The Saeima ¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:

Protection Zone Law

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in the Law

The following terms are used in the Law:

1) protection zones - certain areas the task of which shall be to protect different types of objects (natural, and also artificial) from undesirable external effects, to ensure the exploitation and safety thereof, or to protect the environment and people from the harmful effect of an object;

2) [21 February 2002];

3) technical aids to navigation - structures, equipment, and constructions (lighthouses, spar buoys, etc.) with or without light equipment which have been built (installed) on land or placed in water for providing safety of navigation and aircraft flights in the waters and airspace under the jurisdiction of the State of Latvia;

4) [21 February 2002];

5) beach - part of the land of the seashore between the water level and the place where the natural vegetation of the land begins;

6) [21 February 2002];

7) [21 February 2002];

8) [21 February 2002];

9) [21 February 2002];

10) dam - a hydrotechnic structure complex which ensures an elevation of the water level in the water body or watercourse with the maximum difference in the levels of two metres and more;

11) flood zone - a part of the valley of a watercourse or the basin of a water body which is completely or partly flooded during high water or flood and the width of which is specified, for the purposes of protection of the watercourse or water body, in the local government spatial plan in accordance with the methodology determined in Section 7, Paragraph six of this Law;

12) isobath - a line joining points where water bodies or watercourses have the same depth;

13) building line - a line which delimits the territory necessary for the building of a street or access road (also corridors of engineering communications) in which the right to use immovable property is restricted in accordance with laws and regulations from the territory to be built up or used in any other way and which in cities and villages is determined by the local government in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations;

14) axis of the cable line - a conditional line which goes through the central point of each cable diameter. Each cable shall have its own axis of cable line which shall determine the placement of the protection zone of this cable;

14¹) axis of the overhead line - a conditional line which goes through the central points of support constructions of the overhead line;

15) marshes - ecosystems on peat soil in which the height of trees may not reach more than five metres in the particular place;

16) barrage - hydrotechnic structure to be installed in order to regulate the stream of water in the riverbed or to protect the territory against flooding;

17) previous constructions - lawfully built structures or buildings (or their foundations) which may be established on site;

18) auxiliary building - a building (bathhouse, barn, garage, shed, greenhouse, building for the storage of garden inventory, materials, and household items, etc.) which is not classified as a residential building in which there are no residential premises (for permanent residence or staying of seasonal nature) and which functionally belongs to the residential building;

18¹) fixed radio monitoring point - fixed complex for the monitoring of radio-frequency spectrum which consists of receiving radio equipment, antenna system and the masts thereof and is intended for the field of supervision of radio-frequency spectrum;

19) power line route - a zone existing in the nature which is intended for ensuring the operation of power lines and which is included in the protection zone and is to be kept free from trees and bushes;

20) military technical means for maritime surveillance - structures, installations, and constructions built (installed) on land in the possession or holding of the Ministry of Defence for ensuring control, protection, and inviolability of waters under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia;

21) filling station - an object where fuel - oil products (petrol and diesel fuel) - is transferred from fixed storage reservoirs to motor vehicle fuel tanks;

22) motor vehicle gas filling station - an object where fuel - liquefied hydrocarbon gas - is transferred from fixed pressure vessels to transportation fuel pressure vessels.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 6 March 2008; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011; 14 March 2013; 18 April 2013; 28 November 2013; 19 May 2016]

Section 2. Subject of the Law

The subject of this Law shall be different types of protection zones, protected areas, and protection strips, which are specified in laws and other regulatory enactments.

[21 February 2002]

Section 3. Purpose of the Law

The purpose of this Law shall be to determine:

1) the types of protection zones and the functions thereof;

2) the basic principles for the establishment, amending, and liquidation of protection zones;

3) the procedures for the maintenance and control of the condition of protection zones;

4) restrictions of economic activity in protection zones.

[14 May 2009]

Section 4. Types of Protection Zones

There shall be the following types of protection zones:

1) environmental and natural resources protection zones;

2) exploitation protection zones;

3) sanitary protection zones;

4) safety protection zones;

5) other protection zones if such are provided by the Law.

Chapter II
Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Zones

Section 5. Tasks and Types of Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Zones

(1) Environmental and natural resources protection zones are determined around objects and territories which are significant from the point of view of environmental protection and conservation and the rational utilisation of natural resources. The main task thereof shall be to mitigate or eliminate the effects of the anthropogenic negative impact on the objects for which the protection zones have been determined.

(2) The types of environmental and natural resources protection zones shall be the following:

1) the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga coastal protection zone;

2) the surface water body protection zones;

3) protection zones (protection areas) around cultural monuments;

4) protection zones around water abstraction points;

5) [21 February 2002];

6) forest protection zones around cities;

7) protection zones around marshes.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 23 November 2023]

Section 6. Baltic Sea and Gulf of Rīga Coastal Protection Zone

(1) The Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga coastal protection zone has been created to mitigate the effects of pollution on the Baltic Sea, to preserve the protective functions of the forest, to eliminate the development of erosion processes, to protect the coastal landscapes, to ensure the preservation and protection of coastal natural resources, including resources necessary for leisure and tourism and other territories of importance to the society, and the balanced and continuous use thereof.

(2) The Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga coastal protection zone shall be divided into the following zones:

1) the coastal dune protection zone the width of which depends on the width of dune zone, but not less than 300 metres in the direction of land, counting from the place where the natural land vegetation begins, except for the following cases:

a) if the local government spatial plan has been approved in cities, the coastal dune protection zone therein shall be not less than 150 metres, including as mandatory the specially protected biotopes therein in a zone that is 300 metres in width;

b) if the borders of villages have been approved in accordance with the procedures provided for in Section 67 of this Law and have been determined in the local government spatial plan, the width of the coastal dune protection zone in such villages is not less than 150 metres, including as mandatory the specially protected biotopes therein in a zone that is 300 metres in width and also taking into account the historical structure of the distribution of population on a mandatory basis;

2) the sea protection zone which includes the beach and the part of sub-continental shelf from the beginning of the continuous natural land vegetation up to the 10 metre isobath;

3) a restricted economic activity zone up to a width of 5 kilometres which is determined, taking into account natural circumstances.

(3) At places where the main coast of the sea is high-pitched the width of the protection zone shall be determined from the upper edge of the main coast.

(4) A draft methodology for the determination of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga coastal protection zone and also the inclusion, change, or exclusion of specially protected biotopes shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 14 May 2009; 16 December 2010; 22 December 2021; 23 November 2023]

Section 7. Surface Water Body Protection Zones

(1) Surface water body protection zones shall be determined for water bodies, water courses, and artificial water bodies in order to mitigate the negative impact of pollution on water ecosystems, to prevent the development of erosion processes, to restrict economic activity in the flood zones, and also to preserve the characteristic landscape of the area. The surface water body protection zones in port territories shall be determined in order to balance the environmental protection requirements and the economic development of ports, and also to mitigate the negative impact of pollution on water ecosystems and to prevent the development of erosion processes in the interests of sustainable development.

(2) The following minimum widths of surface water body protection zones are specified:

1) in rural areas (regardless of the category of land and property):

a) for the Daugava River - not less than a 500 metre wide zone for each riverbank;

b) for the Gauja River - from the headwaters to Lejasciems not less than a 300 metre wide zone for each riverbank;

c) for the Gauja River - from Lejasciems to the outfall not less than a 500 metre wide zone for each riverbank;

d) for the Lielupe River - not less than a 300 metre wide zone for each riverbank;

e) for the Venta River - not less than a 300 metre wide zone for each riverbank;

f) for other watercourses longer than 100 kilometres - not less than a 300 metre wide zone for each bank;

g) watercourses that are 25-100 kilometres long - not less than a 100 metre wide zone for each bank;

h) watercourses that are 10-25 kilometres long - not less than a 50 metre wide zone on each coast;

i) water courses up to 10 kilometres long - not less than a 10 metre wide zone for each bank;

j) for water bodies the area of which is more than 1000 hectares - not less than a 500 metre wide zone;

k) for 100-1000 hectares large water bodies - not less than a 300 metre wide zone;

l) for 25-1000 hectares large water bodies - not less than a 100 metre wide zone;

m) for 10-25 hectares large water bodies - not less than a 50 metre wide zone;

n) up to 10 hectares large water bodies - not less than a 10 metre wide zone;

o) for a water body or water course with the flood zone - not less than the width of the whole flood zone up to the water level regardless of the minimum width of the protection zone specified in the previous Sub-clauses;

2) in cities and villages - in spatial plans:

a) not less than a 10 metre wide zone along the coastline of a surface water body, except for the cases when it is not possible due to existing constructions;

b) along water bodies with the flood zone - in the entire width or not less than up to the existing delimiting structure (road bank, protective dike) if the territory behind it does not flood;

3) for an artificial water body (except for such which serves for drainage of water from the adjacent territory) the area of which is more than 0.1 hectare - in the spatial plan, however, not less than 10 metre wide zone on each bank;

4) on islands and peninsulas - in the spatial plan, but not less than a 20 metre wide zone.

