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Chapter 1: Overview
Section 1: The purpose of the building regulations
In addition to The Land Use and Building Act and other rules and regulations concerning land use and building and construction, the provisions stated in these building regulations must be complied with in the city of Helsinki.
Section 2: Building system guidelines
In order to control building and construction, the Environment and Permits Sub-committee of the Urban Environment Division may provide building system guidelines that concern specific districts or the entire city. The guidelines must promote sustainable construction that applies to the district's specific characteristics and conditions.
The building system provisions pursuant to the previous building regulations apply as building system guidelines in accordance with these new building regulations.
Section 3: Adapting construction to the district’s character and characteristics
Local master and city plans provide a basis per which to adapt construction to the character and characteristics of the city district. In addition, the project must consider the neighbourhood and the historical layers of the built environment.
Section 4: Building site owner and occupier’s status
The building regulations’ provisions for the land lot owner are to be complied with as applicable regarding the owner and occupier of the building site.
Chapter 2: Building construction
Section 5: Cityscape requirements
Constructions, extensions and any works comparable to the construction of a building must comply with the building system followed generally in the district, on the street bordering the lot and in the rest of the urban public space, regarding the building's location, size, shape, exterior materials, colouring and facade layout.
On the lot, the buildings must form a uniform entity that is in line with the cityscape and takes into account the natural values in the district.
Technical rooms for ventilation units and related equipment and ducts and other systems must be designed to match the character of the building and the cityscape
Section 6: Extending construction to a street or other public area
If permission is given to build on the street-side border of the lot, the building may be extended to the street area or, on special grounds, to another public area according to the following principles:
1) Foundations below ground level down to the depth of 1.5 metres may extend by 0.3 metres, and foundations more than 1.5 metres below ground level by 1.2 metres.
2) Bay windows, canopies, eaves, balconies and other similar overhanging parts of the building may extend by 1.5 metres. The canopy of the main entrance of a public or commercial building may extend further to a lane for light transport. Clearance to pass under must be at least 3.2 metres.
3) Technical equipment and comparable items may extend by 0.3 metres and exterior wall insulation case by case.
4) New stairs or ramp to an existing building may extend by 0.3 metres at most when new stairs are necessary for the functional conversion of the building or stairs cannot be built in the lot due to unreasonable difficulties or costs.
The extension may not cause difficulties to the use of a street or other public area.
Section 7: Exceeding building line inside the lot
A building may extend beyond the building line inside its lot specified in the city plan or in building regulations as follows:
1) Foundations and basement structures below ground level may extend as need be.
2) Bay windows, canopies, eaves, balconies, verandas, stairs and other similar parts of the building may extend by 1.2 metres. 3) Exterior wall insulation, technical equipment and other comparable items may extend as need be.
The above mentioned excesses must not cause significant difficulty to the surrounding area or neighbours.
Section 8: Building’s elevation
The elevation of the building must adapt to the elevations in the existing environment and the city plan. Building permit application must include a topographic map or a similar survey that shows the existing elevations in the lot and the surrounding area.
The building control authority may require the applicant to mark the locations and elevations of the lot’s corner points and those of the planned building on the lot before making a decision.
Section 9: Advertising and comparable structures
Sales, communication and advertising structures mounted on the building may extend by 0.8 metres, and window and door awnings and terrace canopies may extend by 1.5 metres to the street or other public area. Clearance to pass under must be at least 2.5 metres.
The structure placed on a land lot or in a public place must be firmly mounted and not interfere with the use of the place nor significantly disrupt or hinder mobility in the area. Its shape, colour and features must adapt to the building and the environment. The structure must be maintained and serviced regularly and if broken, repaired or removed immediately.
The light output of a structure placed in a lot or urban public space may not be significantly stronger than other lighting in the environment, it may not cause disability glare or repeatedly switch on and off in the dark, and its screen may not present strong flashing. The structure may not be placed on an extension to a pedestrian crossing, and traffic safety must be considered when placing it.
