Stricter Rules for Bjelovar's Old Town Core
Proposed new urban plan introduces a series of bans for homeowners and restaurateurs; public consultation runs until September 3.
Proposed new urban plan introduces a series of bans for homeowners and restaurateurs; public consultation runs until September 3.
Homeowners in Bjelovar's old town core will face new, stricter renovation and construction rules. According to the proposed new urban plan, which is open for public consultation until September 3, 2026, roof dormers, balconies on street-facing facades, and the enclosure of café terraces with planters will no longer be permitted, as reported by Klikni.hr on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
In the protected city core, a range of practices that were previously common will no longer be allowed. When constructing new buildings or renovating existing ones, roof dormers-protruding additions on sloped roofs-will be prohibited. Instead, roof windows set flush with the roofline will be installed.
Balconies and loggias will not be permitted on street-facing or gable facades. Once the City Council gives its approval, the new rules will become mandatory.
The proposal also prohibits disrupting the uniform appearance of the street. When a new building is constructed next to existing ones, its roof cornice must align with the height of neighboring buildings, and the roof structure should match the pitch and height of surrounding roofs.
Co-owners of old buildings are directly affected by one of the rules. If multiple owners possess a building that forms a single architectural unit, it is forbidden to renovate or energy-retrofit only one part of the facade or roof. Renovation must be carried out on the entire building, not on individual sections belonging to different owners.
Satellite antennas will need to be removed from rooftops in the protected area, and air conditioning units from street-facing facades. This provision is set as a goal for tidying up the center, without a fixed deadline, so it will likely be implemented gradually during future renovations.
Special rules apply to hospitality terraces in the center. Café and restaurant terraces on the ground floor must not be raised on a structure above sidewalk level; they must be level with the walking surface. Enclosing terraces with planters is also prohibited.
It is recommended that terraces not be structurally attached to building facades, thereby avoiding the installation of canopies and similar elements on historic facades.
For all major interventions in the core, special conditions from the Ministry of Culture will continue to apply, under which the core is divided into zones of full, partial, and ambient protection.
All the aforementioned provisions are available in the spatial planning information system at ispu.mgipu.hr and at the City offices. Citizens can submit comments and suggestions until September 3, and a public presentation is scheduled for August 26 at 10 a.m. in the Grand Hall.