(3) The width of the protection zone shall be determined, taking into account the average water level, but if there is clearly a clearly expressed steep main coast - from the upper edge of the cliff.

(4) If the coast consists of a continuous barrage, the protection zone is determined to the foot of external slope if it is not otherwise provided for in other laws and regulations.

(5) All protection zone provisions shall also apply to the territory between the water level and place from which the width of the protection zone is measured.

(6) A draft methodology for the determination of the surface water body protection zones shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 6 March 2008; 14 May 2009; 16 December 2010]

Section 7.¹ Protection Zones Around Marshes

(1) Protection zones around marshes are determined in order to preserve biological diversity and to stabilise the regime of humidity in the zone of contiguity (transition) of the forest and marsh.

(2) The following protection zone minimum widths around marshes are specified:

1) for areas that are 10 to 100 hectares - a zone of 20 metres;

2) for areas larger than 100 hectares - a zone of 50 metres in the types of forest growing conditions on dry, drained, humid mineral soils and drained peat soils and at least a zone of 100 metres in the types of forest growing conditions on the humid peat soils.

[21 February 2002]

Section 8. Protection Zones (Protection Strips) around Cultural Monuments

(1) Protection zones (protection strips) around cultural monuments are determined in order to ensure the protection and preservation of cultural monuments, and also to mitigate different kinds of negative effects on immovable cultural monuments.

(2) The draft methodology by which the protection zones (protection strips) around cultural monuments shall be determined shall be drawn up by the State Inspection for Heritage Protection in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the protection of cultural monuments. If the protection zone (protection strip) around a cultural monument is not especially specified, the minimum width thereof shall be the following:

1) in rural areas - 500 metres;

2) in cities - 100 metres.

Section 9. Protection Zones around Water Abstraction Points

(1) Protection zones around water abstraction points shall be determined in order to ensure the preservation and renewal of water resources, and also to mitigate the negative effects of pollution on the quality of water resources to be obtained during the whole exploitation of source of water (for not less than 25 years).

(2) A strict regime as well as bacteriological and chemical protection zone shall be determined around the water abstraction points. Protection zones shall not be determined for drillings, wells, and springs which are used in farms or for acquisition of drinking water by individual users of water (natural persons) for their own needs, if an improvement has been performed and the infiltration of wastewater and water pollution have been eliminated.

(3) Protection zones around centralised water abstraction points shall be calculated, taking into account the natural circumstances of the water abstraction points and predicted water consumption.

(4) If a ground water (unprotected) horizon or the method of artificial supplementation of stocks of underground water is used for a centralised water-supply, a strict regime protection zone shall be calculated to ensure that the period of time for water filtration from the protection zone border to the drillings of water extraction is not less than a year.

(5) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zone around water abstraction points shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Health after coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 16 December 2010]

Section 10. Protection Zones around Health Resorts

[21 February 2002]

Section 11. Forest Protection Zones Around Cities

(1) Forest protection zones around cities are determined to ensure the necessary conditions for recreational activities and health improvement for the inhabitants of a city, and also to mitigate or compensate the negative effects of cities on the environment.

(2) A draft methodology for the determination of protection zones around cities shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture.

[21 February 2002]

Chapter III
Exploitation Protection Zones

Section 12. Tasks and Types of Exploitation Protection Zones

(1) Exploitation protection zones are determined along transport lines, electronic communications networks, and other communication lines, and also around objects which ensure the operation of different State services. The main task of exploitation protection zones shall be to ensure the effective and safe exploitation and development possibilities of the abovementioned communications and objects.

(2) The types of exploitation protection zones shall be the following:

1) protection zones along streets, motor roads, and railways;

2) protection zones along electronic communications networks and fixed radio monitoring points;

3) protection zones around State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and stream-gauging stations and around other fixed monitoring points and posts of national significance;

4) protection zones along electrical power networks;

5) protection zones along heating networks;

6) protection zones around land amelioration structures and installations;

7) protection zones along water supply and sewage networks;

8) protection zones around geodetic network markers;

9) protection zones around technical aids to navigation and military technical means for maritime surveillance;

10) protection zones around gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses, and storage sites;

11) [21 February 2002];

12) protection zones around underground water monitoring stations of national significance and deep drillings;

13) protection zones around seismological monitoring posts;

14) protection zones around dam safety determination control and measuring instrumentation;

15) protection zones around national defence objects;

16) protection zones around optical telescopes and radio telescopes.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 14 March 2013; 28 November 2013]

Section 13. Protection Zones along Streets, Motor Roads, and Railways

(1) Protection zones along streets, motor roads, and railways are determined in order to mitigate the negative impact of streets, motor roads, and railways on the environment, to ensure the exploitation and safety of arterial roads, and also to form a zone free of constructions which is necessary for rebuilding of streets and motor roads.

(2) Protection zones along the streets and motor roads shall be determined in the following way:

1) in cities and villages as a building line (existing or designed street border);

2) the width of protection zones in rural areas along motor roads from the road axis to each side shall be as follows:

a) for major State motor roads - 100 metres;

b) for regional State motor roads - 60 metres;

c) for local State and local government motor roads - 30 metres.

(3) The minimum width of the railway operations protective zone shall be equal to the width of the railway right of way. In cities and villages the maximum width of the exploitation protection zone along the tracks within the railway infrastructure of strategical (national) significance and regional significance, except for station tracks adjacent to them or related to them, tracks of special importance, sidings and buffer stops, shall be 50 metres on each side from the side rail, along other tracks - 25 metres, but in rural area the maximum width of the exploitation protection zone along tracks within the railway infrastructure of strategical (national) significance and regional significance, except for station tracks adjacent to them or related to them, tracks of special importance, sidings and buffer stops, shall be 100 metres on each side from the side rail, along other tracks - 50 metres. The width of the exploitation protection zone within these borders shall be determined in spatial plans in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law.

(4) A draft methodology for the determination of exploitation protection zones along motor roads and railways shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Transport.

[21 February 2002; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011; 19 May 2016]

Section 14. Protection Zones along Electronic Communications Networks and Fixed Radio Monitoring Points

(1) Protection zones along electronic communications networks of all types and ownership and the infrastructure structures thereof are determined in order to ensure maximum protection of electronic communications networks and the infrastructure structures thereof from undesirable effects of a human being, nature, or other factors as a result of which safe exploitation of electronic communications networks may be hindered, and losses to the national economy and the State may be caused.

