The current environmental protection regulations have been in effect since 15 July 2018 and 23 April 2026 as decided by the Environment and Permits Sub-committee of the Urban Environment Committee.
General regulations
Section 1 Objective, scope of application and relation to other regulations
The objective of environmental protection regulations is to prevent environmental pollution while taking local conditions into account.
These environmental protection regulations must be abided by in the City of Helsinki in order to fulfil the responsibilities specified in the Environmental Protection Act (527/2014). These regulations are valid throughout the city, unless otherwise specified later on.
The regulations are not applied to operations that are subject to a permit or registration based on the Environmental Protection Act. The regulations are also not applied to actions in accordance with section 31 of the Environmental Protection Act, situations in accordance with section 120 of the Environmental Protection Act or the notification procedure specified in subsection 1 of section 136 of the Environmental Protection Act or operations of the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard.
These regulations are not applied to the handling and storage of chemicals by facilities conducting limited or large-scale industrial handling and storage of chemicals, which is subject to a permit or a notification.
Environmental protection regulations are observed alongside other municipal regulations and simultaneously with them, where applicable. These regulations include the waste management regulations in the Helsinki region and the City of Helsinki building order.
Section 2 Issuing and monitoring environmental protection regulations
The administrative regulations of the City of Helsinki (City Council 3 May 2017, Section 206) delegate the issuing of environmental protection regulations to the City Environment Committee’s Environment and Permits Sub-committee that issues orders on the basis of section 202 of the Environmental Protection Act (527/2014).
Compliance with regulations is monitored by the municipal environmental protection authority, which in Helsinki comprises the City Environment Committee’s Environment and Permits Sub-committee and the City of Helsinki Environment Services ( kaupunkiymparisto@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program), +358 (0)9 310 1635).
Section 3 Local conditions
The City of Helsinki has areas that require more specific regulations on preventing, removing and reducing environmental contamination.
Important groundwater areas refers to the groundwater areas of Vartioharju, Tattarisuo, Vuosaari, Santahamina, Isosaari and Fazerila, which is partly located in Vantaa. Groundwater areas are specified in the Helsinki map service, for example (Kartta.hel.fi -> Environment and nature -> Geotechnical material).
Flood risk areas refers to areas that are likely to be submerged by water during sea floods occurring once every fifty years. The areas are indicated in the flood map service maintained by the Finnish Environment Institute.
The facts that Helsinki mainly consists of densely built areas and that Helsinki has plenty of beaches and islands with no road access are also considered local conditions.
Construction site water, wastewater, toilet waste, snow dumping sites and manure processing
Section 4 The processing and management of construction site water on temporary construction sites
Construction site water refers to water or sludge generated on construction sites, such as lower and/or upper groundwater seeping into the construction building pits, rainwater, drainage water from areas surrounding pits, water used for various work processes such as drilling as well as water or sludge generated during the renovation of external building surfaces, which must then be conveyed away from the site in order to continue construction.
Construction site water generated by construction and renovation sites and other temporary operations containing an amount of harmful substances that causes a risk of pollution must not be directed into the sea, a water body specified in the Water Act (587/2011), the sewer network or open ditches without pre-processing that either removes the harmful substances or sufficiently decreases the amount of harmful substances in the water. The absorption of water into the ground requires that the construction site water will not pollute the groundwater. The water directed into the drainage water system must not cause any blockages or corrosion in the sewer network.
If construction site water is going to be directed into the drainage, waste or combined sewer system, you must contact the Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY). HSY may set requirements for the quality and quantity of the water being directed into the waste water and combined sewer system.
Section 5 Wastewater treatment in areas not connected to a sewer network of a water management authority
The absorption of untreated toilet wastewater into the ground is prohibited. The absorption of untreated toilet wastewater and other domestic wastewater into the ground is prohibited in important groundwater areas.
Building flush toilets in holiday homes on waterfront areas and in the archipelago is prohibited, unless the property is connected to the water supply and sewer system.
The archipelago refers to islands with no permanent road access.
