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 can simultaneously fulfill forest functions.

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

Clearing is defined as the permanent or temporary misappropriation of forest land. Clearing is generally prohibited, regardless of whether trees have to be felled for this purpose or not (Art. 6 WaG). At the request of a municipality, the government may issue a clearing permit if

• there are important reasons that outweigh the public interest in forest conservation
• the clearing does not endanger the environment
• the work for which the clearing is to be carried out is tied to a specific location
• the work objectively fulfills the requirements of national planning

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

Fires may only be lit in forests in suitable places (Art. 22 WaG). The Office for the Environment may issue local and temporary fire bans in the event of prolonged drought.