(2) The minimum width of the protection zones along electronic communications networks shall be as follows:

1) along underground electronic communications network lines and cable ducts - a land parcel and airspace which is delimited by notional vertical surfaces on each side of the electronic communications network line at the distance of 1 metre from the line axis of the electronic communications network or from the outer edge of the cable duct pipe;

1¹) along underground electronic communications network lines or cable ducts if they are located in the total land requirement and closer than 1 metre from the edge of the total land requirement - the protection zone on this side of the electronic communications network line or cable ducts shall be determined up to the border of the total land requirement;

1²) along underground electronic communications network lines or cable ducts if they are located within the building lines of a road, street, or access road (also engineering communications corridor) and closer than 1 metre from the building line - the protection zone on this side of the electronic communications network line or cable ducts shall be determined up to the building line of the road, street, or access road (also engineering communications corridor);

1³) along underground electronic communications network lines or cable ducts if they are located closer than 1 metre from the building or structure - the protection zone on this side of the electronic communications network line or cable ducts shall be determined up to the foundation of the building or structure;

1⁴) along underground electronic communications network lines or cable ducts if they are located within the building line of a road, street, or access road (also engineering communications corridor) and less than 1 metre from the building line and foundation of the building or structure - the protection zone on this side of the electronic communications network line or cable ducts shall be determined up to the building line or foundation of the building or structure (depending on whichever is located closer);

2) along maritime cable lines of electronic communications networks and cable lines of electronic communications networks which cross navigable or floatable rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and channels - the water area which is framed in the entire depth from the surface to the bed by parallel planes which are located at the distance of 0.25 miles from the maritime cable line of electronic communications network (on each side) and at the distance of 100 metres from the cable (on each side) in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and channels;

3) around non-serviceable repeater and regeneration points of external surface and underground electronic communications network lines, external cable distribution cabinets and boxes with buried base or cabinets and boxes which are installed on a separate base, manholes, and optical cable couplings in the ground - a land parcel and airspace which is delimited by notional vertical surfaces at the distance of 1 metre from the repeater point, outer edge of the cable distribution cabinet or box, manhole, and optical cable coupling;

3¹) around outdoor cabinets and containers of electronic communications equipment - a land parcel and airspace which is delimited by notional vertical surfaces at the distance of 1 metre from the enclosure (delimitation) of the cabinet or container of electronic communications equipment or projection of the most protruding thereof parts on the ground or other surface;

3²) along overhead lines of electronic communications networks - a land parcel and airspace which is delimited by notional vertical surfaces on each side of the electronic communications network line at the distance of 2.5 metres from the line axis of the electronic communications network;

4) [14 May 2009];

5) [14 May 2009];

6) [14 May 2009].

(2¹) Protection zones around towers of radio communications lines of electronic communications networks, antenna masts and guy-wires thereof shall be established:

1) around towers and antenna masts of radio communications lines of electrical communications networks - a land parcel and airspace in the height of the tower or mast delimited by notional vertical surface at the distance of 1 metre outside of their enclosure or at the distance of 5 metres from the projection of the most protruding parts thereof on the ground or other surface if the tower or mast is not enclosed;

2) around guy-wires of towers and antenna masts of radio communications lines of electronic communications networks - a land parcel and airspace in the height of the tower or mast delimited by notional vertical surface at the distance of 2.5 metres from the projection of the guy-wire on the ground surface and fastening point of the guy-wire in the ground or other surface.

(2²) Protection zones around fixed radio monitoring points shall be determined in order to ensure undisturbed operation of fixed radio monitoring points in airspace and to prevent unauthorised construction or installation of such possible disturbing objects which may influence precision and continuity of observation or measurement results.

(2³) A protection zone around a fixed radio monitoring point shall consist of airspace in the radius of 150 metres, measuring from the base axis of the antenna system of the fixed radio monitoring point and in the height of not less than 20 metres from the base of the structure on which the antenna system is installed.

(3) [14 March 2013]

[19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 14 March 2013 / See Paragraph 22 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 15. Protection Zones around State Meteorological and Hydrological Observation Stations and Stream-gauging Stations and around Other Fixed Monitoring Points and Posts of National Significance

(1) Protection zones around State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and stream-gauging stations and around other fixed monitoring points and stations of national significance shall be determined in order to ensure the precision and continuity of observations.

(2) The width of the protection zone around the State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and posts and around other fixed monitoring points (except for forest monitoring points) and posts of national significance shall be determined by valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas centrs" [State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre], and it may not exceed:

1) around observation areas of meteorological observation stations and posts - 200 metres from the outer border of the observation area;

2) around meteorological observation posts, also around fixed monitoring points and posts of national significance - in a radius of 20 metres from the centre thereof;

3) around meteorological radiolocation equipment - in a radius of 300 metres from the centre of the antenna mast;

4) around land-based stream-gauging (hydrological) observation stations - 5 metres from the outer border of the equipment on land, but in a water body - 10 metres to both sides from the notional line drawn down from the centre of the equipment perpendicular to the coast of the water body by a special mark or not more than 50 metres from the coast line;

5) around sea coastal stream-gauging (hydrological) observation stations - in a radius of 150 metres from the centre of the equipment.

(3) The width of the protection zone around State monitoring posts and deep drillings of underground waters shall be determined by the State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, and it shall not exceed 10 metres from the outer border of the post.

(4) The width of the protection zone around seismological monitoring posts shall be determined by the State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, and it shall not exceed 10 metres from the outer edge of the construction of the post.

(5) The width of the protection zone around stream-gauging stations shall be determined by valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Zemkopības ministrijas nekustamie īpašumi" [State limited liability company Immovable Properties of the Ministry of Agriculture], and it shall not exceed 5 metres from the outer edge of the structure or stream-gauging station.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 16 December 2010; 14 March 2013]

Section 16. Protection Zones along Electrical Power Networks

(1) Protection zones along electrical power networks of all kinds and any ownership, and the equipment and structures thereof are determined in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of electric power networks, the equipment and structures thereof.

(2) Protection zones along electrical power networks shall be established:

1) along overhead lines of electrical power networks in cities and villages, except for the territories referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 2.¹ of this Section - a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces on both sides of the line:

a) for overhead lines with the nominal voltage up to 20 kilovolts - at the distance of 2.5 metres from the line axis;

b) for overhead lines with the nominal voltage up to 110 kilovolts - at the distance of 7 metres from outer wire outward the line;

c) for overhead lines with the nominal voltage of 330 kilovolts - at the distance of 12 metres from outer wire outward the line;

2) along overhead lines of electrical power networks outside cities and villages, except for the territories referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 2.¹ of this Section - a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces on both sides of the line:

a) for overhead lines with the nominal voltage up to 20 kilovolts - at the distance of 6.5 metres from the line axis;

b) for overhead lines with the nominal voltage up to 110 kilovolts - at the distance of 30 metres from outer wire outward the line;

c) for overhead lines with the nominal voltage of 330 kilovolts - at the distance of 30 metres from outer wire outward the line;

2¹) along overhead lines of electrical power networks if they are crossing forest territory - a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces on both sides of the line:

a) along overhead lines of electrical power networks with the nominal voltage up to 1 kilovolt - at the distance of 6.5 metres from the line axis in which the power line route is formed in the width of 2.5 metres from the line axis on each side;

b) along overhead lines of electrical power networks with the nominal voltage 10-20 kilovolts - at the distance of 30 metres from the line axis in which the power line route is formed in the width of 6.5 metres from the line axis on each side;

c) along overhead lines of electrical power networks with the nominal voltage 110 kilovolts - at the distance of 35 metres from the line axis in which the power line route is formed in the width of 13 metres from the line axis on each side;

d) along overhead lines of electrical power networks with the nominal voltage 330 kilovolts - at the distance of 40 metres from the line axis in which the power line route is formed in the width of 27 metres from the line axis on each side;

e) along cable lines of electrical power networks - the power line route in the width of 1.5 metres from the line axis on each side;

3) along cable lines of electrical power networks - a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces on each side of the cable line at the distance of 1 metre from the cable line axis, but if the cable line crosses a forest territory - at the distance of 1.5 metres from the cable line axis on each side. If a cable is located closer than 1 metre from a building or structure, a protection zone on this side of the cable shall be determined only up to the foundation of the building or structure;

4) along cable lines of electrical power networks which cross surface water bodies under the water level - a water area which is framed by the parallel planes in the entire depth from the surface to the bed at the distance of 100 metres on each side from the cable line axis;

5) around distribution equipment, feeder stations, and transformer substations of electrical power networks - a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surface at the distance of 1 metre outside the enclosure of these devices or projection of the most protruding parts thereof on the ground or on other surface.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones along the electrical power networks shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics.

[21 February 2002; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 18 April 2013]

Section 17. Protection Zones of Heating Networks

(1) Exploitation protection zones along heating networks, the equipment and structures thereof are determined in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of heating networks, the equipment and structures thereof.

(2) Protection zones of heating networks shall be established:

1) along underground heating pipelines, heat supply equipment and structures - a land parcel where heating pipelines, equipment, and structures are installed, and also a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces at the distance of 2 metres on each side from the outer edge of the pipeline casing, channel, tunnel, or other structure;

2) around aboveground heating pipelines, heat distribution equipment, and heating substations - a land parcel where heating pipelines, equipment, and structures are installed, and also a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces at the distance of 1 metre on each side from the outer edge of heating pipelines, equipment, and structures or projections of the most protruding parts thereof on the ground or another surface.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the exploitation protection zones along heating networks shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics.

