The Act regulates spatial planning in Estonia and establishes the principles, scope and requirements for planning activities. It applies to planning of land and water areas, airspace and the ground below the surface, including, where provided by law, areas extending to the external border of the exclusive economic zone. It defines spatial plans, their components and their function in determining land use and building conditions. The Act sets out the rules for planning procedures and the implementation of spatial plans, including requirements for their preparation, content and structure. It provides for the application of administrative procedures and regulates the integration of strategic environmental assessment into the planning process, while referring to separate legislation for detailed requirements of such assessments. The Act determines the authorities responsible for organising spatial planning work and establishes their duties in relation to the preparation, coordination and implementation of spatial plans and the assessment of their impacts. It regulates access to planning information and provides for public participation in planning proceedings, including the submission of opinions and the organisation of public displays and discussions. The Act provides for different types of spatial plans and governs their preparation, approval, entry into force and review. It includes provisions on cooperation between authorities, notification and publication requirements, and the legal effects of plans, including their role as a basis for construction activities and the determination of land use conditions.
Estonia · 2015-01-28