Section 10: Lighting of the lot and the building
The placement, direction and output of all light fixtures in the lot must be adjusted to increase safety and comfort in the area and not to unnecessarily or harmfully disturb the residents or those moving about in the area or the neighboring areas.
Facade lighting must highlight the character of the building and its role in the cityscape.
Lighting fixtures must adapt to the cityscape of the district.
Section 11: Designers, managers and supervisors
When evaluating the competence of designers and supervisors in charge of the project, special attention is to be paid to their earlier performance in comparable projects.
The party engaging in a building project must independently appoint sufficient supervision for the project.
Section 12: Address signs of the lot and the building
The owner or occupier of a built lot must place its address number in a place that is clearly visible from the street and other traffic facility or area inside the lot, and the number must be lit during hours of darkness. If the building is located in a street corner, it must carry signs with authorised address numbers for each street on each side.
The sign must be placed as follows: 1) In a building bordering or very near a street or other traffic facility by the gate leading to the street or facility, and 2) in any other case, at the beginning of the driveway leading to the lot. If there are several buildings in the lot, not all of which are bordering or very near a street, a sign guiding access to the buildings in the lot must be placed at the beginning of the driveway leading to the lot if necessary. Address number must be marked on or very near the sign. If necessary, the address number must also be placed on each of the buildings.
Each stairway in each building in the lot must be indicated sequentially in capital letters. The signs must be lit during hours of darkness. The apartments in the buildings in the lot must be numbered starting from the bottom floor at stairway A and continuing logically throughout the buildings, unless there is a legitimate reason to use other kind of numbering. Apartments in detached residences can be indicated with letters. Storage rooms in the basement, attic or outside must be indicated with numbers corresponding to the apartments that use them.
Address numbering and lettering must be in place in the buildings in the lot at commissioning inspection at the latest. The lot owner or occupier must maintain the signs in a good condition. Stairway entrance floor must feature in a visible place a board listing the surnames or trade names of those occupying the apartments. The board must be lit if necessary. Contact information of property maintenance person or janitor and property manager must be presented in a visible place in the stairway. The information must be placed so that it can be read from outside the building.
Chapter 3: Yard and lots
Section 13: Yard works
A yard must be built so that it is useful and attractive regarding the purpose and use of the lot. The parts of the lot not used for construction, passage or parking shall be planted with diverse species that suit the local conditions, unless there is a legitimate reason to preserve natural conditions.
In connection with the construction of a building or comparable construction or extension or increase in floor area, the usability and comfort of the existing yard must be improved, for example by structuring the existing parking areas, improving and adding plants suitable for the lot and the environment, reducing mobility barriers, or by building structures that improve the usability of the yard with materials that suit the environment. In addition to the residents, borderers must be considered when conducting yard works.
Section 14: Yard elevation
The elevation of the yard must adapt to the elevations in the existing environment, those planned on streets and in the neighbouring properties.
Yard elevation ratios may not be substantially changed without the permission of the building control authority from what is shown in the drawings approved for the building permit.
In connection with the construction or extension of a building, its yard must be designed and built so that the construction does not increase the runoff of storm water across the lot’s border to the neighbour's side.
Section 15: Retaining walls and embankments
If there is a need to flatten a yard, it must be done primarily by embankment and secondarily by building retaining walls. The yard may not be flattened without a special reason so that the difference in elevation is more than 0.5 metres at the border of the residential lot. Embankment and retaining must be done so that soil or storm water do not run off to the neighbouring lot.
Section 16: Diverting storm waters and dewatering foundations
The lot must be equipped with a storm water drainage and dewatering system, from which water is entirely or partially absorbed in the lot if soil conditions allow this and there is no risk of water damage to the buildings in the area. Draining in the lot requires conducting a soil survey and creating a foundation plan based on it.
The storm water and foundation drainage not absorbed in the lot must be diverted to a common storm water system of the properties, or if this is not possible, to a public storm water system. Water must be retained primarily in swales, basins or comparable solutions and secondarily in an underground solution. If the lot borders the sea or a river, storm water and foundation drainage, if clean, can be led directly to natural waters.