[22 June 2005]

Section 18. Protection Zones around Land Amelioration Structures and Equipment

(1) Protection zones around land amelioration structures and equipment are determined in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of the amelioration structures and equipment.

(2) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones around land amelioration structures and equipment, lands to be used for agriculture and forestlands shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture.

[21 February 2002]

Section 19. Protection Zones along Water Supply and Sewage Networks

(1) Protection zones along water supply and sewage networks are determined in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of water supply and sewage networks.

(2) The width of protection zones along water supply and sewage networks shall be as follows:

1) along the water supply and sewage pressure pipes if they are located up to the depth of 2 metres - 3 metres on each side from the outer edge of the pipeline;

2) along the water supply and sewage pressure pipes if they are located in the depth of more than 2 metres - 5 metres on each side from the outer edge of the pipeline;

3) along gravity flow sewage pipelines - 3 metres on each side from the outer edge of the pipeline.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the exploitation protection zones along water supply and sewage networks shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics.

[22 June 2005]

Section 20. Protection Zones around Geodetic Network Markers

(1) Protection zones around geodetic network markers are determined around markers of the national geodetic network and the local geodetic network for which permanent geodetic marker centre is established in the area in order to ensure access to geodetic network markers and performance of geodetic works there, continuous preservation, stability, and construction permanence of the geodetic network markers.

(2) A protection zone around geodetic network markers shall be determined as follows:

1) in the radius of 50 metres from the centre of the geodetic marker:

a) for class 0 markers of the global positioning network;

b) for class 1 markers of the geomagnetic network;

c) for class 1 markers of the gravimetrical network;

2) in the radius of 5 metres - for other geodetic network markers.

[14 May 2009; 23 May 2013]

Section 21. Protection Zones around Technical Aids to Navigation and Military Technical Means of Maritime Surveillance

(1) Protection zones around technical aids to navigation are determined in order to ensure uninterrupted and effective operation of the technical aids to navigation in the waters and airspace under jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia.

(1¹) Protection zones around military technical means of maritime surveillance are determined in order to ensure continuous, efficient, and safe operation of military technical means of maritime surveillance in the waters under jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia.

(2) The Ministry of Transport shall draw up draft methodologies according to which the following is determined:

1) protection zones around technical aids to navigation for ensuring the safety of navigation;

2) protection zones around technical aids to navigation for ensuring civil aviation aircraft flight safety.

(3) The maximum width of protection zones from the centre of the object:

1) around technical aids to navigation intended for the needs of national defence on the land shall be 15 kilometres;

2) around military technical means of maritime surveillance on the land shall be 8 kilometres.

(4) A list of those technical aids to navigation and military technical means of maritime surveillance intended for the needs of national defence around which protection zones are established and the width of the protection zone around each such object shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[13 October 2011; 28 November 2013]

Section 22. Protection Zones around Gas Pipelines, Gas Supply Installations and Structures, Gas Warehouses and Storage Sites

(1) Exploitation protection zones around gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites are determined in order to ensure the exploitation of gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites.

(2) Exploitation protection zones along gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites shall be established:

1) along gas pipelines - a land parcel and airspace which is delimited by notional vertical surfaces on both sides from the axis of the gas pipeline for a gas pipeline with pressure of:

a) up to 0.4 megapascals - at the distance of 1 metre;

b) more than 0.4 megapascals up to 1.6 megapascals - at the distance of 5 metres;

c) more than 1.6 megapascals - at the distance of 15 metres;

1¹) along gas pipelines with pressure of more than 0.4 megapascals up to 0.6 megapascals which are located in the total land requirement closer to the road for more than 5 metres from the edge of the total land requirement - up to the border of the total land requirement, however, not less than 1 metre;

2) along gas pipelines which cross navigable or floatable surface water bodies under the water level - a water area which is framed by the parallel planes in the entire depth from the surface to the bed at the distance of 100 metres on each side from the axis of the gas pipeline;

3) around gas supply installations and structures - a land parcel and airspace which is delimited by notional vertical surfaces outside the external walls of the structures, enclosure, or delimitation constructions of these objects:

a) around condensate storage containers - at the distance of 25 metres from the container;

b) around gas regulation stations - at the distance of 6 metres from the enclosure;

c) around natural gas compressor stations and natural gas collection points - at the distance of 10 metres from the enclosure;

d) around cabinet type gas regulation points and household regulators with a gas input pressure up to 0.4 megapascals - at the distance of 1 metre;

e) around gas regulation points, cabinet type gas regulation points, and household regulators with a gas input pressure more than 0.4 megapascals up to 0.6 megapascals placed in separate structures - at the distance of 5 metres;

f) around gas regulation points, cabinet type gas regulation points, and household regulators with a gas input pressure more than 0.6 megapascals placed in separate structures - at the distance of 10 metres;

g) [14 May 2009];

h) around motor vehicle natural gas filling compressor stations (MVNGFCS) - at the distance of 10 metres from the enclosure;

i) around anode earthing of electrochemical anticorrosion protection equipment - at the distance of 4 metres from the earthing grid;

4) around gas warehouses and storage sites - a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces outside the external walls of the structures, enclosure, or delimitation constructions of these objects:

a) around gas storage wells - at the distance of 50 metres from the well;

b) around warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas, storage sites and filling stations related thereto which are intended for loading of liquefied hydrocarbon gas into gas carriage vehicles (tank vehicles and rail tank-wagons) and unloading from these vehicles - at the distance of 100 metres;

c) around equipment of the groups of gas cylinders - at the distance of 10 metres;

d) [19 May 2016];

e) [19 May 2016];

f) around equipment using underground liquefied hydrocarbon gas cistern (reservoir) groups, except for motor vehicle gas filling station tanks - at the distance of 10 metres.

(3) A draft methodology by which exploitation protection zones around gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites are determined shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after coordination with the State Fire and Rescue Service.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 19 May 2016]

Section 23. Protection Zones around Dam Safety Specification Control Measuring Instrumentation

(1) Protection zones around dam safety specification control measuring instrumentation (drillings for the specification of ground water levels, drillings and reference points for ground and structure horizontal displacements measurements, and reference points for the measurement of vertical deformations, etc.) shall be determined in order to ensure the long-term preservation, protection, and possibility of uninterrupted evaluation of such metering instrumentation.

(2) Protection zones around dam safety specification control measuring instrumentation shall be determined not less than in a radius of two metres around them.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zone around dam safety specification control measuring instrumentation shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 16 December 2010]

Section 23.¹ Protection Zones around National Defence Objects

(1) Protection zones around national defence objects are determined in order:

1) to ensure the safety and exploitation of national defence objects, and also to mitigate the negative impact of shock waves and noises caused as a result of firing and detonation on humans, domestic animals, and structures which are located in the vicinity of national defence objects, and in order to guarantee safety for humans and their property in emergency situations;

2) to ensure that the performance of State functions and tasks at national defence objects is not endangered.

(2) The minimum width of the protection zones around national defence objects shall be 25 metres, counting from the external borders of the national defence object, the maximum width - 600 metres.

(3) A list of those national defence objects around which the protection zones are established and the width of the protection zone around each national defence object shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(4) A prohibition to alienate, without the consent of the Ministry of Defence, the immovable property located in the protection zone around a national defence object shall be recorded in the Land Register without the owner's consent on the basis of the corroboration request of the Ministry of Defence.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 22 December 2021]

Section 23.² Protection Zones around Optical Telescopes and Radio Telescopes

(1) Protection zones around optical telescopes and radio telescopes shall be determined in order to ensure the safety and exploitation of equipment. Protection zones are determined around the optical telescope in Baldone and around the radio telescopes in Irbene.

(2) The width of protection zones shall be as follows:

1) around optical telescope in Baldone the outdoor artificial lighting restriction area in the radius of 1 kilometre from the centre of the optical telescope pavilion shall be determined;

2) around radio telescopes in Irbene the radio quiet zone in the radius of 8 kilometres from the centre of the radio telescope RT32 shall be determined.

