Planning Requirement Decision or Deviation Decision

A planning requirement decision or deviation decision may be required before applying for a building permit in certain situations. A planning requirement decision is needed when applying for a building permit in a planning requirement area, i.e., an area outside the municipality's detailed planning where there may be a need to take action.

A deviation decision is required if the builder wants to deviate from the plan or other provisions, regulations, prohibitions or other restrictions under the Land Use Act or issued pursuant to it. The municipality can grant an exception under certain conditions, but a special reason is always required for deviation, and it must not cause harm.

Requirements

  • Planning requirement decision: Required for construction in planning requirement area (area outside municipal detailed planning)
  • Deviation decision: Required when deviating from plan or provisions, regulations, prohibitions or restrictions under Land Use and Building Act
  • Special reason: Deviation always requires a special reason
  • No harm: Deviation must not cause harm to, for example, other uses of the area or nature

Procedure

  • Application: Apply to the authority designated by the municipality before applying for building permit
  • Investigation: Municipality determines whether the area is a planning requirement area
  • Validity: Planning requirement decision and deviation decision are valid for the period stated in the decision, maximum two years
  • Building permit: Building permit must be applied for during the validity period of the decision

Foreign operators

  • EEA countries: If a business operator is established in another European Economic Area state and temporarily provides services in Finland, the same permits are required as for operators established in Finland