The Housing Ministry has completed amending the Unified Building Codes and has sent them to the Ismail cabinet for review, said Housing Minister Moustafa Madbouly. The amendments appear to extensive, and focus on facilitating licensing, tightening safety codes, and enforcement, according to Al Borsa. Under the amended law, building licenses will be granted for a duration of three years, instead of a current one, with licensing permits being approved within two weeks of submitting an application. The law would also designate the Housing Ministry's building inspection authority the status of an independent authority to better enforce the codes. It would also grant governors and municipal authorities greater leeway in enforcing the codes. All building plans must include designs for wheelchair and handicap accessibility.

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