[14 May 2009]

Chapter IV
Sanitary Protection Zones

Section 24. Tasks and Types of Sanitary Protection Zones

(1) Sanitary protection zones are determined around objects for which heightened sanitary requirements are laid down. The main task thereof is to ensure sanitary requirements.

(2) Sanitary protection zones shall be as follows:

1) protection zones around graveyards;

2) protection zones around animal graveyards;

3) [21 February 2002];

4) protection zones around landfill sites, waste dumps, around high-capacity incineration establishments of animal by-products not intended for human consumption or processing establishments thereof and wastewater treatment plants.

[21 February 2002; 22 June 2005]

Section 25. Protection Zones around Graveyards

(1) Protection zones around graveyards are determined in order to prevent the deterioration of sanitary conditions in the territories adjacent thereto.

(2) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones around graveyards shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Health.

[19 June 2003]

Section 26. Protection Zones around Animal Graveyards

(1) Protection zones around animal graveyards are determined in order to prevent the deterioration of sanitary conditions in the territories adjacent thereto.

(2) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones around animal graveyards shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture.

[21 February 2002]

Section 27. Protection Zones around Objects of Veterinary Supervision

[21 February 2002]

Section 28. Protection Zones around Landfill Sites, Waste Dumps, around High-Capacity Incineration Establishments of Animal By-products not Intended for Human Consumption or Processing Establishments Thereof and Wastewater Treatment Plants

(1) Protection zones around landfill sites, waste dumps, around high-capacity incineration establishments of animal by-products not intended for human consumption or processing establishments thereof and wastewater treatment plants shall be determined in order to ensure the protection of the territories adjacent thereto from the negative impact of such objects.

(2) The width of the protection zone around landfill sites and waste dumps shall be 100 metres.

(2¹) The width of the protection zone around:

1) the high-capacity incineration establishments of animal by-products not intended for human consumption the incineration capacity of which is starting from 50 kilograms per hour - 100 metres;

2) the processing establishments of animal by-products not intended for human consumption which process category 1 and 2 by-products - 50 metres.

(3) The width of the protection zone around wastewater treatment plants shall be determined depending on the technology used and the technical characteristics of the plant:

1) for treatment plants with closed processing in the entire cycle (without open surfaces for storage or processing of wastewater or sludge) the capacity of which is more than 5 cubic metres of wastewater per day-and-night - 50 metres;

2) for open processing holds of wastewater and closed processing of sludge or closed storage thereof - 100 metres;

3) for open processing of wastewater and open fields of sludge - 200 metres;

4) for open fields for filtration - 50 metres;

5) for closed type fields for filtration in which water is being treated from the closed type biological treatment plants - 2 metres.

(4) Protection zones shall be determined from the outer border or outer edge of the object.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009]

Chapter V
Safety Protection Zones

Section 29. Tasks and Types of Safety Protection Zones

(1) Safety protection zones shall be determined around extraction points of hydrocarbons, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments, filling stations, around dams, along gas pipelines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals, gas regulations stations, gas regulations points, natural gas compressor stations, natural gas collection points, gas storage wells, liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storage sites, and filling stations, warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders and sales points thereof, motor vehicle gas filling stations, along railways on which oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products are carried, and also along aboveground heating pipelines with the diameter of 400 millimetres and above. The main task of safety protection zones is to ensure environmental and human safety during exploitation of these objects and in case of possible accidents thereof, and also safety of the objects themselves and their nearby objects.

(2) The types of safety protection zones shall be as follows:

1) protection zones around hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments, filling stations;

2) protection zones around dams;

3) [6 October 2022];

4) protection zones around gas pipelines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals, around gas regulation stations, gas regulation points, gas metering stations, natural gas compressor stations, natural gas collection points, gas storage wells, liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storage sites, and filling stations, warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders and sales points thereof, motor vehicle gas filling stations;

5) protection zones along railways on which oil, oil products, and hazardous chemical substances and products are carried;

6) protection zones along aboveground heating pipelines with the diameter of 400 millimetres and above.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011; 6 October 2022]

Section 30. Protection Zones around Hydrocarbon Extraction Points, Pipelines for Oil, Oil Products, Hazardous Chemical Substances and Products, Tanks, Storage Sites, Processing and Reloading Establishments, Filling Stations

(1) Protection zones around hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments, filling stations shall be determined in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of the hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments, filling stations, and also to mitigate the possible negative impact on the environment and humans during exploitation of these objects and in case of possible accidents thereof.

(2) The minimum width of the protection zones around hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, processing and reloading establishments, filling stations shall be as follows:

1) along pipelines - 25 metres from the axis of the pipeline;

2) around tanks:

a) the capacity of which is more than 200 m³ and which are intended for the inflow of oil and oil products in case of an accident - 50 metres from these tanks or the delimiting constructions thereof;

b) the capacity of which is more than 10 m³ and which are intended for the inflow of hazardous chemical substances and products in case of an accident - 50 metres from these tanks or the delimiting constructions thereof;

3) around pumping and filling stations, tank parks, filling and discharge trestles, quaysides, and piers, heating points, warehouses, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments of oil and oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products - 100 metres from the buildings and structures of these objects where oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances or products are located;

4) around points of hydrocarbon extraction - 50 metres from structures and installations in which hydrocarbons are located;

4¹) around points of exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons in sea (in the territorial sea and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Latvia) - 500 metres from any part of the installation;

5) around filling stations and motor vehicle fuel dispensers - not less than 25 metres from tanks and fuel dispensers. In this protection zone objects related to the operation of the filling station may be located.

(3) The maximum width of safety protection zones around hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments shall be 500 metres.

(4) A draft methodology for the determination of safety protection zones around hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments, filling stations shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after coordination with the State Fire and Rescue Service and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 16 December 2010; 19 May 2016]

Section 31. Protection Zones around Quarries

[21 February 2002]

Section 32. Protection Zones around Dams

(1) Protection zones around dams shall be determined in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of the hydrotechnic structures of dams, and also the safety for humans at the dams.

(2) The minimum width of the protection zone above and below a dam shall be equal to the width of a watercourse downward the dam if it is less than 200 metres. The maximum width of the protection zone shall be 200 metres. The width of the protection zone shall be measured from the most protruding surface, underground, above-water, and under-water parts of hydrotechnic structures in the aquatorium.

(3) The minimum width of the protection zone on banks of the dam and dikes shall be 10 metres, the maximum width - 50 metres. The width of the protection zone shall be measured from the most protruding surface, underground, above-water, and under-water parts of the dam in the water body or watercourse, from the dry base of the slope, or from the most protruding surface or underground parts of the drainage installations of the dam or dike from a water body or watercourse if the dam or dike is equipped with drainage installations.

(4) A draft methodology for the determination of the safety protection zones around dams shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

[22 June 2015; 16 December 2010]

Section 32.¹ Protection Zones around Wind Power Stations

[6 October 2022]

Section 32.² Protection Zones around Gas Pipelines with Pressure above 1.6 Megapascals, around Gas Regulation Stations, Gas Regulation Points, Gas Metering Stations, Natural Gas Compressor Stations, Natural Gas Collection Points, Gas Storage Wells, Liquefied Hydrocarbon Gas Warehouses, Storage Sites and Filling Stations, Warehouses for Liquefied Hydrocarbon Gas Cylinders and Sales Points Thereof, Motor Vehicle Gas Filling Stations

(1) Protection zones around gas pipelines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals, around gas regulation stations, gas regulations points, gas metering stations, natural gas compressor stations, natural gas collection points, gas storage wells, liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storage sites and filling stations, warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders and sales points thereof, motor vehicle filling stations shall be determined in order to mitigate the possible negative impact on humans in case of accident of these installations and structures.