The construction of the drainage system must not cause difficulty to the neighbours, and water must not be led to the neighbouring lot, street lanes, bicycle path, sidewalk, gutter or other public area. The project’s building permit application must include a survey report on the construction of a storm water and foundation drainage system or on an existing system, its sufficiency, functionality and maintenance.
Yard construction must use pervious surface materials unless the use of the yard and occupant areas requires otherwise. As far as possible, yard works must aim at reducing the mass of waterproof areas and at increasing vegetation.
In addition, the project must comply with the provisions of the Water Services Act (119/2001).
Section 17: Organization of traffic in the lot
The use of vehicles in the lot must be planned and organized so that they cause no danger. Rescue services’ lifting vehicle must have free access next to a 3-storey or taller building in order to be able to perform rescue operations. A sign indicating the location of an emergency access road must be placed on an exterior wall or the yard of a 3-storey or taller building.
There must be room in the lot to appropriately store bicycles. An apartment house lot must include at least 1 bicycle slot per 30 square metres of floor area. At least half of the slots must be available in a storage facility at yard level.
Section 18: Construction of sheds and other structures
A shed, canopy or other structure must be located at a minimum distance from the neighboring lot: when drawing a straight line at a 45-degree angle from the border of the lot, the structure must remain completely below.
Placing a structure closer to the border than this requires a permission from the owner or occupier of the neighbouring lot. However, the building control authority may permit building up to the neighbouring border for a special reason even if the owner or occupier of the neighbouring lot does not consent if this does not cause significant harm to the neighbour.
Section 19: Building a fence on the street-side border
In connection with the construction of a building, the street-side border of the lot must be separated with plants, a hedge or by building a fence, unless the city plan stipulates otherwise or for a legitimate reason.
Section 20: Waterfront construction
A body of water belonging to the lot may not be filled nor its natural shoreline changed without a permission from the building control authority. However, permission is not required for minor changes. One dock for small boats may be built on the shore.
Chapter 4: Exemptions from permit requirements and maintenance
Section 21: Exemptions from applying for an action permit in all lots
The following are exempt from applying for an action permit for land lots. The exemptions do not concern buildings listed for conservation in the city plan, excluding the sr-3-listed buildings. Moreover, the exemptions do not apply to buildings protected by law or decree nor to buildings that are of historical or architectural value. The exemptions in items 1 and 2 are not valid in a lot that is subject to building prohibition order due to city plan development nor in a property approved in the city plan or for rezoning not yet in force.
Even if the action planned does not require a permit, construction must comply with the provisions of the city plan in force as well as the regulations related to the type of construction in question. In particular, the applicability of the project to the building and its environment, the city plan’s conservation orders, fire safety, and the impact on the construction and use of the neighbouring property must be taken into account.
Exemptions concerning building alterations
1. Change of facade or roof colour; change of roof material excluding green roof; change of residential detached house facade material.
2. Closing of facade openings and making new openings, excluding 1st floor retail space windows and new openings to the firewall or the wall bordering the neighbouring property.
3. Glazing of a fully retracted or covered balcony that is closed on at least one side so that the balcony does not turn into an indoor space.
4. Change of wooden windows to wood-aluminum windows in a residential detached house or apartment building built in the 1960s or later without altering window distribution.
5. Window and door awnings open on the sides.
6. Adding solar panels or collectors on the roof of the building or structure. This exemption also concerns residential detached houses listed for conservation in the city plan.
7. Adding an air-heat- or air-water heat pump in the building, structure or yard in such a way that it is not visible from the street area. This exemption also concerns residential detached houses listed for conservation in the city plan.
Exemptions concerning advertising structures
8. Lit advertising structures under 2 square metres in size when placed inside a storefront window and covering no more than half of the window’s area.
A total of no more than half of the area of each window in retail premises may be covered for advertising or comparable purpose with advertising structures, window decals and the like.
9. Channel letter advertising structure for retail premises on the 1st floor of the building with a maximum height of 400 mm and located immediately above the storefront window.
10. Advertising structure with a maximum size of 600 x 600 mm to be mounted next to or above a storefront window perpendicular to the facade on the 1st floor of the building.
