Denmark Planning Act

Summary: Denmark's 2002 Planning Act, reproduced here in part, provides for decentralized, municipality-based planning, overseen by twelve regional authorities, leaving the state with veto power. The act's goal is to create a unified system of planning that takes into account the interests of society, such as quality of living conditions, and of environmental well-being. Denmark seeks to attain these goals by comprehensive municipal planning, detailed local planning, and permits for construction and changes in land use in rural zones. The act requires that each municipality have a municipal plan with clear objectives and framework, including provisions allotting land for various purposes, such as garden and recreational areas. The English version of the act provided here was translated by David Breuer. Provisions omitted from the act are indicated by an ellipsis.

The act is available in the Danish at: www.mim.dk

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT SPATIAL PLANNING DEPARTMENT

THE PLANNING ACT IN DENMARK

Consolidated Act No. 763 of 11 September 2002

The Planning Act

Denmark has a simple and clear spatial planning system that strongly decentralizes the delegation of responsibility. The municipal councils are responsible for comprehensive municipal planning, detailed local planning and permits for construction and changes in land use in rural zones. The 12 regional planning authorities are responsible for regional planning. The Minister for the Environment may influence decentralized planning through national planning initiatives. The state may veto the planning of municipalities and regional planning authorities to uphold national interests.