Decisions on off-road and water traffic permits are made by the municipal environmental protection authority or the Finnish Supervisory Agency.
Apply for a permit from the municipal environmental protection authority for:
the repeated or permanent organization of competitions and practice sessions with motorized vehicles in the same off-road terrain
the repeated or permanent organization of competitions and practice sessions with motorized watercraft in the same water area
The processing time for an application at the municipal environmental protection authority is approximately 2–4 months, and a fee is charged in accordance with the current charge.
Permit under the Off-Road Traffic Act
Off-road terrain refers to an area that is not a road and is not intended for traffic. Water areas covered by ice are also considered off-road terrain. Motorized vehicles may not be driven off-road without the landowner’s permission. If motor vehicle competitions or practice sessions are organized regularly off-road, a permit must be sought from the municipal environmental authority. A permit must also be applied for if an individual event may cause significant harm to nature, housing, public recreation, or fishing, among others. A permit is not required if an environmental permit has been granted for the area or if the area is specifically designated for motor vehicle use in the detailed plan.
How to proceed
Submit your off-road traffic permit application using the electronic form found below. A written permit granted by the landowner or holder must be attached to the application.
Requirements for granting an off-road traffic permit
The event meets sufficient safety requirements.
The activity does not cause unreasonable harm to nature or the rest of the environment, fishing, housing, public recreation, or other public interests.
Written permission for organizing the activity has been obtained from the owner or holder of the area.
Permit under the Water Traffic Act
A permit from the municipal environmental protection authority is required for competitions or practice sessions involving motorboats or other motorized watercraft. If the event takes place within the territory of several municipalities, the application is processed by the Finnish Supervisory Agency. A permit is required if the event is organized repeatedly or regularly. A permit must also be applied for to organize a single event if significant environmental harm is expected. A permit under the Water Traffic Act is not required if an environmental permit has already been granted for the activity or if the area is specifically designated for such activity in the plan. A permit is also not required for rescue or maritime rescue exercises, exercises by authorities supervising water traffic, or exercises by the Finnish Defence Forces.
How to proceed
Submit a water traffic permit application as a free-form application. The application must include the location and time of the event, a map of the operating area, the written consent of the water area owner, as well as an assessment of environmental impacts and the prevention of potential harm. Send the carefully filed in application and its attachments to the City of Hämeenlinna environmental protection unit by email to kaupunkirakenne@hameenlinna.fi.
Requirements for granting a water traffic permit
The event meets sufficient safety requirements.
The activity does not cause unreasonable harm to nature or the rest of the environment, fishing, public recreation, or other public interests.
The owner of the water area has given their consent for the event. If the water area is jointly owned, the consent is decided upon in accordance with the Act on Jointly Owned Areas.
Off-road and water traffic permit processing
Initiation of the application
Public notice and hearing of interested parties
Statements, inspections, and investigation of the matter
Official decision
Notification of the decision and invoicing
Appeal period (request for administrative review to the decision-maker)
The decision is legally valid if no appeal is filed.
Background and legislation
Off-road traffic permits are regulated under Section 30 of the Off-Road Traffic Act (1710/1995).
Water traffic permits are regulated under Section 106 of the Water Traffic Act (728/2019).
