Investors are obliged to carry out construction processes based on the binding rules and regulations. However, these regulations are constantly evolving and subject to various attempts of improvement. Therefore, the aim of this article is an attempt to present the changes that have recently occured in the Polish process of construction process of a single-family residential building, in the context of proceedings before architectural and construction administration authorities. Basic legal acts regulating this procedure have been amended, such as: the Construction Law Act and the Regulation of the Minister of Development on the detailed scope and form of a construction design. Since these regulations have changed their provisions many times over the years, the article focuses on the changes that entered into force during 2020 and 2021. An additional aim of the article is to check and show how these changes were adopted by both investors and participants in the construction process, such as designers. In order to achieve this goal, a survey was conducted among them in Mał opolska region. The data concerning the submitted applications for permits for the construction of a single-family residential building, within the mentioned years, have been analyzed.

Building permit decisions are one of the most important elements of the investment process in Poland. It should be noted that water reservoirs influence the diversification of landscapes by increasing their attractiveness in both urban and rural areas. The article aimed to verify the relationship between the changes in land-use development and investments related to small retention. Another goal was classifying objects for which building permits have been obtained and registered. Changes in land-use development associated with the introduction of ponds, which blend in with the landscape, are desirable from the perspective of retaining water resources in urban and rural ecosystems. The research methodology was based on spatial data and included statistical analyses in three regions: Mazowieckie, Lodzkie and Swietokrzyskie. Studies carried out in these regions showed a spatial correlation associated with investments in small retention. The research used methods of the global I Moran statistic and local Moran statistics. The data used in the study came from the Register of Applications, Decisions and Notifications, made available by the Main Office of Construction Site. The research indicates clusters of investments in small retention in analysed regions. The majority of investors are residents who invest in earth ponds. The study shows that investment in small retention is connected with ecosystem services.

At present, stormwater management is one of the key issues in urban policy. This is due to the increasing urbanisation, climate change, the growing threat of extreme (weather) events and the need to protect water resources. Legislation plays an essential role in the process of project planning and implementation. The recognition of opportunities and barriers contained in these regulations forms the basis for action by the central government, local authorities and investors. The article aims to analyse legal provisions, administrative decisions and factual circumstances that provide the foundation of administrative court rulings in Poland and regard the legal possibilities of rainwater management in urban areas. The adopted research method allows for/includes the author’s interpretation and formulation of de lege ferenda conclusions. The results of analyses of both European and national legislation and case law indicate that there is a problem with the interpretation of existing legislation and the lack of legal definitions of basic equipment and solutions in the field of water law, for instance. Such legal circumstances make it difficult to make the required legal decisions, and have a negative impact on the timing of implementation and number of these muchneeded projects.