11. Advertising sign with a maximum size of 400 x 600 mm to be mounted on the 1st floor facade of the building.
Exemptions concerning yard works
12. Construction of a structure, canopy or terrace in the yard of a lot listed in the city plan for residential detached or semi-detached housing, the structure or terrace being less than 30 square metres and the canopy less than 50 square metres in size, and when a maximum of 35 per cent of the lot area is used for the construction of buildings, structures and terraces.
13. Construction of a structure, canopy or terrace in the yard of a lot listed in the city plan for other than residential detached or semi-detached housing, the structure or terrace being less than 30 square metres and the canopy less than 50 square metres in size.
14. Construction of a waste disposal area or a covered waste collection station that is less than 30 square metres in size.
15. Construction of one floating boat dock that is 50 square metres in size at the most on the shore of a residential lot.
16. Construction of a fence bordering a street, park or comparable public area, the fence including retaining walls bordering a street being no more than 1.2 metres and bordering a park or other area no more than 1.6 metres tall. The fence and the retaining including foundations must all take place inside the lot.
17. Construction of a fence between lots, the fence including retaining walls being no more than 1.6 metres tall and the owner or occupier of the neighbouring lot approving the construction, and construction of fences and retaining walls inside the lot.
Other exemptions in the lots and areas included in the city plan
18. Construction of a mast or a chimney or a large antenna, lamp post or comparable that is less than 30 metres tall and erection of a monument.
19. Construction of a parking or sports area or a snow dump in accordance with the city plan.
20. Construction of an outdoor serving area that is no more than 50 square metres in size. The outdoor serving area must adapt to the surroundings and not cause more than minor harm to the environment.
21. Construction of docks in an area listed as boat harbour in the city plan.
(Section 22: Exemptions from applying for an action permit for a residential detached house lot, repealed)
Section 23: Maintenance of the built environment
The building and its surroundings must be kept tidy at all times. To verify this, the building control authority may organize district- or region-specific inspections, record the detected deficiencies and take measures as necessary.
Concerning an area listed for conservation or otherwise assessed valuable in the city plan, the building control authority must be contacted in good time before implementing measures that affect cityscape.
Chapter 5: Specific provisions regarding construction outside the city plan
Section 24: Requirements concerning the building site
The building site must be appropriate in terms of location, shape and terrain, and its surface area must be sufficient for construction.
Section 25: Building size and purpose of use
Only one 1- or 2-storey residential building including one or two apartments is allowed on the building site.
In addition to a residential building, only one or two 1-storey outbuildings with a floor area of no more than 40 square metres may be built on the site.
Section 26: Building’s distance from the shore
Buildings and structures must be placed at least 20 metres away from the shoreline determined according to mean water level. A dock or a boathouse may be built on the shoreline as long as it does not cause significant harm to the environment or affect the coastal landscape.
Building in a waterfront zone requires particular attention to appropriate wastewater treatment.
Section 27: Building’s elevation in a waterfront zone
When building in a waterfront zone, the party engaging in a building project must take into account water level fluctuations at sufficient certainty.
Section 28: Area requiring planning
All areas in the city of Helsinki not included in the city plan require planning according to Section 16 of the Land-use and Building Act.
Section 29: Building site versus lot
The building regulations’ provisions for the land lot are to be complied with as applicable regarding the building site.
Chapter 6: Taking into account natural values in construction and the building’s lifecycle
Section 30: Building’s service life
Building design must start at determining a service life that is long enough for the purpose of the building.
Section 31: Taking into account the natural and cultural values of the lot in construction
The construction of the lot and the buildings must be planned and carried out in such a way that its vegetation, topography and special natural and cultural values are preserved, unless otherwise determined in the city plan. When constructing a new building or an annex or extension on a lot for which there has been a city plan in force for more than 13 years, a survey report on the natural and cultural values of the lot must be included in the permit application.
Trees and pristine parts of the lot listed for conservation in the building, landscaping or other permit must be carefully protected during the construction site. While processing permit application or supervising construction work, the building control authority may require that the party engaging in the building project prepare an appropriate protection plan.