Section 6 The placement and maintenance of domestic wastewater treatment equipment and toilets
The treatment system for domestic wastewater and the point of discharge for treated domestic wastewater on properties must be located at a safe distance from water bodies, domestic wells, ditches or similar channels as well as the border of the property. The sufficient distance is determined case-specifically. The minimum safety distance to water bodies is usually at least 25 metres.
The absorption piping in the absorption area must be located at least one metre above the topmost groundwater level, if possible. The lower surface of the absorption area must be located at least 50 centimetres above the topmost groundwater level, if possible.
The possessor of the property must ensure that the domestic wastewater treatment equipment is functional in all conditions and that its efficiency corresponds to the requirements specified in the Government Decree on treating domestic wastewater in areas not connected to the sewer system (157/2017). Settling wells and sewage tanks must be emptied frequently enough. Sewage tanks must be equipped with an overfill alarm. The emptying of settling wells and closed sewage tanks must comply with the waste management regulations of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Kirkkonummi.
Property owners must be knowledgeable about the structure, condition and maintenance of their systems as well as the emptying of the tanks. Owners must keep a record of any maintenance performed on the equipment and the emptying of tanks, which must be presented to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority upon request. The possessor of the property must order the emptying of their septic and sewage tank sludge from the Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY) in accordance with the common waste management regulations of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Kirkkonummi. Receipts of these transactions must be kept in the property’s maintenance records for three years.
The wastewater treatment system that discharges the treated water into a ditch or absorption pit, for example, must be designed so that representative samples may be taken from the water exiting and entering it in order to ensure efficient treatment.
The bottom sections of composting and dry toilets must be impermeable, and the toilets must be maintained so that they do not cause pollution in the groundwater or other hazards to the environment or health.
Section 7 Placement of outside paddocks and horseback-riding fields and manure removal
In order to prevent water pollution, outside paddocks and horseback-riding fields must be located at a sufficient distance from water bodies and main ditches as well as wells and springs used for acquiring domestic water. Outside paddocks or pastures must not be located in flood risk areas. Outside paddocks refers to open yards with no plant cover for the year-round use of horses and ponies.
The locations of new outside paddocks and horseback-riding fields must comply with the following minimum safety distances depending on the conditions on the plot and its immediate vicinity:
- distance to domestic water well or spring 30–100 metres
- distance to water body 20–50 metres
- distance to main ditch 10–30 metres
Manure must be removed from outside paddocks and horseback-riding fields daily and placed into a watertight manure storage area. The topsoil of outside paddocks and horseback-riding fields must be replaced when necessary.
A written agreement or receipt must be available for the assignment of manure, which must be presented to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority upon request.
Establishing a stable or expanding the operations significantly must be reported to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority in advance for the purposes of gaining the necessary information for monitoring.
Section 8 The washing and maintenance of vehicles, machines and similar equipment
The professional and other frequent washing of vehicles, machines and similar equipment, or washing using detergents containing hydrocarbon solvents is only allowed in locations where the water can be directed to or collected in the sewage drain through oil and sand separators. Professional washing operations may only utilise approved detergent combinations.
When washing vehicles, machines and similar equipment occasionally using detergents that do not contain hydrocarbon solvents, the water may be absorbed into the ground with permission from the land-owner, provided that it does not cause environmental pollution. Water containing detergents or other agents causing a pollution risk must not be directed to drainage water sewers or open ditches.
Solids and untreated wastewater generated by the washing of vehicles, machines and similar equipment or transfer plates must not be allowed to seep into the sea, water bodies specified in the Water Act or open ditches. Solids and untreated wastewater generated by washing must not be allowed to seep into public areas.
You must not wash or service machinery on work sites located in important groundwater areas.
Section 9 The washing and maintenance of boats
Washing boats with detergents containing hydrocarbon solvents is only allowed on sites where the washing water is directed into sewage drains through oil separators.
Washing boats with detergents that do not contain hydrocarbon solvents is allowed in winter storage areas if the wastewater is absorbed into the ground sufficiently far from the shoreline with permission from the land-owner.
