Why do activities need to be coordinated?
There are several reasons why the planning of land improvement system activities needs to be coordinated with the Land and Spatial Development board (MaRu).
- Land improvement systems are usually located on a large area of land, i.e. on several registered immovable properties, which in turn may have different owners. Water seeks a path from higher to lower ground and does not adhere to agreed boundaries. Activities on one registered immovable property therefore also affect the water regime on other registered immovable properties. In most cases, the impact of the activity is manifested in increased waterlogging, as a result of which the owner(s) of the other immovable property(ies) can no longer use their land for its intended purpose.
- Land is a limited resource. This is particularly true of land suitable for cultivation, of which there is not enough in Estonia to feed the entire population. As a result, almost all areas suitable for drainage have now been drained in Estonia. The construction of a drainage system is costly, and its existence is a value that must be preserved.
- Lack of awareness. Ditches, culverts, and drainage wells are visible to everyone, but even landowners are often unaware of the drains and collectors located underground, at an average depth of one meter. As a result, planners, landowners, and other (construction) project developers often fail to take them into account.
How to coordinate?
When planning activities on land covered by a land improvement system, such as planting trees or erecting buildings, it must be taken into account that any activity that may in any way affect the functioning of the land improvement system must be coordinated with the Land and Spatial Development board in advance.
- In most cases, the issuer of the activity permit (local government unit, Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority, Transport Authority, Environmental Board) will request coordination during the permit procedure. However, if the planned activity does not require any other permits, the landowner must contact Land and Spatial Development board themselves, and Land and Spatial Development board will issue the activity permit directly to the landowner.
- When coordinating and issuing an activity permit, Land and Spatial Development board sets conditions that must be taken into account when carrying out the planned activity.
- Sometimes it may happen that the planned activity cannot be carried out at that location. In general, it is possible to find other solutions. One solution is usually to rebuild the land improvement system before carrying out the planned activity in such a way that the rest of the land improvement system continues to function properly.
It may be necessary to reconstruct the land improvement system prior to the construction of other structures
If the planned activity, such as the construction of a building in accordance with the Building Code, requires the (re)construction of a land improvement system, the Land and Spatial Development Board will issue design conditions, a building permit, and a use permit for the construction and reconstruction of the land improvement system.
How to find out if coordination is necessary?
Check the land improvement system map application to see if:
- the planned activity remains within the land improvement system area;
- the planned activity remains within the protective zone of the land improvement system's headwater;
- the activity is intended to direct water into the land improvement system or its headwater.
If so, during the permit procedure, the permit issuer will coordinate the activity with Land and Spatial Development board and the agency will set conditions that must be taken into account when carrying out the activity.
In situations where no other authority will grant a permit for the planned activity (e.g., establishing a plantation, digging a ditch, building a private road, etc.), apply for a permit from Land and Spatial Development board.
Last updated: 31.10.2025