Any part of the yard damaged or otherwise befouling the environment must be reformed with plants or other arrangements that suit the use of the area.
Section 31a: Conserving and planting trees in the lot
Only the trees included in the permit decision may be felled in the lot under construction. If it is necessary to cut down trees in the lot to accelerate construction in accordance with the city plan before the permit is granted, the building control services must be notified of this 14 days before cutting down the trees. The notification must include the trees indicated in a layout drawing or comparable and any other clarification necessary. Based on the notification, the building control services will decide if felling the trees in the extent suggested is necessary.
Trees may be felled in a built lot for a legitimate reason, such as to avoid the danger of them falling, without a landscaping permit if the impact on the lot and the environment is minor. However, a sufficient number of trees must be left in the lot.
If due to construction it is necessary to cut down trees during birds' nesting season (between 1 April and 31 July), the trees must be checked in advance with the help of a bird expert involved in the project to ensure that birds can nest in peace in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act.
If the building, landscaping or other permit grants a permission to fell trees, it must also order the planting of new trees if necessary. If trees have been felled without a permission and in such a way that the impact on the lot or the environment is more than minor, a necessary number of large trees must be planted in the lot. The building control authority will order the planting of trees if necessary.
Section 31b: Green factor
The building permit application for a new building, an annex or an extension must include a calculation that proves reaching the green factor target level approved by the Urban Environment Committee. This calculation does not need to be included in an application to build a residential detached or semi-detached house.
Green roofs are to be chosen for the outbuildings of detached and semi-detached houses during construction unless solar panels or collectors are installed on the roofs.
Section 32: Material selection
Construction must use materials, on the durability, maintainability, repairability and decommissioning of which there is long-term experience or reliable information available.
Construction may use building components from other buildings if their suitability for construction has been demonstrated in accordance with the Act on the Type Approval of Certain Construction Products (21 December 2012/954).
Test construction may use other materials under the responsibility of the party engaging in the building project, provided that material behaviour is monitored using an expert measurement, observation and reporting programme. The results of the monitoring must be submitted to the building control services.
Construction may not use damaged or unserviceable materials or components.
If there are no provisions in the city plan for the facade materials of the building and the facades of the surrounding buildings are mainly of brick, the facade of the building on the side of street or other urban public space must be cast in situ. The facade of the building may be implemented otherwise if the method suits the surrounding area.
If the buildings around the lot are mostly of wood, the facade and structures of the building under construction must mainly consist of wood.
Section 33: Building maintenance and repairs
The building must be maintained in a good condition and not allowed to deteriorate beyond repair. The characteristics of the building must be taken into account during repair so as not to stylistically differ from the original.
A building listed for conservation in the city plan or under the Act on the Protection of Buildings may not be altered or used so that its architectural or historical value in the cityscape decreases. When necessary, a statement regarding the planned changes and the cultural and historical value of the building must be requested from the museum authority well in advance.
If the building is listed for conservation in the city plan, including an order not to change its facade style, changing the material, colouring or window division of the facade or the roof, doors or window frames is considered a change of style, unless specific reasons indicate otherwise. Specific reasons may include long-term functionality of the repairs, service life of repair materials, maintenance needs and energy efficiency.
If the building is listed for conservation regarding its interior, changing the ceiling, interior walls, floor, mouldings, fittings or lighting or other fixtures including furniture is considered change of style.
The provisions of sections 30–32 concerning construction also apply to repair construction where applicable. When planning repair construction, the building’s structures must be surveyed for potential contamination.
Graffiti must be removed from facades as soon as it is technically possible.
Section 34: Complete or partial demolition
For a specific reason, the building control authority may, when processing a building permit application including demolition, or a demolition permit application, require that the applicant submit a report on the historical or architectural value of the building and its interior.
The building control authority may in its decision require creating a demolition plan before beginning demolition work.
