Byggeforbudssoner kraftledninger
Around power lines, a byggeforbudssone (building prohibition zone) is set aside where new development is not allowed and all groundworks must be cleared with the line owner in advance. The zone is restricted under a licence granted pursuant to the energiloven (Energy Act) and either ekspropriasjon (expropriation) under the oreigningslova (Expropriation Act) or an amicable agreement with the affected landowners, registered as a heftelse (encumbrance) on the property in question.
The width of the zone varies with the voltage level and the type of line. Typically 11 to 18 metres on each side of transmission grid lines of 132 to 420 kV operated by Statnett, while regional and distribution grids at lower voltages have narrower zones, down to 4 to 6 metres. Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) grants licences under section 3-1 of the energiloven, and the geographical extent is calculated from the centre line of the power line.
The zones are often drawn in as hensynssoner (consideration zones) in municipal plans and reguleringsplaner (zoning plans) under section 11-8 letter a of the plan- og bygningsloven (Planning and Building Act). Direktoratet for strålevern og atomsikkerhet (DSA) also applies an assessment threshold of 0.4 microtesla for long-term occupancy, so new homes, kindergartens and schools near high-voltage lines must go through a magnetic field assessment even when they lie outside the building prohibition zone itself. Breaches can be met with orders to rectify and coercive fines under chapter 32 of the plan- og bygningsloven, and a dispensasjon (exemption) is granted only in exceptional cases after an individual assessment by the line owner and the municipality together.
When a new grid installation is planned, the area can be set aside in advance as an ikke-utbygd nettanlegg (grid installation not yet built) before construction starts. The same rules also limit what you may build under, beside or across existing lines.
In Placepoint, power lines and their building prohibition zones are shown as part of the Energy map layer, so early in an acquisition you can see whether a property is affected by a zone.
How the dataset appears on the map
The dataset is part of the map layer Energy:
From Placepoint's dictionary: Byggerforbudssoner kraftledninger
More information: NVE: Nett og kraftledninger, Lovdata: Energiloven, DSA: Magnetfelt fra kraftledninger
English: Power-line building exclusion zones.
Frequently asked questions
What are building prohibition zones around power lines?
Building prohibition zones around power lines are restricted areas based on a licence under the energiloven. Within the zone, new development is prohibited, and all groundworks must be cleared with the line owner in advance.
How wide is a building prohibition zone?
The width of the zone varies with the voltage level and the type of line. High-voltage lines typically have zones of several tens of metres on each side, while small distribution grids can have narrower zones.
How do I find power line zones on a plot?
You can find power line zones in public map databases, such as the map portals of Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) and the services of Kartverket. Placepoint also shows infrastructure data including grid installations as map layers.
What happens if you build in a building prohibition zone?
Building in breach of the zone prohibition is unlawful and can be met with a demolition order. There is also a safety risk because of high voltage, electromagnetic fields and the danger of a line break.
Can you apply for an exemption from the building prohibition zone?
Yes, an exemption can sometimes be made after a specific assessment by the line owner. As a general rule, however, all permanent development is prohibited, and permission is rarely given for homes.