The wastewater from occasional washing of boats using only water may be allowed to seep into the sea.
The primer on the bottom of boats must be removed over a sealed area that prevents environmentally hazardous primer waste from entering the soil and that allows for careful collection and disposal of any primer residue. Paint waste must be disposed of in the manner required for the nature of the waste in question. You must prevent the dust generated by grinding boats from spreading into the environment.
Section 10 Snow management areas
Snow management areas must be placed and implemented so that the meltwater or the waste within the snow do not pollute or cause a risk of pollution and do not compromise the comfort in the area. It is prohibited to designate snow management areas in important groundwater areas, in the sea, in a water body or on the shores of a water body. However, the prohibition regarding groundwater areas and shore areas does not apply to local snow storage sites.
However, snow dump areas can be placed in shore areas of water bodies in exceptional circumstances if the adverse effects to the water areas can be sufficiently prevented, for example through technical solutions such as sealing structures, water clearing and/or processing of meltwater.
Snow management areas refer to all snow dumps and local snow storage areas. The different types of snow management areas are further defined in Annex 1 to these regulations.
According to chapter 1, section 3 of the Water Act, a body of water means a lake, pond, river, stream or other natural body of water, as well as a reservoir, canal or other similar artificial body of water. A shore area to a water body refers to a waterfront zone that reaches to at least 100 metres away from the shoreline determined based on average water height.
Meltwater from snow management areas should be cleared and/or processed in other ways where necessary to eliminate any pollutants. The processed water can be discharged into the environment, into storm drains or absorbed into the ground, provided this can be done without the risk of pollution.
The owner of the snow management areas must deliver any waste carried to the area with the snow for appropriate treatment and ensure that the area is cleaned up after the snow has melted. The owner of the area is also otherwise responsible for keeping the site tidy.
The use of snow management areas is prohibited during night-time between 22.00 and 7.00, if the use or related traffic causes unreasonable disturbance to residential buildings, accommodation facilities or care institutions.
A written report on the establishment of a snow management area must be submitted to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authorities well in advance, but at least three months before the start of the operation. The report shall indicate the location of the area, the operation period, the daily operating hours, the volume of snow for which the area is intended, the traffic arrangements, the method of treatment of meltwater and monitoring of meltwater quality, where the meltwater will be discharged, maintenance measures, after-care measures and other relevant environmental and health impacts. However, such a report is not needed for local snow storage areas or smaller storage sites.
Storage of chemicals
Section 11 General regulations governing the storage of hazardous chemicals and waste
The storage of hazardous chemicals and waste must comply with the following general regulations:
- Liquid chemicals and waste must be stored in a manner preventing the chemicals and waste from seeping into the environment if an accident were to occur. This means that liquid chemicals must be stored in double-walled tanks, tanks placed in separate protective bunds, separate storage areas designed and built for the storage of chemicals and waste or some other storage area that prevents the chemicals from entering the environment.
The protective bund or storage area must be leak-proof, it must be able to withstand the chemicals or waste contained in it and it must have a volume equivalent at least to the largest container stored in the protective bund. Rainwater must be prevented from entering the bund.
When stored outside, liquid chemicals and waste must be placed on leak-proof and load-bearing platforms. Outside storage areas for liquid chemicals and waste must be fenced and locked or unauthorised access must be prevented in other ways.
Processing and storage areas must be equipped with absorbent material and any other necessary equipment to collect leaks.
In flood risk areas, the storage of chemicals and waste must be organised so that the chemicals and waste cannot be spread into the environment in the event of floods.
The regulations specified above do not apply to the storage of minor quantities of chemicals and waste in households.
The handling of hazardous waste is also subject to what has been regulated in the waste management regulations of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Kirkkonummi.
- Permanent refuelling stations for fuels and other chemicals must be placed on leak-proof, load-bearing platforms that can withstand chemicals. The fuel tanks must be placed at an elevation of at least 100 mm from the surface of the platform. In addition, the refuelling station must be constructed so that the chemicals cannot enter the soil, water bodies or the sewer system in the event of an accident.
