich will affect hundreds of thousands of owners of single-family houses. Today’s popular solutions – a gate opening onto the sidewalk, a narrow gate or spikes low above the ground – may no longer be acceptable. And this means not only problems with acceptance, but also demolition orders.
We check what exactly will change and who will be covered by the new regulations.
No more “outside” gates. The sidewalk and street must be clear
The biggest and most noticeable change?
The gate or wicket will not be able to open beyond the plot boundary – neither on the sidewalk, nor on the street, nor even on the internal road.
This is the final end of solutions used on narrow plots, where the gate wing was “saved” by public space. From 2026:
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the entire wing must fit within the property,
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it won’t matter that “it’s been like this for years”,
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the “lack of space” argument will no longer be relevant.
The legislator leaves no doubt: the safety of pedestrians and cyclists takes priority.
Spikes, spearheads, barbed wire? Only high – and with exceptions
The rules regarding sharp fence elements are also changing. From 2026:
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spikes, metal points and barbed wire
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will be able to be assembled only from a minimum height 2.2 m above the ground.
The existing limits were considered insufficient – especially in the context of children, animals and bystanders. Low-mounted safeguards may be considered real threatand, as a result, illegal.
Exceptions are provided only for facilities of a special nature, e.g. critical infrastructure. Private properties do not include them.
The wicket must be wider. Accessibility comes to single-family homes
The new regulations strongly emphasize accessibility. In practice this means that:
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it must have a gate minimum 90 cm wide,
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the design should limit thresholds and obstacles,
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the opening method cannot constitute a barrier.
This is a big problem for ready-made house designs and older fence concepts. A narrow gate “as before” may no longer pass at the design stage.
Will it be necessary to tear down old fences? Here’s the catch
Good news: the law does not apply retroactively. If the gate and fence are already standing and not being moved, they do not need to be replaced immediately.
The bad news: everything changes when:
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you are replacing a gate or wicket,
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you are modernizing the fence,
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you are rebuilding the entrance,
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you are expanding your house after 2026.
Any such interference means obligation to adapt to new regulations – no exceptions.
The mandate is just the beginning. What are the penalties for breaking the regulations?
Construction supervision will gain a clear basis for action. In practice this may mean:
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refusal to accept the investment,
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order for reconstruction or dismantling,
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administrative proceedings,
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financial penalties,
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delay in occupancy or use of the home.
And all because of an element that was previously treated as an addition.
What to do now, before the regulations come into force?
Experts agree: It’s better to check today than to correct tomorrow. It’s worth verifying now:
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whether the gate and wicket open only to the plot,
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Is there room in the driveway to fully open the wings,
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at what height are the spikes and sharp elements,
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whether the wicket meets the requirement of 90 cm width.
From 2026 the gate and fence are no longer details. An error in this area can cost as much as a new facade – or more.
If you have a gate or are planning to build a house – 2026 may change more than you think. Now is the last moment to avoid costly surprises.
FAQ – the most frequently asked questions by property owners
Will the changes apply to all houses?
No, but they will cover every new investment and every reconstruction after 2026.
Is a sliding gate a safer solution?
Yes – in many cases it will be the easiest way to meet the new requirements.
Can the commune force me to remove the old gate?
Not if you don’t modernize it. The problem begins with reconstruction.
Will the house design from the catalog need to be improved?
Very often – especially at the entrance and gate.
