Do you have to pave the streets of a subdivision?
The short answer: the national law does not require paving, but your municipality may. It is worth knowing before budgeting, because streets are usually the biggest infrastructure expense of a subdivision. If you need someone to carry it out, see our service for stone paving of streets for subdivisions.
What the national law requires
- Streets at least 16 meters wide and avenues 32 meters, in both cases including sidewalks (art. 229 of Law 3966/10).
- Subdivisions bordering national or international highways must provide an internal street parallel to the highway.
- The municipality determines the layout of streets and avenues (art. 248).
- After final approval, the owner has 30 days to open and clear the streets, adjust the grades and carry out any drainage works that were required (art. 246).
None of those articles mentions stone paving, paving blocks or asphalt. What the national law asks for is opening, leveling and draining.
What your municipality may require
Art. 243 says projects must comply with the urban development laws and ordinances of each municipality. That is where requirements for road surface, curb and gutter or level of finish before accepting the subdivision appear. They vary a lot from one municipality to another. Before budgeting, ask in writing what your ordinance requires and under what conditions the work is accepted.
Beware of Law 1909/02: it included a rule requiring the consent of 50% of the frontage buyers to pave or stone-pave, but that law was repealed by Law 3966/10 (art. 283). Do not use it as a reference.
How to estimate how much street your subdivision has
With the approved plan you calculate the linear meters of street and multiply them by the roadway width, which is a part of the 16 meters (the rest is sidewalks). Illustrative example, only to show the calculation: if the subdivision had 1,200 meters of street and a roadway of 7 meters were assumed, that would be 8,400 m² to pave. The real roadway width depends on the project and on your municipality.
With that area the paving is budgeted, and separately the curb and gutter, culverts and earthmoving. Dividing the total by the number of lots gives the street cost per lot. For the full analysis, see the economic feasibility of a subdivision.
In what order the works are done
- Layout and boundary marking according to the approved plan.
- Grades and drainage: water rules, you have to settle where it runs off before fixing the street.
- Water and power trenches, which must go before the paving so the finished street is not broken up.
- Base and paving with level control.
- Cleaning and handover to the municipality.
Questions to ask the municipality before budgeting
- What street surface do they require to accept the subdivision?
- Do they ask for curb and gutter and culverts? Under what conditions?
- What roadway and sidewalk width do they approve within the 16 meters?
- Can they be delivered in stages?
- What guarantee do they ask for if the streets are finished after selling?
We coordinate the streets with the power grid and water in the turnkey infrastructure, so they are done only once.
Frequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to pave the streets of a subdivision in Paraguay?
The national law (Law 3966/10) does not say so. It requires opening streets, adjusting grades and carrying out any drainage that was required. The municipality's ordinance may require it.
How wide must the streets be?
At least 16 meters including sidewalks, and 32 meters for avenues (art. 229).
Who decides the street layout?
The municipality. The project professional must make the prior technical consultations (art. 248).
Can paving be done in stages?
It depends on the municipality's ordinance and on what is required to accept the subdivision. Ask before quoting.
Sources
- Law 3966/10 Municipal Organic Law, consolidated text
- Law 5346, amends arts. 245, 246, 248, 250, 255 and 258 of Law 3966/10
- Law 1909/02 on Subdivisions (repealed)
Notice. Informational content with rules consulted on 09/29/2026. Deadlines and values are indicative and vary by municipality and service provider; always confirm with the municipality or the relevant body. It does not constitute legal, tax or engineering advice, nor a promise of profitability. Last updated: September 30, 2026.