(2) Protection zones around gas pipelines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals, around gas regulation stations, gas regulation points, gas metering stations, natural gas compressor stations, natural gas collection points, gas storage wells, liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storage sites and filling stations, warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinder and sales points thereof, motor vehicle gas filling stations shall be established:

1) around gas pipelines, gas regulations stations, and gas metering stations - a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces on each side of the axis of gas pipeline or notional vertical surfaces outside the external walls of the structures, enclosure, or delimitation constructions of these objects, for a gas pipeline with a diameter:

a) up to 300 mm - at the distance of 75 metres;

b) from 300 mm to 600 mm - at the distance of 125 metres;

c) from 600 mm to 800 mm - at the distance of 150 metres;

1¹) around gas regulation points located in certain structures with input pressure:

a) up to 0.6 megapascals - at the distance of 7 metres;

b) above 0.6 megapascals - at the distance of 15 metres;

1²) around cabinet type gas regulation points with gas input pressure above 0.6 megapascals - at the distance of 10 metres;

2) around natural gas compressor stations, natural gas collection points, gas storage wells, liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storage sites and filling stations, warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders and sales points, motor vehicle gas filling stations - a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces outside the external walls of the structures, enclosure, or delimitation constructions of these objects:

a) around natural gas compressor stations - at the distance of 450 metres from the external wall of the structures or compressor station installations;

b) around natural gas collection points - at the distance of 300 metres;

c) around liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storage sites and filling stations related thereto which are intended for loading of liquefied hydrocarbon gas for carriage in vehicles (tank vehicles, rail tank-wagons, and ships) and unloading from these vehicles - at the distance of 100 metres;

d) around warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders and sales points - at the distance of 10 metres if the capacity of one gas cylinder is not more than 50 litres, for larger cylinders - at the distance of 25 metres;

e) around motor vehicle natural gas filling compressor stations (MVNGFCS) with the total compressed gas amount of gas accumulation pressure vessels above 500 m³ - at the distance of 50 metres from fencing;

f) around natural gas storage wells outside the gas storage area and wells which are not connected with natural gas storage collector layer - at the distance of 100 metres from the well;

g) around natural gas storage wells which are located in the storage area of natural gas and are connected with collectors layer - at the distance of 300 metres from the well;

h) around natural gas filling stations with total compressed gas amount of gas accumulation pressure vessels up to 500 m³ if the capacity of one gas cylinder is not more than 180 litres - at the distance of 25 metres;

i) around motor vehicle gas filling stations - at the distance of 25 metres from tanks and filling installations.

(2¹) The protection zone around gas pipelines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals and gas regulation and metering stations, if such gas pipelines and such stations are built up or re-built after 1 September 2002, are determined according to the calculation of the construction design, however, not less than:

1) 25 metres from the axis of gas pipeline - around gas pipelines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals;

2) 100 metres - around gas regulation and metering stations.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of safety protection zones around gas pipelines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals, around gas regulation stations, gas regulations points, gas metering stations, natural gas compressor stations, natural gas collection points, gas storage wells, liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storage sites and filling stations, warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders and sales points thereof, motor vehicle filling stations shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after coordination with the State Fire and Rescue Service and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 16 December 2010; 19 May 2016]

Section 32.³ Protection Zones along Railways on which Oil, Oil Products, and Hazardous Chemical Substances and Products are Carried

(1) Protection zones along railways on which oil, oil products, and hazardous chemical substances or products are carried in amounts which exceed 10 tanks or wagons in one railway rolling stock shall be determined in order to mitigate the possible negative impact on humans in case of accident.

(2) The width of protection zones on each side of railway on which oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances or products are carried shall be from 25 to 100 metres depending on the existing and planned construction density, surrounding relief, existing and planned protection installations and plantations.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of safety protection zones along railways on which oil, oil products, and hazardous chemical substances and products are carried shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Transport after coordination with the State Fire and Rescue Service.

[22 June 2005]

Section 32.⁴ Protection Zones along Aboveground Heating Pipelines with the Diameter of 400 Millimetres and Above

(1) Protection zones along aboveground heating pipelines with the diameter of 400 millimetres and above shall be defined in order to decrease the possible negative impact on people in case of an accident of such heating pipelines.

(2) A protection zone along an aboveground heating pipeline shall consist of a land parcel and airspace delimited by notional vertical surfaces at the distance of 25 metres on each side from the outer edge of the heating pipeline or the projection of the most protruding part thereof on the ground.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of safety protection zones along aboveground heating pipelines with the diameter of 400 millimetres and above shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after coordination with the State Fire and Rescue Service.

[22 June 2005]

Chapter VI
Basic Principles for the Establishment, Amending, and Liquidations of Protection Zones and the Restrictions on the Right to Use a Property Therein

[14 May 2009]

Section 33. Establishment, Amending, and Liquidation of Protection Zones

(1) Protection zones shall be determined by this Law and presented in spatial plans in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations. The borders of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga coastal protection zone approved in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 67 of this Law shall be specified in the local government spatial plan in accordance with Section 6 of this Law.

(2) Upon initiating the construction (arrangement) of such objects for which the protection zones have been determined in Sections 9, 13, Section 14, Paragraph one, Sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 23.¹, 23.², 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 32.², 32.³, and 32.⁴ of this Law, and also upon initiating enlargement of these objects if it is intended that thereafter the protection zones will cover new land areas, the owner or possessor of the object shall coordinate the construction (arrangement) of the relevant object with the land owner or legal possessor or, in accordance with the cases and procedures specified in laws and regulations, inform the land owner or legal possessor to whose immovable property the protection zone applies, and also the local government of the protection zone or the changes therein. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for the coordination of an object the protection zone of which is determined in Section 14, Paragraph one, Sections 16, 17, 19, and 22 of this Law and will cover land which is a joint property of the apartment owners of a multi-apartment house.

(3) [14 May 2009]

(4) [14 May 2009]

(5) A protection zone is amended if the width of the protection zone is changed in accordance with laws and regulations or the size of the protection zone changes upon renovation or rebuilding of the object for which a protection zone is determined.

(6) A protection zone is liquidated if the object for which the protection zone has been determined is liquidated.

(7) The owner or possessor of the object shall, after liquidation of the object, inform the State Land Service thereof.

(8) The owner or possessor of the object shall graphically present the borders of the protection zones determined in Section 15, Section 16, Paragraph two, Clause 2.¹, Section 18, Section 21, Paragraph two, and Section 23.¹ of this Law, agree thereupon with the relevant local government, and submit the data of the borders of the protection zones to the Sate Land Service.

(9) The border of the protection zone determined in Sections 14, 16 (except for Section 16, Paragraph two, Clause 2.¹), 17, 19, 20, Section 21, Paragraphs three and four, Section 22, 23, 30, 32.², and Section 32.⁴ of this Law shall be graphically presented in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Law on the Information System of Restricted Territories.

(10) A local government shall graphically present the borders of the protection zones determined in Sections 6, 7, 7.¹, 8, 9, 11, 13, 25, 26, 28, 32, and 32³ of this Law and the data of the borders of these protection zones shall be submitted to the State Land Service.

(11) Upon initiating the construction of a fixed radio monitoring points, the owner of the fixed radio monitoring point shall:

1) coordinate the construction of the relevant point with the owner, legal possessor, or community of apartment owners of the building or structure on which it is initiated to install a fixed radio monitoring point if the relevant building is a joint property of the apartment owners of a multi-apartment house;

2) coordinate the construction of the relevant fixed radio monitoring point with a local government;

3) by the publication in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis and on the website of that local government in the territory of which the fixed radio monitoring point will be located, inform of the protection zone and restrictions of the fixed radio monitoring point, indicating their immovable property cadastre numbers to which the protection zone applies. Concurrently a notification shall be sent to the owner or legal possessor of the immovable property to whose immovable property the protection zone applies.

(12) The compensation for the elimination of the negative consequences caused by deforestation specified in the Law on Forests shall not apply to the arrangement of the power line routes and changes in the width of the route referred to in this Law.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 14 March 2013; 18 April 2013; 28 November 2013; 19 May 2016; 22 December 2021; 6 October 2022; 23 November 2023]

Section 34. Overlapping of Protection Zones

In cases of the overlapping of several kinds of protection zones at one place, the stricter requirements and larger minimum width shall be in effect. All kinds of action in such places shall be coordinated with the authorities concerned.

Section 35. General Restrictions in Protection Zones

(1) General restrictions in protection zones shall be determined by laws and Cabinet regulations, they may also be prescribed by the binding rules of the local governments issued within the scope of their competence.