Transportable fuel tanks must be placed on leak-proof platforms unless the structure of the tank incorporates a reservoir, double bottom or double wall or the tank is located in a covered protective bund. The tank must be placed so that the fuel cannot seep into the sewer system or water bodies in the event of an accident.
Refuelling stations must be equipped with absorbent material and equipment for the collection and storage of any leaks.
These regulations do not apply to refuelling stations on boat station piers or refuelling stations for heating oil containers used in properties.
Tanks used for the storage of fuel and other chemicals must be in good condition and equipped with at least the following:
- type plate
- anti-syphon device
- air pipe
- lockable filler opening
- overfill protector.
The refuelling valve and feed pump of the tank must be locked outside working hours and at other times as well, if necessary, to prevent unauthorised use.
- The tank possessor or owner must have underground oil, fuel and other chemical containers in use and located outside important groundwater areas inspected for first time 15 years after their commissioning, the second time 10 years after the first inspection and the third time and onwards 5 years after the last inspection, unless more frequent inspections are necessary due to the condition classification of the container. An inspection record must be drafted of the inspection and it must be stored and presented to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority upon request. Inspections may only be carried out by an inspector deemed qualified by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes).
Any accidents occurring in connection with hazardous waste or chemicals must be reported to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority without delay.
Section 12 Additional regulations governing the storage of hazardous chemicals and waste in important groundwater areas
In addition to what has been specified in section 11, the storage of hazardous chemicals and waste in tanks in important groundwater areas must comply with the following regulations:
- Fixed oil, fuel and other chemical storage tanks located outside buildings must be double-walled. Tanks must be equipped with an alarm system for any leaks between the walls.
- The tank possessor or owner must have inspected over ground oil, fuel and other chemical containers in use for first time 10 years after their commissioning, the second time 5 years after the first inspection and the third time and onwards 5 years after the last inspection, unless more frequent inspections are necessary due to the condition classification of the container. The tank inspection record must be stored, and a copy must be sent to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority within 14 days of the inspection. Inspections may only be carried out by an inspector deemed qualified by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes).
- In addition to the fuel in the fuel tanks of machinery, a maximum of 2,000 litres of fuel per contractor may be stored on work sites in separate containers at any one time.
Acceptable containers include:
- tanks equipped with fixed protective bunds
- single-walled tanks placed in covered bunds corresponding to the size of the tank
- type-approved and periodically inspected IBC containers placed in protective bunds.
The soil structure of the refuelling area must be leak-proof and constructed from a material that is impermeable to the fuel being processed. The leak-proof area must cover an area expanding at least one metre from the filler opening and refuelling device.
It is prohibited to store any other chemicals and waste posing a groundwater pollution risk in the work site.
Waste management and smoke nuisance
Section 13 Handling of containers removed from use
The container possessor or owner must empty, clean and inspect underground oil, fuel or other chemical containers that are removed from use. The person performing the cleaning and inspection must be authorised for the inspection of chemical containers by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency. A certificate of the cleaning and inspection must be sent to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority.
The tank is removed from use once it is no longer needed for the storage of the chemicals mentioned above. The filler and air pipes of the tanks must be removed.
If necessary, the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority may require further reports or the removal of the tank from the soil, if the tank is damaged or there are other reasons to suspect that the chemical stored in the tank has seeped into the soil.
When the property is transferred to another possessor, the previous possessor must provide the new possessor with information on the tank and its location as well as the certificate of the cleaning operation.
Section 14 Handling waste at the property
It is prohibited to dispose of waste by burning.
You can burn dry, clean and untreated wood waste in an appropriate fireplace and use paper or cardboard as kindling.
It is prohibited to burn branch wood, logging waste, leaves and other gardening waste openly, including burning them in barrels or other receptacles. The prohibition does not apply to the occasional burning of dry branch wood and logging waste on islands with no road access, or the occasional open burning of dry branches, branch wood, straw, logging waste, leaves and other similar natural, non-hazardous plant waste in connection with agriculture and forestry, unless it causes unreasonable disturbance to the neighbours.