If, based on the construction and demolition waste survey provided by the applicant, there are useful building components available, they must be removed for re-use during demolition if technically possible and not causing unreasonable costs. Useful components must be primarily used in the buildings or structures in the lot in question. If this is not possible technically or for other legitimate reason, the useful components must be re-used in construction elsewhere, and if this is not possible either, the material must be made use of otherwise. A report of the useful components’ destination must be presented at final inspection.
Demolition may not cause noise, dust or comparable impact on the environment.
If the construction of a new building does not start immediately after complete or partial demolition, the lot must be cleaned immediately after demolition and any damage to the street or other public area must be repaired without delay.
Chapter 7: Urban public spaces
Section 35: Definition of urban public space
Urban public space refers to a space defined in the city plan as street, street square, market place, park, recreational or traffic area, or to a space outside the city plan area in the aforementioned use.
Section 36: Streets, market squares and comparable traffic areas
Paving materials and structures on streets, market squares and comparable traffic areas must be designed and built to adapt to the cityscape and characteristics of each district and accessible.
When repaving a street, the height of its surface may not be changed without a specific reason in such way that the lots along the street remain substantially lower or higher compared to the earlier situation.
Section 37: Structures and equipment in urban public spaces
The size, structure and appearance of items to be placed in urban public spaces must be designed and built to adapt to the cityscape of each district and not to prevent mobility or activity.
Distribution cabinets and comparable technical equipment must be placed inside buildings in an apartment house area. If this is not possible without unreasonable effort, they can be placed in the street or other public area. Placing equipment in the street or other public area must be agreed upon with an agreement signed with the Urban Environment Division’s resident and business services.
Equipment owner must maintain equipment in a good condition and tidy.
Section 38: Parks and recreational areas
The buildings, facilities and other structures built in parks and comparable recreational areas as well as the paving of park corridors must adapt to the character of each park or area.
The facilities and structures must suit their purpose and be safe and durable.
Section 39: Shores, piers and docks in urban public spaces
Natural shorelines in urban public spaces may not be changed more than slightly by filling, excavation or in comparable way by contrast to the city plan or other general plan without the permission of the building control authority and the environmental permit authority if necessary.
Docks, breakwaters and comparable structures placed on the shore of an urban public space must adapt to the cityscape.
Section 40: Construction of masts
Masts and comparable technical towers must be located so that they do not unnecessarily break the landscape nor disturb the neighbours.
Section 41: Lighting of urban public space
The provisions in section 10 about lot lighting also apply to urban public space as applicable.
Section 42: Erecting structures, fences and advertising related to events
Structures, fences and advertising can be set up in an event area without the building control authority's permission for a maximum of two months if related to organizing an event.
The structures must be safe to use and not cause more than minor harm to the environment or the vegetation on site.
Organizing an event on city-controlled land requires obtaining the consent of the authority controlling the area or other comparable authority.
Chapter 8: Construction sites
Section 43: Establishing and maintaining a construction site
Taking into consideration pedestrian safety in particular, a construction site must be separated from its surroundings safely and purposefully by fencing if necessary. The size, structure, material and colour of the fence must adapt to the environment.
The site must be kept organized and tidy. The construction site must be managed so that it does not cause damage to persons or property, disturb traffic or other activities nor cause unreasonable harm to the environment.
Construction materials must be stored on site so that they are protected according to manufacturers’ instructions. Fuels, lubricants and other substances for machinery must be stored so that no dangerous or harmful ingredients enter the soil.
Storm or drainage water containing plenty of solids or sludge or harmful substances may not be discharged from the construction site directly into a water body or ditch.
Section 44: Use of street or other public area
Urban Environment Division’s resident and business services may grant a temporary right to use street or other public area for a construction site and its service rooms.
The applicant of such right must include in their notification the necessary plans for fencing the construction site, for waste management, routes for pedestrians and vehicles, and limiting noise, dust and other nuisance. The notification will lead to a decision, and there will be a charge approved by the City for using the area.
Section 45: Temporary buildings on site
Necessary temporary buildings can be placed in a lot under construction or on the street or other directly connected public area to which the Urban Environment Division’s resident and business services have granted right of use pursuant to section 44.
