Salva Casa Lazio 2025: How to Legalize Renovations or Unauthorized Constructions in Rome and Lazio

In July 2025, a new, long awaited law — Salva Casa Lazio — came into force in the Lazio region. It gives property owners in Rome and Lazio the opportunity to legalize urban planning non compliances carried out before 24 May 2024, without the need for the complicated procedure known as “double conformity.”

What “double conformity” means

In Italy, this term is doppia conformità. It refers to the rule requiring, for legalization of a building or alteration, proof of conformity with:

• • the urban planning and building regulations that were in force at the time the works were carried out; and
  • the regulations that are in force at the moment the legalization application is submitted.

This procedure has for years made legalization extremely challenging: even if a renovation was harmless and safe, if building standards had changed, the owner lost the possibility to legalize the work.

Now this requirement is abolished for the category of “non substantial changes” (for example, glazed balconies, terraces, converted garages, or small extensions), which significantly simplifies matters for property owners in Rome and the Lazio region.

To sell property advantageously in Rome or Lazio — without discounts or lengthy negotiations — it is crucial to bring it into compliance with the law. The key innovation is a streamlined legalization process: it is sufficient that the work complies with the regulations in force at the time the work was carried out and with the regulations in force at the time of application.

Previous Salva Casa decrees in Lazio

In summer 2024, the Italian government enacted the so called Decreto Salva Casa. That law significantly broadened permissible deviations from the approved project and allowed the legalization of many buildings and renovations.

Specifically:

• For properties under 60 m², deviations of up to 6% are allowed.
• Up to 100 m²: up to 5%.
• Up to 300 m²: up to 4%.
• Up to 500 m²: up to 3%.
• Over 500 m²: up to 2%.

These are known as “technical tolerances”: minor discrepancies in height, volume, placement, or floor area. These changes do not breach building safety or habitability.

Importantly, these rules apply only to works completed before 24 May 2024.

How the simplified procedure works

The owner submits an application for a retroactive building permit (permesso di costruire in sanatoria) or a simplified notification (SCIA in sanatoria).

Only three conditions must be met:

1. The work must conform to urban planning regulations in force at the time of submission.
2. It must conform to building standards in force at the time of the work.
3. Double conformity (old and new standards simultaneously) is no longer required for this category of violations.

The new law also establishes an important principle: if authorities do not respond within 45 days, the application is automatically deemed approved.

Responsibility for the correctness of the application lies with professionals — architects or surveyors — who prepare and certify the technical documentation.

Why it benefits both owners and the state

In Italy, any work on property requires a specific permit. Even a minor renovation must be documented.

Thus, the new law benefits both sides:

• • Owners gain a chance to regularize their property, eliminating the risk of fines and issues during sale.
  • The state receives revenue via fees, charges, and taxes.

Moreover, legalized property becomes inherently more liquid: banks are more willing to grant mortgages, and buyers are ready to pay full price, knowing the property fully complies with the law.

Our services

We are ready to accompany you at every stage or take the entire process on your behalf.
Trevi Elite real estate agency is registered with the Rome Chamber of Commerce (agent intermediary registry number 9683) and is a member of the FIMAA professional federation. The reliability of our work is backed by insurance policy number 502088818. The company has been operating in Italy’s luxury real estate market since 2006.

Trevi Elite offers comprehensive assistance in legalizing renovations and unauthorized constructions in Rome and Lazio. We will analyze your situation, prepare all required documentation, coordinate with architects and surveyors, and accompany the process until obtaining the official certificate of compliance and the subsequent sale of your property at the highest possible price.
Contact us to avoid fines and complications when selling or formalizing your property in Italy. A property with full urban planning compliance becomes a more valuable asset.