Do new homes in Israel need a protected room (mamad)?

Short answer. Yes. Under section 14 of the Civil Defence Law 1951, no permit may be issued for a new building or extension unless the plan includes a shelter, or an exemption is granted ¹². Since the 1992 amendment to the 1990 shelter regulations, every new residential building, and every extension larger than 12 m², must include a mamad or mamak ¹².

What does the law require?

The Civil Defence Law 1951 links shelters to building permits. Section 14 states, in Hebrew, that no permit under any planning and building law shall be issued to build a house or a factory, or an addition to them, "unless the building plan on which the permit is issued includes the installation of a shelter" ¹². An exemption can be granted ¹².

The Civil Defence (Shelter Construction Specifications) Regulations 1990, as amended in 1992, turned this into a protected-space requirement for housing: every new residential building must include a mamad, or a mamak serving up to four apartments ¹². The engineering specification behind these rules, including sealing against chemical warfare agents ², is described on the shelter standards page. Israeli Standard SI 4422 Part 2 (April 2019) covers metalwork items such as external blast-protection elements and gas-tight windows; its source page does not say whether it is mandatory ³.

Does an extension to my home need a protected space?

Yes, if it is large enough. The duty applies to additions to existing buildings larger than 12 m², according to the State Comptroller in 1998; the 2020 report describes the threshold as 12 m² or more ¹². The two reports differ slightly on the threshold (larger than 12 m² versus 12 m² or more), so check the exact threshold that applies to your project, for example an extension around 12 m², with your local planning and building committee. Whether and how a room can be added to an existing building is a question for the committee and a qualified engineer.

Who approves the protected space?

The local planning and building committee issues the building permit only after a Home Front Command representative has confirmed that the plan includes a protected space built to the regulations ¹². In practice, the protected space is part of the permit file from the start, not an option added afterwards.

Is there an order in which the shelter must be built?

Yes. As described by the State Comptroller in 1998, the planning and building regulations require the shelter to be built before any other construction on that floor ². Construction on that floor and above may continue only after the person responsible for the structural frame files a declaration of completion of the shelter works with the local committee ². Continuing without that declaration counts as building without a permit ².

Who maintains shared shelters?

Owners of apartment buildings must maintain their shared private shelters, and the local authority has powers to enforce this ¹². See public shelters for how shared and public shelters fit into the official priority order.

Can I design the protected room myself?

No page on this site gives construction instructions. A protected space is a structural element governed by regulations and approved by the Home Front Command ¹²: its design belongs to a qualified engineer or architect working with your local committee. Our general guides on protection factor and NBC filtration explain the concepts, not Israeli requirements.

What should I check before planning one?

Confirm with your local committee whether your project triggers the requirement, and make sure the protected space is in the plans submitted for the permit ¹². Ask your engineer which items must meet SI 4422 Part 2 ³. For an existing shared shelter, check maintenance obligations with the owners and the local authority ¹².

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a mamad and a mamak?

A mamad is an apartment protected space; a mamak is a floor protected space that can serve up to four apartments ¹². New residential buildings must include one or the other ¹².

Can I get a building permit without a protected space?

Not unless the plan includes a shelter or an exemption is granted ¹². The committee waits for Home Front Command confirmation ¹².

When did the mamad requirement start?

With the 1992 amendment to the Civil Defence (Shelter Construction Specifications) Regulations 1990 ¹².

Can I install any window or door in a mamad?

Protected-space components must fit the 1990 regulations ², and SI 4422 Part 2 covers metalwork items such as external blast-protection elements and gas-tight windows ³. Check with your engineer before choosing components.

Is ventilation or filtration part of the rules?

The regulations include sealing against chemical warfare agents ². For background, see our guides on NBC filtration and shelter ventilation; they do not replace Israeli rules.

Does the rule apply to older buildings?

The sources used here describe the duty for new buildings and for extensions above the 12 m² threshold ¹². For an existing building, ask your local authority which shelter serves it; its number is on the emergency contacts page.

Sources

1. State Comptroller of Israel (מבקר המדינה) — ההיערכות להגנת העורף מפני איום טילים ורקטות (מיגון פיזי, התרעה ופינוי אוכלוסייה) - ביקורת מעקב (דוח שנתי 70ג, 2020) — https://library.mevaker.gov.il/sites/DigitalLibrary/Documents/2020/70c/2020-70c-101-Oref.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. State Comptroller of Israel (מבקר המדינה) — מקלוט ומיגון לאוכלוסייה האזרחית - ממצאי מעקב (דוח שנתי 48) — https://library.mevaker.gov.il/sites/DigitalLibrary/Pages/Reports/2905-92.aspx (accessed 2026-10-20)
3. Standards Institution of Israel (מכון התקנים הישראלי) — ת"י 4422 חלק 2 – פריטי מסגרות למקלטים: פריטים למרחבים מוגנים - דרישות ובדיקות — https://www.sii.org.il/lobby/standardization/standard-page?id=6067 (accessed 2026-10-20)