The possessor of the property must notify the utilisation of waste in earth construction to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority in writing, unless the use requires an environmental permit or is governed by the Government decree on the Recovery of Certain Wastes in Earth Construction (843/2017). The notification must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the start of the utilisation. This obligation does not apply to the use of gardening waste and compostable food and toilet waste as soil conditioner.
The notification must provide the following information:
- type of waste
- origin of waste
- pre-treatment of waste
- intended disposal location
- amount of waste to be disposed of
- time of disposal.
Any analysis results depicting the environmental impact of the waste, a map of the disposal location, an account of how the waste is going to be disposed of into the soil and the land-owner’s consent must be attached to the notification. A form for the notification can be found on the City of Helsinki website.
Any toilet and food waste used as soil conditioners must be composted to remove any hazard and its processing must not cause any risk of pollution.
The waste management regulations of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Kirkkonummi also regulate the composting and other treatment of waste.
The use of flue dust and bottom ash generated by burning coal or oil as well as concrete and brick waste or other similar waste in earth construction in important groundwater areas is prohibited.
The possessor of the property must provide the new possessor of the property with pertinent information on the waste placed in the soil.
Section 15 Quality requirements for some wastes utilised in earth construction
Waste utilised in earth construction must be technically suitable for it and the waste must not contain significant amounts of substances that are hazardous to the environment or health.
Concrete and asphalt waste used for groundwork must consists of pieces with a maximum diameter of 150 mm, and the concrete waste must not contain significant amounts of reinforced steel or other waste.
The proportion of harmful substances in soil used for earth construction without a risk assessment must be below the threshold values mentioned in the Government Decree on the Assessment of Soil Contamination and Remediation Needs (214/2007).
Section 16 Preventing smoke nuisance
Heating and ventilation equipment must be adjusted, serviced and used so that the emissions do not harm health or comfort in general, or cause any other damage to the environment. The condition of heating equipment must be proven through an assessment issued by an expert upon request by the environmental protection authority.
Burning wood or any other solid fuel in fireplaces must not cause unreasonable smoke or odour nuisance to neighbours or the local environment.
Noise, vibration and dust control
Section 17 Obligation to inform and consult
The operator must inform in advance residents and other affected persons or sites of any activity that will cause temporary noise or vibration nuisance.
In addition, the operator shall consult with sites particularly sensitive to noise or vibration to agree on adequate measures to mitigate the nuisance. The harm should be minimised by mutual agreement. Particularly sensitive sites include sites such as care and educational institutions and religious institutions.
The noise and vibration abatement must be carried out using best available techniques when working in the vicinity of particularly sensitive sites.
Section 18 Passageway and yard maintenance and cleaning work
Generation of dust caused by mechanical removal of gritting sand or other mechanical maintenance and cleaning work must be prevented by dampening the area worked on, for example.
The use of leaf blowers for the purpose of removing gritting sand is prohibited.
Section 19 Dust suppression on construction sites
Construction and demolition work as well as the handling of construction waste, soil and rocks must be carried out in a manner that minimises nuisance posed by dust in all circumstances. You must always employ sufficiently efficient dust suppression methods in construction and demolition work as well as the handling of construction waste, soil and rocks, when dust may cause a nuisance or damage.
The heavy traffic access routes on construction sites must be kept as dust-free as possible by using a saline solution, for example. The street areas affected by construction sites must also be as free of the soil from the construction site as possible to minimise dust nuisance.
The soil and rocks being transported to and from sites as well as demolition waste must be kept as dust-free as possible, by dampening them, for example. Dusty loads must be dampened or covered when transported outside the construction site.
When renovating the external surfaces of buildings by sand blasting or using a similar method, the external surfaces must be covered to prevent dust, sand blasting waste and other impurities from spreading to the surroundings.
