A permit for a project is a permit granted by the local authority for major projects that affect the environment and change its appearance, such as changes in land with soil or material or other projects that are covered by law.

The permit for implementation shall always be in accordance with the organisation.

A permit may be granted without a subdivision plan or a neighbourhood presentation if the project is detailed in the master plan. Otherwise, a subdivision plan of the area in question must be valid in order to be granted a permit. However, a municipality may grant a permit without a subdivision plan, if a neighbourhood presentation is carried out and the project is in accordance with the master plan regarding land use, regional patterns and density of settlement.

Application for a project permit

The municipality supervises that the project is in accordance with the issued construction permit.

Duration of the permit

Municipalities determine the maximum validity period of the permit for a project, but if a specific project does not begin within 12 months of the municipality’s approval for granting the permit, the permit automatically expires and then a new permit for the project must be applied for.

Implementation permits for evaluated projects

A permit for an undertaking may not be issued until an opinion from the Agency on the environmental assessment of the undertaking is available or the Agency's decision that the undertaking is not subject to an assessment.

When considering an application for a construction permit, the municipality shall examine the environmental assessment report of the developer and provide the basis for the organization's opinion on the environmental assessment.

The municipality shall make public its decision upon issuing the permit and the conclusion of the organizational body's opinion within two weeks of the issuing of the permit.

Projects subject to a permit

The projects mentioned in this report are always subject to a permit for construction. Various other projects that affect the environment and change its appearance may also be subject to a permit for construction.

The permitting authority assesses whether a project that is not specified in the Environmental Impact Assessment Act is considered major and is therefore subject to a permit.

The assessment of whether a project is considered a major project takes into account the size of the area, the scope of the project, the durability and impact on landscape and the appearance of the environment and other environmental impacts.

Number of other projects that may be subject to a permit to construct.

Projects not subject to a permit

• Projects subject to a building permit are not subject to a construction permit.

• A project that is considered insignificant, that is, that has a negligible impact on the environment and its appearance, is not subject to a permit to construct.

If there is doubt whether the project is subject to a permit, the applicant and the local authority can seek a decision from the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.