Construction Law in Finland

In Finland public construction law is based on layered land-use planning.

The roughest planning takes place on the regional level (maakunta) in the form of regional land use plans (maakuntakaava). The regional land use plan is stipulated by the respective regional council, which is an association of the municipalities of the region.

The more exact land-use planning takes place on two levels in the cities and municipalities. The general planning can be found in the local master plans (yleiskaava), the detailed planning in the local detailed plans (asemakaava).

All plans are prepared in a transparent procedure with a hearing of the interested circles and are subject to judicial appeals.

In general, the construction of a building requires a building permit (rakennuslupa), which is also issued by the municipalities. Regarding smaller constructional measures often a so-called action permit (toimenpidelupa) is sufficient, that is granted in a simplified procedure.

In both cases the neighbours need to be heard, and they also have a right to appeal. In general, the works are only allowed to be commenced if the permit becomes legally binding, meaning that either there have not been any appeals to the court within the appeal time or possible appeals have been decided in the final instance.