The extraction of soil is regulated by the Land Extraction Act. The Act applies to the extraction of stone, gravel, sand, clay, and topsoil.
Land extraction permit
The extraction of soil for purposes other than private household use requires a permit in accordance with the Land Extraction Act. Rock quarrying or crushing may also require an environmental permit. A land extraction permit application and an environmental permit application concerning the same project are usually processed together, and a single decision is issued (joint processing).
How to proceed
Seek consultant assistance for the application.
Submit the application using the forms available on the environmental administration website below. Attach an extraction plan to the permit application, providing detailed information on the extraction of materials and environmental management. Send the application and its attachments by email to the City of Hämeenlinna environmental protection unit at kaupunkirakenne@hameenlinna.fi.
Apply for the permit well in advance. The processing time at the municipal environmental protection authority is approximately 7 months, and a fee is charged in accordance with the established charge.
Land extraction permit process
Initiation of the application
Supplementing the application if necessary
Public notice of the application for 30 days
Requests for statements and hearing of concerned parties
Hearing of the applicant
Official decision
Public notice of the decision for 30 days
Invoicing and communication of the decision
Appeal period
The decision is legally valid if no appeal is filed.
Extraction for household use
The extraction of soil for ordinary household use in housing or agriculture and forestry does not require a permit. The use must be related to construction or the maintenance of access routes. A notice of extraction for household use must be submitted to the municipal environmental protection authority if more than 500 cubic metres of material are extracted.
How to proceed
Submit a notice of extraction for household use if you intend to extract more than 500 cubic metres of soil. Submit a new notice once the previously notified amount has been extracted.
Submit the notice using the form available on the environmental administration website below. Attach a map extract showing the location of the extraction site. Send the notice and its attachments by email to the City of Hämeenlinna environmental protection unit at kaupunkirakenne@hameenlinna.fi.
Provisions on land extraction permits are laid down in Section 4 of the Land Extraction Act (555/1981). Provisions on the joint processing of land extraction permits and environmental permits are laid down in Section 4 a of the Land Extraction Act (555/1981). Provisions on extraction for household use are laid down in Section 4 of the Land Extraction Act (555/1981).