(2) If a protection zone has been determined for an object, the owner or possessor thereof is allowed to perform activities necessary for the exploitation, repair, renovation, rebuilding of the relevant object in the protection zone. The land owner or legal possessor shall be notified thereof in writing at least two weeks before commencement of the activities, except for the elimination of accidents or the activities for the liquidation of the consequences thereof which may be performed at any time without any notice.

(3) In protection zones which are on agricultural land, the planned activities of exploitation, repair, renovation, and rebuilding shall be carried out within the period of time when these areas are not occupied by agricultural crops or when the preservation of the agricultural crops is possible, except for the elimination of accidents or the activities for the liquidation of the consequences thereof which may be performed at any time.

(4) After performance of the works, the owner or possessor of the object shall restore the land areas so that they are useful for utilisation for the intended needs, and also shall compensate the land owner or legal possessor for losses caused during performance of the works. The amount of losses shall be determined and losses shall be compensated in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws or upon mutual agreement.

(5) If the protection zones coincide or cross, the works connected with the exploitation and repair of the relevant objects in the joint sections of the protection zones shall be performed by the owners or possessors of the relevant objects upon mutual agreement.

(6) Upon performing works in the protection zones in which it is necessary to protect the objects from damages, to rebuild or to displace them, legal and natural persons shall perform the protection, rebuilding, or displacement works after coordination with the owner or possessor of the relevant object. The expenditures related to the abovementioned activities shall be covered by the relevant legal or natural person or - upon mutual agreement - by the owner or possessor of the object.

(7) In protection zones, legal and natural persons shall fulfil the lawful requests of the owner or possessor of the relevant object.

(8) The services of local governments and responsible State authorities shall, for the purpose of control and supervision, be permitted to visit the territories of protection zones at any time in accordance with the procedures for the performance of control laid down in laws and regulations. The services of the object owners or possessors shall, for the purpose of control and supervision, be permitted to visit the territories of protection zones at any time, upon prior warning to the owner of the land, but if the right to use the land has been transferred to another person - to the user of the land.

(9) The owner or possessor of such object for which a protection zone has been determined shall use such protection zone without paying remuneration for the restriction of the right of use of immovable property. This condition shall not restrict the right of the owner, possessor, or user of immovable property to request compensation for direct losses caused to him or her.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 19 May 2016]

Section 36. Restrictions in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga Coastal Protection Zone

(1) The following restrictions are determined in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga coastal protection zone:

1) in cities and villages, the area of the unit of land to be newly created and the construction conditions shall be determined in the local government spatial plan;

2) outside cities and villages, it is permitted to place one farmstead with auxiliary buildings, a hotel, and a building of use similar thereto, an observation tower necessary for tourism, the infrastructure or engineering communications structure referred to in this Section on each land property in conformity with the local government spatial plan. When dividing a land parcel into several land parcels, the area of each land parcel may not be less than three hectares, except when the land parcel to be separated is necessary for the construction or maintenance of the infrastructure or engineering communications referred to in this Section and the conditions for the construction thereof are provided for in the local government spatial plan;

3) if, upon alienating or leasing land owned by the State or local government, a change in the type of land usage is intended which is not specified in the local government spatial plan, a Cabinet order shall be necessary each time;

4) it is prohibited to install amelioration structures without agreement thereupon with the State Environmental Service;

5) in order to preserve the cultural and historical landscape characteristic to the coastal area, the local government may include additional architecture requirements in the spatial plan for new construction.

(2) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, it is prohibited to build new buildings and structures and to enlarge existing ones in the coastal dune protection zone and beach, except for the cases where:

1) according to the local government spatial plan:

a) the existing buildings and structures are being renovated or restored;

b) auxiliary buildings are being built in addition to the existing residential buildings or structures;

c) the existing buildings or structures are being rebuilt not exceeding the existing construction volume, but, upon rebuilding the existing residential buildings the area of which is less than 150 square metres, the total area thereof may not exceed 150 square metres after rebuilding;

2) the port is being developed or existing fishery and fish processing enterprises are being developed or rebuilt, including the enterprises which perform commercial fishing in coastal waters;

3) the construction or enlargement of buildings and structures has been provided for in the local government spatial plan and takes place in the territory of a city;

4) the construction or enlargement of buildings and structures is performed at the places within the village borders approved in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 67 of this Law and specified in the local government spatial plan where previous constructions exist and the abovementioned activities are provided for in the local government spatial plan;

5) reinforcement of banks is carried out for the protection of the existing structures and infrastructure;

6) construction of car parks for motor vehicles and construction of rescue stations and access roads necessary for them and construction of small buildings necessary for the territory improvement are carried out;

7) streets and motorways are being constructed or rebuilt to ensure access to existing residential buildings or for the needs of construction permitted in this Section (if there have been previous constructions) if there are no other access possibilities;

8) external engineering networks are being constructed for the needs of existing constructions or construction permitted in this Section;

9) access roads are being constructed in a beach to ensure access to the beach or sea in the cases referred to in Paragraph three, Clause 6 of this Section;

10) publicly accessible nature tourism, cognitive, and recreational infrastructure objects (trails, bicycle paths, observation towers, recreation areas, information stands, instruction signs, etc.) and sanitary facilities are being constructed.

(2¹) The activities referred to in Paragraph two of this Section shall be carried out if:

1) the initial assessment of the environmental impact of the intended activity has been made and an opinion of the State Environmental Monitoring Bureau on the assessment report has been received or technical regulations have been issued in accordance with the requirements laid down in the law On Environmental Impact Assessment;

2) the relevant construction has been provided for in the local government spatial plan.

(3) In addition to that referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, it is prohibited in the coastal dune and beach protection zone:

1) to alienate land owned by the State or local government, except for the cases specified in laws where a person has the right to acquire in the ownership the land under the building (structure) provided that the ownership rights to the building (structure) have been corroborated in the Land Register for the relevant person, as well as in the cases when the land owned by the State is transferred into the ownership of a local government without consideration and the land owned by a local government is transferred into the ownership of the State without consideration in compliance with the procedures laid down by the Law on the Alienation of the Property of a Public Entity regarding exchange or transferring without consideration of immovable property;

2) to delimit access to the sea with fences, and also to hinder free movement of pedestrians and their presence at the beach and in the towpath, except for the port territory in conformity with the local government spatial plan. Decisions on the demolition of fences shall be taken and executed in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations;

3) to place and arrange storage facilities of mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricants, hazardous chemical substances or chemical products, timber, and also materials containing hazardous chemical substances or chemical products and filling stations, except for in conformity with the spatial plan - in the port territory, and also structures for the storage of feed-stuff (except for hay sheds without complete foundations);

4) to obtain and use mineral resources, except for the acquisition of underground waters for water supply needs or recreation;

5) to install landfill sites;

6) to move about, stop, and stand with motor vehicles outside of motor roads and to move about on access roads on the beach, except when the movement is related to the maintenance or supervision of the territory, or the State protection, or the search and rescue of persons, or the carrying out of fire-fighting and rescue operations, border surveillance, or the ensuring of public order and security, and also when a written permission of the local government has been obtained for the needs of industrial fishing or a written permission of the possessor of the marine coastal area has been obtained for ensuring public events, for bringing water sports equipment and vessels, and for ensuring tourism services in the places provided for in the spatial plan or local plan, and for performing environmental monitoring and scientific research. In addition to the abovementioned exceptional cases, it shall be allowed to move about natural carriageways (undeveloped carriageway of not more than four meters in width for the purpose of the management and protection of forest land) only to access residential buildings or tourism and recreational places provided for in the local government spatial plan if there are no other access possibilities;

7) to organise public sports, entertainment, or recreation events not coordinated with the local government, but if the protection zone is located in a specially protected nature territory - with the administration of this territory;

8) to place special dwelling trailers, any constructions, temporary and folding structures, except for the elements of beach utilities, outside of the places provided for such purposes in the local government spatial plan;

9) to modify the relief, to damage and destroy the natural topsoil, except for the cases when it is necessary for the performance of the activities permitted in this Section.

