Permits and decrees

According to Art. 2 WaG, any area is considered a forest if it

• has a minimum area of 250 m2
• is planted with forest trees and/or shrubs
• has a minimum age of 12 years
• and at the same time can fulfill forest functions.

Whoever proves an interest worthy of protection can have the Office for the Environment determine whether an area is forest. (Art. 8, WaG)

Clearing is the permanent or temporary alienation of forest land. Clearing is prohibited in principle, regardless of whether trees have to be felled for this purpose or not (Art. 6 WaG). The government may grant a clearing permit upon application by a municipality if:

• important reasons exist that outweigh the public interest in forest conservation
• the clearing does not lead to any danger to the environment
• there is a site constraint for the work for which clearing is to be carried out
• the plant meets the requirements of the state planning factually

The construction of non-forestry buildings and facilities is generally prohibited in the forest (Art. 11 WaG). Exceptions are possible in the case of small buildings that do not affect the structure of the forest (e.g. bee houses) or that are of great public interest (protection or supply of land and communities)

Fire may be lit in forests only at suitable places (Art. 22 WaG). The Office for the Environment can issue local du Zeitliche Feuerungsverbote.