Regulating construction

	Photo: Jussi Rautsi

Construction in Finland is controlled
by the Land Use and Building Act.
More detailed regulations and controls on construction are included in the Land Use and Building Decree.

The Building Code of Finland contains technical regulations and instructions referring to building.

The objective of building guidance is to promote:  

• creation of a good living environment that is socially functional and aesthetically harmonious, safe and pleasant and serves the needs of its users,
• building based on approaches which have sustainable and economical life-cycle properties and which are socially and economically viable, and create and maintain cultural values,
• continuous care and maintenance of the built environment and building stock.

Building administration in Finland

The central government authority in charge of developing and directing both land use and planning and building activities is the Ministry of the Environment.

On the regional level there are 13 Regional Environment Centres subordinated to the Ministry. The centres steer the building activities within the area covered by a local authority.

The local (municipal) authorities are independently responsible for drafting and approving master plans and local detailed plans. The statutory functions regarding building control are the charge of a committee appointed by the local authority. The local authority must have a building inspector who advises in and supervises building issues

More information

Mr. Pekka Lukkarinen, Senior Architect, Ministry of the Environment
Tel. +358 400 143 950
E-mail: firstname.surname@ymparisto.fi