Section 46: Excavations in public street or traffic areas
The Urban Environment Division’s resident and business services must be notified about digging and excavations in the street or other public area. This obligation to notify is regulated by an act on the maintenance and cleanliness of street and certain public areas (31 August 1978/669). A permit for excavations in port areas must be applied for from Port of Helsinki.
Section 47: Construction site notice board
A notice board in Finnish and Swedish must be erected well in advance before starting work on a construction site that has a significant impact on the environment. At minimum, the board must indicate the project and its address, the party engaging in the building project and their contact information as well as the starting date and the estimated completion date of the project.
Section 48: Waste management on site
Waste management on the construction site must be planned. The site must have facilities for managing waste proportionate to its size.
Section 49: Site disassembly and cleanup
After construction has been completed, temporary buildings, fences and comparable structures must be removed without delay and the site cleaned. Damaged street and other public areas must be repaired without delay.
Chapter 9: Environmental and health protection
Section 50: Lot waste management
Waste collection, sorting and management facilities proportionate to the size and use of the buildings in the lot must be indicated in the building permit application.
If waste collection structures are placed in the yard, they must be protected with a shelter, canopy or enclosure and landscaped with plants.
Section 51: Local waste collection stations
Urban public space may be used to establish local waste collection stations. A permit from the building control authority must be applied for the collection station unless its location is based in a legally effective city plan or approved street or park plan.
Section 52: Monitoring the condition of trees on the property
Property owner must monitor the condition of the trees on the property. If a tree causes danger to its environment, the property owner must take necessary action.
Section 53: Considering groundwater during construction
When planning construction, its impact on groundwater quality, elevation and flow must be surveyed if necessary. The survey report must be included in the permit application.
Permanent groundwater lowering always requires a groundwater management plan created by a specialist. The plan must indicate the impact of groundwater lowering on the surrounding structures, vegetation and municipal engineering.
Section 54: Construction in a critical groundwater area
When applying for a building permit in a critical groundwater area, the application for the building permit and if necessary, the action permit must include a groundwater management plan created by a specialist and a related groundwater monitoring programme.
The party engaging in a building project must ensure appropriate compliance with the plan and the programme and the monitoring of construction works. In every aspect of construction special attention must be paid to avoiding groundwater contamination.
During excavation, a sufficient protective layer must be left between the highest stage of the water table and ground surface. Stone-based soil of appropriate quality must be used for fill-up.
Wastewater drainage system’s tightness must be verified by testing it before commissioning. Groundwater may not be used as an energy source for heat pumps in critical groundwater areas.
The above shall be applied as applicable when applying for a landscaping permit.
Section 55: Considering wooden foundation structures during construction
In areas where wooden stilts or other wooden structures have been used as foundations of buildings, construction must not adversely change the prevailing groundwater level or prevent groundwater flow conditions. Short-term changes to groundwater during construction require a groundwater management plan created by a specialist and a related groundwater monitoring programme. The party engaging in a building project must ensure appropriate compliance with the plan and the programme.
Section 56: Considering degraded soil and harmful compounds during construction
If the soil of the lot or the surrounding area is contaminated or suspected to have contaminated, it must be surveyed and cleaned if necessary before starting construction.
If soil purity has not been completely proved by tests, the building control authority may require the applicant to ensure by substructural and ventilation design that no potentially harmful compounds in the soil can enter the building.
Appropriate soil quality must be ensured when planning to build streets, parks and other public areas.
Section 57: Noise reduction
During design and construction, special attention must be paid to preventing outside noise from entering the building. Specific regulations must be complied with regarding maximum noise levels in the various parts of the building.
Section 58: Underground construction
The impact of construction on the environment must be surveyed to a sufficient extent when planning to build underground. In particular, it must be ensured that construction will not impact the safety of the existing above- and underground structures.
Drilling a hole for a geothermal heat pump may not damage underground district heating, water, sewage and other tunnels, pipes or cables nor any rock-covered facilities, such as cable tunnels, air-raid shelters or parking garages.
If the underground facility is intended for permanent or temporary use by people, special attention must be paid to safety and health.