The windows and other openings in the walls of the building being renovated must be sealed so that dust and other harmful substances cannot enter the building. Automated ventilation must be switched off for the duration of the work, if necessary.
When removing paint chemically, sand blasting outer surfaces of buildings and removing sealants containing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) or lead, the surface of the soil must be protected by a leak-proof cover, for example, so that waste cannot enter the soil or the sewer system. When the work is finished, the yard and streets must be cleaned and any waste must be processed in accordance with what has been decreed for the nature of waste.
Emissions from machinery and equipment installed at the work site must be directed sufficiently far away from the air intakes of the building so that the fumes do not cause a health hazard to those in the building.
Section 20 Temporary excavation work
When open excavation is carried out less than 200 metres away from sites sensitive to dust, or when the transportation route of broken rocks runs near sites sensitive to dust, the drilling equipment must be equipped with suitable dust collection equipment, which must be used at all times when the work is being performed. The dust collection equipment must not be emptied at the blast site or among the broken rocks.
Section 21 Obligation to give notice of operations that will cause particularly disruptive temporary noise or vibration
The operator must issue an electronic notice (noise notification) in accordance with section 118 of the Environmental Protection Act to the City of Helsinki’s environmental protection authority at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the operations for the following operations:
- Crushing of rock or mineral construction waste.
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Excavation (drilling, blasting, breaking up rock and earthmoving), piling, breaking up rock (with equipment mounted on machine booms), high-power vacuuming or other construction or maintenance work with noise level (LAeq) exceeding 85 dB at a distance of 10 m from the noise source, if
- the work is carried out at other times than between 7.00 and 18.00 from Monday to Friday; or
- the number of working days exceeds 25.
If the work is related to the construction or maintenance of a traffic route or public infrastructure and is deemed necessary for traffic safety, traffic flow or other justified reasons during the evening and at weekends, the notification must only be submitted if the work is carried out between 22.00 and 7.00 at night or if the number of working days exceeds 25.
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An outdoor concert or other public event, if
- sound amplifiers are used at night between 22.00 and 7.00, or
- large open-air concerts are held in the same venue on more than 20 days a year. (Note! The obligation to submit a noise notification for daytime outdoor concerts will not enter into force until 1 January 2027.)
- Motor racing competition.
- An air show or temporary take-off and landing site with more than ten take-offs or landings in a year.
- A fireworks display, where fireworks exploding in the air are used at night after 22.00. Fireworks fired after midnight can be approved only for highly justified reasons. As an exception, fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve do not have to be reported.
The environmental protection authority may also require a notification of other activities if, despite the obligation to inform and consultation on measures related to nuisance abatement provided for in section 17 and the restrictions on night-time activities provided for in section 22, there is reason to assume that the noise or vibration is particularly disruptive.
Section 22 Disruptive noise or vibration at night-time
Operations causing disruptive noise or vibration are prohibited in the vicinity of residential buildings or accommodation premises and care facilities at night-time between 22.00 and 7.00.
This does not apply to construction or renovation work related to traffic routes or community development, or temporary work that must be performed at night-time due to traffic safety, flow of traffic or some other justifiable reason.
This prohibition also does not pertain to short-term events or operations, if the number, duration and end times of events organised in the same area during the year and the resulting noise do not constitute an unreasonable nuisance to those affected.
Any night-time operations causing noise and vibration are subject to a notification obligation and require consultation on sufficient noise abatement measures as decreed in section 17. In addition, a notification of noise must be submitted of certain actions in accordance with section 118 of the Environmental Protection Act, as provided for in section 21.
The noise and vibration abatement must be carried out using best available techniques when working in the vicinity of residential buildings, accommodation facilities and care homes.
Section 23 Use of sound equipment in shops and restaurants
Outdoor sound systems in shops and restaurants must be adjusted so that their repeated use does not cause noise nuisance to the neighbourhood. The provision also applies to indoor sound equipment in shops and restaurants if the noise from its use is carried out through open windows or doors.
