Planning Board starts 10-year update of Puerto Rico land rules
The Puerto Rico Planning Board has begun the review of the Puerto Rico Land Use Plan (PUT-PR), opening what officials say will be a participatory public process to update and redefine the island’s public policy on land use and sustainable development.
The plan sets how land is classified and used across the island to coordinate development, protect natural and agricultural areas and reduce disaster risk. Under Act 550-2004, it must be reviewed every 10 years. The last update was in 2015, and the new effort is meant to reflect demographic, economic and environmental changes since then.
Planning Board President Héctor Morales-Martínez said the review will be inclusive and transparent, with input from government agencies, municipalities, professional associations, academia, community groups and residents.
“Today we begin a historic process that not only fulfills a legal obligation but also invites every sector … to help shape the territorial future of Puerto Rico,” Morales-Martínez said. “For the first time, the plan will also include measurable goals and indicators to track compliance and evaluate results.”
Three stages
The process, established under Resolution No. JP-PUTPR-2025-01, will be carried out in three stages: preparation; drafting and public consultation; and final approval and implementation.
In the first stage, the board will collect updated data, reestablish the Land Use Plan Office under a professional planner and reactivate both the Interagency Committee and the External Advisory Council, which will include technical specialists and a licensed agronomist.
During the second stage, a preliminary draft will be released for technical review and public comment. The third stage will include in-person and virtual hearings and a minimum 90-day comment period, with submissions accepted online.
Morales-Martínez said the update seeks to mirror current conditions while promoting balanced development.
“We want a Land Use Plan that is both visionary and practical — one that stimulates urban and economic development, revitalizes traditional centers, supports agricultural productivity, strengthens public and collective transportation, and protects our natural resources. Citizen participation will be fundamental in achieving this goal,” he said.
Once approved by the Planning Board and endorsed by the governor, the plan will be filed with the Department of State and become binding on public and private entities.
