CO · Expiry & renewal tracking
Don't let your urban-planning licence expire mid-build because the extension was requested late
Colombian construction licences expire 36 months (new build) or 24 months (other modalities) after the act becomes final, with one 12-month extension filed 30 business days ahead (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1 of Decreto 1077 de 2015). Once expired, only revalidation within two months or a new licence remains.
Construction licences in the new-build modality (obra nueva), urbanisation licences in the development and re-urbanisation modalities and parcelling licences, together with their revalidations, are valid for thirty-six (36) months, extendable once by a further twelve (12) months, counted from the date the administrative acts granting them become final. Construction licences in modalities other than new build and licences to intervene in and occupy public space, with their revalidations, are valid for twenty-four (24) months, extendable once by twelve (12) more (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1 of Decreto 1077 de 2015). When one act grants an urbanisation, a parcelling and a new-build construction licence together, validity is forty-eight (48) months extendable by twelve (12); if the construction is in a modality other than new build and enclosure, thirty-six (36) months extendable by twelve (12).
The extension request must be filed with complete documentation no later than thirty (30) business days before the licence expires, together with a sworn statement by the responsible developer or builder that works have started; an extension of a revalidation is also requested thirty (30) business days in advance and is issued on the mere filing of the request (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1). Urbanisation licences in the remediation (saneamiento) modality, parcelling licences for remediation and subdivision licences are valid for twelve (12) months and cannot be extended. The article has had several transitional paragraphs allowing a second twelve-month extension for set periods; the most recent, added by Decreto 74 de 2025, allowed it to be requested until 30 June 2026.
When a licence lapses because its term or its extensions have run out, the holder must apply for a new licence under the urban-planning rules in force at the time of the new application. Once only, they may instead request revalidation of the expired licence if no more than two (2) months have passed since expiry and the required progress is shown (for instance, at least fifty per cent of the load-bearing structure of a structurally independent building); the revalidation is decided under the rules that supported the original licence, has the same term of validity and may be extended once by twelve (12) months (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.3). The licence to intervene in and occupy public space lasts twenty-four (24) months and is extended once by half the initial period, if requested in the fifteen days before expiry (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.4).
At a glance
| New build | 36 months from the act becoming final, extendable once by 12 months (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1 of Decreto 1077 de 2015) |
|---|---|
| Other construction modalities | 24 months, extendable once by 12 months (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1) |
| Combined licence | 48 months if it covers urbanisation, parcelling and new build; 36 if construction is in another modality (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1) |
| Extension request | No later than 30 business days before expiry, with complete documents and a sworn statement that works have started (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1) |
| Not extendable | Urbanisation and parcelling for remediation, and subdivision: 12 months (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1) |
| Expired licence | New licence under current rules, or a one-time revalidation within the following 2 months if works have progressed (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.3) |
| Revalidation | Same term of validity as the original licence, extendable once by 12 months (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.3) |
| Public space | 24 months, single extension of half the initial period, requested in the 15 days before expiry (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.4) |
Terms run from the date the act granting the licence becomes final, not from its issue date or from the start of works (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1).
Who is responsible?
The licence holder and the responsible developer or builder, who signs the sworn statement that works have started which accompanies the extension request (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1 of Decreto 1077 de 2015). The extension, revalidation and new licence are handled by the same authority that issued the licence, the urban curator or the competent municipal authority (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.3).
If the deadline passes
Once the licence or its extension has expired, it ceases to be valid and the works can no longer proceed under it. The holder must apply for a new licence from the same authority under the urban-planning rules in force at the time of the new application, which may change the project's conditions. The only way to keep the original rules is revalidation, available once, provided no more than two (2) months have passed since expiry and the builder shows, with an area schedule and under oath, the required progress: urbanisation or parcelling works at least fifty per cent complete, or at least fifty per cent of the load-bearing structure of buildings (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.3 of Decreto 1077 de 2015). After those two months only a new licence remains.
Thirty business days, not thirty calendar days
The licence extension is filed no later than thirty (30) business days before expiry, with complete documentation (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1 of Decreto 1077 de 2015). In Colombia that usually means about six calendar weeks, so the 60-day reminder is the one that signals when to prepare the request.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each licence as a record, with its number and modality, and enter as the expiry date 36 months (new build) or 24 months (other modalities) after the date the act became final; if an extension has already been granted, use the extension date.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day; the 60-day reminder is the one that leaves room to file the extension no later than 30 business days before expiry.
- The site manager can upload the act granting the extension or revalidation through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account; then update the date to the new validity.
- Assign the permits team or site manager as responsible; if the date passes without an extension, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later, within the two-month window in which revalidation can still be requested.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a construction licence valid?
- In the new-build modality, thirty-six (36) months; in other modalities, twenty-four (24) months; in both cases extendable once by twelve (12) months and counted from the date the granting act becomes final (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1 of Decreto 1077 de 2015).
- When must I request the extension?
- No later than thirty (30) business days before expiry, with complete documentation and the sworn statement that works have started (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1 of Decreto 1077 de 2015).
- Can I get a second extension?
- The general rule is a single extension. The article has had transitional paragraphs allowing a second twelve-month extension for set periods; the one added by Decreto 74 de 2025 applied to requests until 30 June 2026 (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.1 of Decreto 1077 de 2015).
- What if the licence has already expired?
- You must apply for a new licence under current rules or, once only and within two (2) months of expiry, request revalidation, showing the required progress of works (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.3 of Decreto 1077 de 2015).
- How long does a revalidation last?
- The same term of validity as the revalidated licence, and it may be extended once by twelve (12) months (Article 2.2.6.1.2.4.3 of Decreto 1077 de 2015).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 14, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for building permit (urban planning licence) (Colombia)
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each building permit (urban planning licence) (Colombia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
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Give each building permit (urban planning licence) (Colombia) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.