The repeated use of outdoor sound amplification equipment in the vicinity of residential buildings and accommodation and care facilities is prohibited between 22.00 and 7.00 at night. In the vicinity of care and educational establishments, religious institutions and other similar particularly sensitive sites, the repeated use of sound equipment is prohibited also during daytime.
If temporary events of short duration are organised in the outdoor areas of shops and restaurants, where sound equipment is used in derogation of paragraphs 1 and 2, causing temporary noise nuisance to the neighbourhood, there is an obligation to inform those affected of the event, and the adequate measures to prevent noise nuisance shall be negotiated, as provided for in section 17. In addition, a notification of noise must be submitted of certain events in accordance with section 118 of the Environmental Protection Act, as provided for in section 21.
Other regulations
Section 24 Exceptions to environmental regulations
For special purposes, the municipal environmental protection authority may issue an individual case-specific permit to deviate from these regulations upon application.
Section 25 Consequences of neglecting or breaching environmental protection regulations
The consequences of neglecting or breaching environmental protection regulations and the related coercive measures are decreed in chapter 18 of the Environmental Protection Act.
Section 26 Regulation effective dates
The amended environmental protection regulations will enter into force on 15 May 2026.
However, the prohibition on dumping snow at sea provided for in section 10, subsection 1, will only enter into force on 1 May 2028, at the same time as the corresponding amendment to the Environmental Protection Act (144/2025).
Regulation reports in accordance with section 10 must be submitted for all snow dumping areas specified in section 10, subsection 8, including those for which no notification has previously been submitted to the environmental protection authorities. For these existing snow dumping areas, reports must be submitted by 1 January 2027.
However, the noise notification obligation for daytime outdoor concerts, as provided for in section 21, subsection 1, paragraph 3, will not enter into force until 1 January 2027
Definitions of snow management areas
Annex 1
The City of Helsinki has several different types of snow management areas to which snow from streets and properties is delivered. Different types of snow management areas include:
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General snow dump areas. This term covers all areas and sites for general snow management. The size of the area is about 0.25–3 hectares. Snow can be brought in from all over the city. The capacity varies from around 20,000 to 500,000m3 per winter. These include:
- Snow dump areas on land
- Snow melting stations
- Snow melting plants
- Snow dump areas at sea
- Back-up snow dump areas. This term refers to a medium-sized land area intended for the accumulation/dumping of snow on land and for the long-term storage of snow. The size of the area is about 0.25–0.75 hectares. Snow can be brought in from a limited area in the city. Capacity around 20,000-50,000m3 per winter.
- Temporary back-up snow dump areas. This term refers to a medium-sized land area intended for the accumulation/dumping of snow on land and for the temporary, short-term, over-winter storage of snow. The snow will be transported from the area in spring at the latest. The size of the area is about 0.25–0.75 hectares. Snow can be brought in from a limited area in the city. Capacity around 20,000-50,000m3 per winter.
- Local snow storage area. This term refers to small areas needed for snow storage in the immediate urban environment, i.e. on streets and in parks. The space is reserved in advance. Snow can be allowed to melt away naturally at the site, or it can be transported away if necessary. In spring, the potential remaining snow pile must be transported away. The size of the area is about 25–100m2 and the capacity is about 200m3 per winter.
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Temporary back-up local snow storage site. This term refers to small areas needed for snow storage in the immediate urban environment, i.e. on streets and in parks. The space is reserved in advance or made available if necessary, e.g. during heavy snowfall. Snow may be removed from the site several times during the winter. Snow can also be allowed to melt naturally on the site if there is not much snow. The potential remaining snow pile must be transported away in spring, at the latest. The size of the area is about 25–100m2 and the capacity is about 200m3 per winter. These also include:
- Snowbanks caused by snowploughing
- Rough hard-packed snow
For the purposes of these environmental protection regulations, snow dumping areas refer to snow management areas described above in sections 1–3, or to other sites with similar environmental impacts. Local snow storage areas, in turn, refer to sites smaller than those mentioned above, such as sites described in paragraphs 4–5 and smaller snow management areas.