Municipality plan

The municipality plan (kommuneplan) is the municipality's overarching governing document. It sets out the long-term development and gives direction for how and where development is to happen, so it is the first document you should check when you assess a property for development. The legal basis sits in plan- og bygningsloven chapter 11 (the Planning and Building Act), and the plan is adopted by the municipal council. The decision cannot be appealed, but affected sector authorities can raise an objection before adoption.

The municipality plan has two main parts:

• The social part (samfunnsdelen) addresses long-term challenges, goals and strategies for the municipality as a whole: population growth, climate, health, living conditions and business development. It gives direction, it is not legally binding.
• The land-use part (arealdelen) is the part developers care about most: a plan map with associated provisions and guidelines that shows the main features of how the municipality's land is to be used. The land-use part is legally binding for new development and new measures, and it governs what kind of zoning plans can be adopted under it.

The plan map in the land-use part is built on a standard set of land-use purposes under plan- og bygningsloven section 11-7: buildings and installations (B), transport installations and technical infrastructure (S), green structure (G), defence (F), agriculture, nature and outdoor recreation areas (LNF), and use and protection of the sea and watercourses. Each purpose is colour-coded under the kart- og planforskriften (the map and planning regulations). As a general rule, LNF areas may not be developed with housing or commercial buildings without a new zoning plan or a dispensation. LNF with scattered development (LNFR areas) is a hybrid that allows specified scattered development within clear limits.

On top of the land-use purposes, the plan adds consideration zones for hazard, protection, infrastructure and joint planning, and sequencing provisions that govern the order in which different measures must come. The provisions to the land-use part of the municipality plan can also set requirements for development agreements, parking provision and minimum requirements for universal design.

The municipality plan is normally revised every four years in step with the municipal council term through a planning strategy, but the plan period itself often stretches 10 to 12 years ahead. Many kommuner also use sub-plans (kommunedelplaner) for specific themes or geographic areas, such as a town centre plan, coastal zone plan, climate plan or green structure plan. These carry the same weight as the land-use part of the municipality plan within their scope. Zoning plans under the land-use part must follow its purposes and consideration zones, otherwise they have to be handled as plan amendments or dispensations. An objection from Statsforvalteren, Statens vegvesen, NVE, Riksantikvaren or other state or regional bodies can stop adoption of the land-use part until it is resolved in mediation.

State planning guidelines and state land-use plans take precedence over the municipality plan where they apply; examples are the shore zone (the 100-metre belt) and the Marka boundary. A regional plan is a coordination tool between several kommuner that the municipality plan has to align with.

In Placepoint, the land-use part of the municipality plan is shown as a map layer across the whole kommune, with land-use purposes, consideration zones and provisions available directly on the map. The colours for the land-use purposes are explained in the zoning plan legend.

How the dataset appears on the map

The dataset is part of the map layer Property as Municipal plans:

From Placepoint's dictionary: Municipality plan

More information: Lovdata: Plan- og bygningsloven chapter 11, Regjeringen: the land-use part of the municipality plan, Lovdata: Kart- og planforskriften, Store norske leksikon: kommuneplan

English: Municipal master plan (per Plan- og bygningsloven).

Frequently asked questions

What is a municipality plan?

The municipality plan is the municipality's overarching governing document, setting out the long-term development of the kommune. It has a social part and a land-use part, and it is central for anyone who wants to develop property in the kommune.

What is the land-use part of the municipality plan?

The land-use part of the municipality plan is a legally binding plan that shows which areas are set aside for housing, business, agriculture, outdoor recreation and other purposes. It is the starting point for all land-use management in the kommune.

How long does a municipality plan apply?

A municipality plan is normally revised every four years in step with the municipal council term, but the plan period often stretches 10 to 12 years ahead. The kommune can also revise the plan when needed.

What does it mean if an area is set aside as LNF in the municipality plan?

LNF stands for agriculture, nature and outdoor recreation purposes. As a general rule, areas set aside as LNF may not be developed with housing or commercial buildings without a new zoning plan or a dispensation.

How can Placepoint help me analyse municipal plans?

Placepoint gives you fast access to the land-use part of the municipality plan as a map layer, so you can see straight away what a property is zoned for and which limits apply, without searching through the municipality's own portals.