Initial afforestation Approval

If you are planning to plant new woodland and reforest wooded meadows, you must submit a corresponding application.

The creation of new forests and the afforestation of forest meadows may only be carried out with the prior approval of the competent authority under state law. If you are planning such a project and submit a corresponding application, the competent authority, with the involvement of the lower forestry authority (and other specialist authorities involved), will check whether the legal requirements have been met. Once you have received the relevant approval, you can implement your plans.

Your application for a new forest plantation will be examined and decided on by the district committees of the administrative districts or by the magistrates of the independent cities. Other specialist authorities (e.g. the forestry office as the lower forestry authority) are involved in the process. For areas larger than five hectares, the decision is also made in consultation with the regional planning authority and the higher forestry authority.

Permission can be granted for a limited period and subject to conditions.

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance necessary: No

Informal written application:

• Applicant (name, address), date, signature
• Description of the purpose for the creation of new forest or the afforestation of forest meadows
• Justification of the project
• Details of the planned implementation period
• Information on planned tree species
• Information on the area for which a new forest or afforestation of a forest meadow is planned:
  • District, parcel, parcel(s)
  • Area size
  • Site plan or aerial map with area marked
  • Proof of ownership (copy of land register)
  • Information on current use
    

You submit your application with the required documents to the responsible licensing authority.

The rest of the procedure is as follows:

1. Examination of the documents by the approval authority
2. Agreement is reached with the specialist authorities to be involved
3. Examination and, if necessary, inclusion of conditions and decision on the application
4. If approval is granted, the approval notice will be sent to you

Costs: 100 euros per hectare.

The costs are set out in the Administrative Cost Regulations for the Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (VwKostO-MUKLV) - as amended.

• For areas larger than five hectares, approval is granted in consultation with the regional planning authority and the higher forestry authority.
• Approval can only be refused if:
  • Interests of regional planning and spatial planning,
  • agricultural interests
  • the interests of nature and landscape conservation are jeopardized or
  • significant disadvantages for the surrounding area are to be feared.
• It may be granted subject to conditions.
• The permit includes other decisions under public law relating to the establishment of new forests
• If afforestation is planned as replacement afforestation:
  • this can also be carried out in advance in accordance with the regulations on the eco-account
  • with the proviso that the lower nature conservation authority must consult with the lower forestry authority