Land Use Act (132/1999) establishes the legal framework for land-use planning and the planning and use of areas in Finland. Its objectives include creating a good living environment and promoting ecologically, economically, socially and culturally sustainable development, while ensuring public participation, transparency and high-quality planning. The Act regulates the Finnish land-use planning system, including national land-use guidelines, regional planning, municipal master and detailed plans, impact assessment, planning procedures and public participation, and defines the roles of national, regional and municipal authorities. Environmental considerations are integrated into planning, including the assessment of impacts on the environment and sustainable use of land and natural resources.
Act 752/2023 substantially reorganised the legislation by removing the building-related provisions and changing the Act's name from the Land Use and Building Act to the Land Use Act, effective 1 January 2025. The building provisions were transferred to the separate Construction Act (751/2023), while the amended 132/1999 continues to govern land-use planning.
The Act is supplemented by the Land Use and Building Decree (895/1999), which provides detailed rules on planning procedures, plan content, environmental impact assessment, public participation and other aspects of land-use planning
