ORANJESTAD:
As of January 1, 2026, additional regulations under Aruba’s Building and Demolition Ordinance (Bouw- i sloopverordening) have officially come into force. These new rules grant the government greater authority to take action against illegal construction and demolition activities, as well as to recover costs from individuals responsible for violations.
The changes are based on a national decree (landsbesluit) signed on December 23, 2025, and published in the Official Gazette of Aruba (Afkondigingsblad). Although parts of the Building and Demolition Ordinance had already been in effect since November 2022, several key articles had not yet been activated.
With the introduction of this new decree, provisions related to administrative enforcement, legal certainty, and cost recovery are now officially in force. These articles are considered fundamental for effective government supervision and enforcement.
Greater Clarity and Stronger Enforcement
According to the government’s explanation, the implementation of these provisions is necessary to strengthen enforcement of construction and demolition regulations and to provide greater clarity for both citizens and businesses.
Without these articles, the government faced significant limitations in its legal tools to act against offenders or to reclaim expenses incurred in correcting violations. With the new provisions now active, the legal framework surrounding construction and demolition in Aruba will change significantly.
The government will be able to act more decisively and effectively against abuses, while citizens and developers will benefit from clearer guidelines regarding their rights and obligations within Aruba’s spatial planning and development framework.
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