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BP 220 - Socialized Housing Standards (1982)

Philippine lawLegal status not independently verified

In brief

AI summary. Verify against the source below.

BP 220 authorizes the Ministry of Human Settlements to set standards for economic and socialized housing, requiring public hearing, publication, and integrated approval before development, sale, or construction can proceed.

Who it affects: It applies to private developers, individual low‑income owners, and any party building or selling economic or socialized housing projects in the Philippines.

Key provisions

  • Government policy. The government’s policy is to promote and encourage private‑sector development of affordable housing for average and low‑income earners. [Section 1]
  • Definition of affordable housing. Economic and socialized housing are units affordable to average and low‑income earners, defined as costing no more than 30% of their gross family income. [Section 2]
  • Authority to set standards. The Ministry of Human Settlements may establish and promulgate technical standards for these housing projects, coordinating with other agencies. [Section 3]
  • Public hearing and publication. New standards become effective only after a public hearing, publication in two newspapers for two weeks, and a 30‑day period after the last publication. [Section 5]
  • Minimum lot sizes. Minimum lot areas are 72 m² for detached units, 54 m² for corner semi‑detached units, and 36 m² for row‑house units. [Section 6]
  • Water supply requirements. Developers must provide potable water of at least 43 L per person per day in under‑developed areas (communal wells) and connect to public water systems in developed areas, with a minimum of 75 L per person per day if no public system exists. [Section 7]
  • Fire safety walls. When two living units abut, a fireblock of at least 4 in. thick masonry must extend from the lowest wall portion to just below the roof, and a fire wall must rise 0.30 m above the roof and extend 0.30 m beyond the unit. [Section 8]
  • Integrated approval system. All housing projects must obtain an Integrated Approval from the Human Settlements Regulatory Commission, which replaces permits under PDs 957, 1216, 1096, and 1185. [Section 12]
  • Registration and license to sell. A subdivision or condominium cannot be sold until it is registered and a License to Sell is issued after publication of a notice of pending application and posting of a billboard. [Section 19]
  • Penalties for violations. Violations of the rules are penalized under the fines and penalties of PDs 957, 1216, 1096, and 1185. [Section 29]

Common questions

Who can build a house under BP 220?
Individual owners who are average or low‑income earners may build their own houses after securing approval from the Ministry and using approved stock plans or submitting their own plans for approval. [Section 11]
How is ‘affordable’ defined for economic and socialized housing?
A unit is affordable if its cost does not exceed 30 % of the gross family income of the average or low‑income earner, as determined by the NEDA. [Section 2]
What is the process for adopting new housing standards?
The Ministry drafts the standards, conducts a public hearing, publishes them in two newspapers for two consecutive weeks, and the standards take effect 30 days after the last publication. [Section 5]
What water supply must be provided in a housing project?
In under‑developed areas, a communal well supplying at least 43 L per person per day is required; in developed areas, connection to the public water system is mandatory, or an independent system must supply at least 75 L per person per day. [Section 7]
What fire‑blocking walls are required between units?
A fireblock of at least 4 in. thick masonry must separate adjoining units, extending from the lowest wall portion up to just below the roof; a fire wall must rise 0.30 m above the roof and extend 0.30 m beyond the unit. [Section 8]
How do developers obtain a License to Sell?
After Integrated Approval, the developer must publish a notice of pending registration, post a billboard, submit proof of publication, and provide a performance bond of 10 % of the estimated development cost; the Commission then issues the License to Sell. [Section 23]
What penalties apply if the rules are violated?
Violations are subject to the fines and penalties prescribed in Presidential Decrees 957, 1216, 1096, and 1185. [Section 29]
Can a developer request a variance from the standards?
Yes, variances may be granted when strict compliance would cause unnecessary hardship or when regional or site‑specific factors justify an exemption. [Section 9]

Legal information, not legal advice

Tatsulok checks that this text faithfully reproduces its published source, but Tatsulok is not an official publisher and does not independently verify whether the text is currently in force, amended, or repealed. Always confirm against an official source, such as the Official Gazette or the issuing government authority, before relying on it. This is legal information for study, not legal advice. For your situation, consult a lawyer or Philippine legal aid.