Shore Protection (Apply for Exemption with Municipality)

Shore protection (strandskydd) is intended to provide all people with access to shores and to preserve rich plant and animal life. In shore-protected areas, i.e., areas near the sea, watercourses, or lakes, it is prohibited to build new structures or alter a building. You may also not dig, fell trees, or take measures that significantly change living conditions for animals and plants.

The protected area is normally 100 meters from the shoreline, both on land and in water. In certain sensitive areas, the protection may be extended to 300 meters. If you need to do something within a shore-protected area, you must have permission, so-called exemption (dispens). Contact your municipality for information on shore protection in a specific area. In most cases, you apply for an exemption with the municipality.

Requirements for Shore Protection Exemption

  • Protected area: Normally 100 meters from the shoreline (on land and in water), in certain sensitive areas up to 300 meters.
  • Special grounds: Exemption may be granted if there are special grounds according to the Environmental Code (miljöbalken), for example that the facility must be located within the shore protection area for its function.
  • Purpose of protection: What you want to build or change must not jeopardize the purpose of the protection or alter conditions for animal and plant life or prevent people's access to shores.
  • Exceptions: Shore protection does not apply to lakes with water surface ≤1 hectare, watercourses with width ≤2 meters, or lakes/watercourses constructed after June 30, 1975.

Application Procedure

  • Authority: In most cases, you apply for an exemption with the municipality. The municipality's decision is then reviewed by the County Administrative Board. If the area is in state-protected nature, you apply with the County Administrative Board.
  • Water activity: If you are to perform work in water (for example dredging, constructing or repairing a dock), you must also notify the County Administrative Board of water activity.
  • Contact: Contact your municipality for information on shore protection in a specific area and how to apply.

Restrictions

  • Prohibited actions: Building new structures, altering existing buildings, digging, felling trees, or taking measures that significantly change living conditions for animals and plants.
  • Access: Actions must not prevent people's access to shores for swimming and outdoor recreation.