Permits for the placement, work, and use of streets and public areas

Requests for permits and reservations can be made to municipal authorities responsible for the construction and maintenance of streets and green areas.

You can apply for the permit for public areas from the municipality. The permit for public areas applies to the placement of a line, equipment or structure, related work, as well as the use of public areas, for example during an event.

The person responsible for the work must notify the city of the work on the street and in the public area 21 days before starting the work. The work can be started as soon as the city has given its consent to starting the work. The notification must include a report demonstrating the use of the area during the work, the duration of the work, the placement of the equipment and structures used in the work, temporary traffic arrangements, considering all modes of transport, as well as the person responsible for the work. As a result of the notification, the city may issue orders on the performance of the work.

If a trader has established their business in another country within the European Economic Area and intends to provide their services temporarily in Finland, the trader is subject to the same obligations as all other traders established in Finland.

The processing of the permit requires clear maps of matters. The maps must show a base map and the unambiguous location of the placement or work. The possibility of locating the work must be checked in the plan combination map.

The use of public areas maintained and administered by the municipality are subject to a permit. The regulations and instructions of the permits are based on the Act on the Maintenance and Cleaning of Streets and Certain Public Areas, the Land Use and Building Act, the Road Traffic Act, and the Government Decree on the Safety of Construction Work.

The site must have a table showing the performer of the work, an estimate of the duration of the work, and the contact details of the person responsible for the work. The work area must be kept clean and the area must be restored to its original condition during approved working hours.

The use of the work area for purposes other than those specified in the permit is prohibited.

Permits for using streets and green areas for exceptional purposes must be sought from the municipality. A permit must be sought for such purposes as cultural events.

If you need to lease a street or green area due to, for example, nearby construction work, you must post a worksite board that details the party performing the work and the contact details of the person responsible for the work.