Reform Of Finland’s Land Use Legislation – Key Takeaways For Project Developers

The rules governing land use in Finland are being rewritten. The Government recently submitted a proposal (HE 70/2026 vp) for a new Land Use Act (alueidenkäyttölaki). The proposed act would also amend a number of related acts, such as the Building Act. This government proposal carries significant practical implications for project developers pursuing renewable energy projects, industrial investments or other activities requiring land use.

Reasons behind the reform

The aim of the reform is to simplify the land use planning system, reduce administrative burden and speed up planning processes. The three-tier hierarchy of the land use planning system – regional plan, local master plan and local detailed plan – would remain unchanged, and municipalities would retain their central role in land use planning. While the structure itself remains familiar, the content and legal effect of many of the tiers would change significantly.