(4) In addition to that referred to in Paragraphs one, two, and three of this Section, it is prohibited in the coastal dune protection zone:

1) to perform final felling, except for the tree felling for the liquidation of the consequences of an emergency situation, and also for the liquidation of the consequences of windthrow, windfall, and snow-thrown wood;

2) to perform construction, arrangement of parks, wood parks, and utilised agricultural areas in a forest as a result of which the area is deforested, and to perform construction, arrangement of parks, wood parks, and utilised agricultural areas in glades without a Cabinet order each time. The Cabinet shall issue an order each time for the arrangement of utilised agricultural area in the forest existing in the coastal dune protection zone within six months from the day when a submission is received at the local government. The procedures for the tree felling in a forest existing in the coastal dune protection zone for the implementation of the activities referred to in this Clause shall be determined by the Cabinet;

3) to make fires outside the places arranged for such purpose and the courtyards of houses, except for the cases when the dry trees, windthrown or windfallen trees, and trees infected with diseases or materials infested by pests must be destroyed;

4) to place tents outside of the places arranged or specified for this purpose without coordination with a land owner or legal possessor.

(5) A local government shall provide the possibility for pedestrians to access the beach and places for the arrangement of parking places for cars (vehicles) in the local government spatial plan or local plan. The local government shall organise the arranging of pedestrian paths and placement of relevant indications, taking into account the existing constructions and the boundaries of properties as well as the requirement that there should be at least two pedestrian paths per one kilometre in cities and villages, but outside cities and villages the pedestrian paths may not be farther than one kilometre from each other, except when this cannot be ensured due to natural conditions. If a pedestrian path of no more than two meters in width with a soft surface or wooden planking is arranged in the forest, its area shall not be deforested. Where necessary, the local government may determine a restriction on the ownership rights in the local government spatial plan or local plan in favour of the possibility for the public to access the beach also without the consent of the owner of the immovable property. The land owner has the right to compensation for losses if any have arisen due to the determination of the restriction. The type, amount of the compensation for losses and the procedures for the calculation thereof shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(6) In specially protected nature territories, and also in the territories of cultural and historical monuments, the movement of pedestrians shall be governed by the protection and utilisation regulations of these territories.

(7) If the building of objects of official State infrastructures and engineering and communication systems which are not provided for in the local government spatial plan is foreseen, constructions in the coastal dune protection zone and beaches shall be permitted only by a Cabinet order each time.

(8) It is prohibited to drive motorboats and jet-skis in bathing water sites arranged in the sea protection zone if it is not connected with the operation of specialised services, and the management and supervision of these territories. The local government shall determine the specially marked places where driving with jet-skis is allowed.

[19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011; 14 March 2013; 19 May 2016; 18 June 2020; 22 December 2021; 6 October 2022; 23 November 2023]

Section 37. Restrictions in Surface Water Body Protection Zones

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions shall be specified for surface water body protection zones:

1) it is prohibited to place structures for the storage of feed-stuff (except for hay sheds), storage facilities of mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricants, hazardous chemical substances or chemical products, timber, and also materials containing hazardous chemical substances or chemical products, except the places provided for such purpose in the spatial plans or local plans;

2) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

3) it is prohibited to perform clear felling in a zone that is 50 metres in width or in the entire width of the protection zone if the protection zone is narrower than 50 metres, except for a forest stand where the dominant tree species is white alder, to perform trees felling for the liquidation of the consequences of emergency situations and for the liquidation of the consequences of windthrow, windfall, and snow-thrown wood, and also for the regeneration and management of alluvial meadows. Upon performing clear felling in a forest stand where the dominant tree species is white alder, the following conditions shall be conformed to:

a) oaks, lindens, elms, wyches, maples, pines, black alders, willows, and crab-apple trees shall be retained;

b) felling of trees on slopes the inclination of which exceeds 30 degrees is prohibited;

c) felling of trees is prohibited from 1 April until 30 June;

d) the area of the clear felling does not exceed one hectare in the protection zone of a surface water body;

e) upon renewing a forest stand, the ratio of spruce-trees does not exceed 80 per cent of the total number of trees grown in through afforestation;

4) it is prohibited to perform raising of the ground, to construct buildings and structures, and also protective dikes in flood zones, except for:

a) construction of temporary-use structures and small buildings;

b) renovation of the existing structures;

c) restoration of cultural monuments;

d) construction of the structures of transport and electronic communications networks and construction of water supply and sewerage networks, construction of water supply facilities and main pipelines, construction of energy transmission and distribution structures;

e) construction of bathing water sites, boathouses, piers for boats and motor-powered water-borne vessel;

f) construction of yacht harbours where at least 25 mooring places for pleasure boats in water are intended and construction of the structures necessary for ensuring the operation and infrastructure objects thereof;

g) construction of State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and posts and other fixed monitoring points and posts of national significance;

h) construction of temporary-use structures necessary for the management of biotopes and construction of observation towers, planks, and similar objects necessary for nature tourism;

i) construction of engineering protection and hydrotechnic structures for the protection of existing constructions against high water or flood and fixed protection structures for the holding up and collection of pollution;

j) raising of the ground level for the implementation of the construction specified in Sub-clauses "d", "e", "f", "g", and "i" of this Clause;

4¹) in flood zones of ports it is prohibited to perform raising of the ground level, to construct buildings and structures, except for hydrotechnic structures, quaysides, infrastructures, engineering communications, and other structures related to port activities, and to perform raising of the ground level necessary for the abovementioned structures, also renovation of the existing structures if such activities are not in contradiction with the local government spatial plan and the requirements of laws and regulations, also the requirements which are laid down in respect of environmental impact assessment, are complied with;

5) in addition to that referred to in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 4.¹ of this Paragraph it is prohibited in the 10 metre zone:

a) to locate filling stations;

b) to build and to place any buildings and structures, including fences (except for the renovation of existing structures; restoration of cultural monuments; construction of transport and electronic communications networks, water supply and sewerage network, construction of water supply installations and main pipelines, construction of structures for electricity transmission and distribution; construction of bathing water sites, boathouses, piers for boats and motor-powered water-borne vessels; construction of State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and posts and other fixed monitoring points and posts of national significance, and also reinforcement of banks; construction of hydrotechnic structures, piers, infrastructure, engineering communications, and also construction of other structures related to port activities; construction of yacht harbours and structures and infrastructure objects necessary for the operation thereof, and also raising the ground level provided for in the cases referred to in Clauses 4 and 4.¹ of this Paragraph);

c) to use fertiliser material and chemical plant protection products;

d) to install amelioration buildings without coordination with the regional environmental board;

e) to perform final felling, except for tree felling for the liquidation of the consequences of an emergency situation, windthrow, windfall, and snow-thrown wood, and also in the forest stand where the dominant tree species is white alder;

f) to obtain and use mineral resources, except for the acquisition of underground waters for water supply needs or recreation for a dwelling house or building intended for vacationer care located in the protection zone;

g) to wash motor vehicles and agricultural machinery;

h) to perform deforestation of the territory if it is not related to the exceptional cases referred to in Sub-clause "b" of this Clause;

i) to light fires and place tents outside of the places specified for this purpose without coordination with the land owner or legal possessor;

j) to arrange technological corridors for bringing of timber;

6) it is prohibited to place the obtained ground after deepening or cleaning of the surface water body in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations outside of the places provided for such purposes;

7) it is prohibited to arrange racing tracks and trial places of motor vehicles;

(1¹) The activities referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 4 of this Section may be performed if they are not in contradiction with the local government spatial plan and the requirements of laws and regulations, also the requirements which have been laid down in respect of the environmental impact assessment are conformed to.

(2) In bathing water sites arranged in the surface water bodies in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations it is prohibited to drive with motorboats and jet-skis, if it is not related to the operation of a specialised services, and the management and supervision of these territories.

(3) The local government shall take a relevant decision on the demolition of any illegal fence in the protection zones of surface water bodies. The local government shall perform or organise the demolition of the fence, if the owner or legal possessor, has not demolished the fence within a month after the taking of a decision by the local government. The expenditures related to demolition shall be covered by the owner or legal possessor of the fence.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 6 March 2008; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011; 19 November 2015; 19 May 2016]

Section 37.¹ Restrictions in Protection Zones around Marshes

The Law on Forests shall prescribe the restrictions in the protection zones around the marshes as wetlands.

[21 February 2002]

Section 38. Restrictions in Protection Zones (Protection Strips) around Cultural Monuments

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, in protection zones (protection strips) around cultural monuments the following restrictions shall be specified:

1) economic activity in the protection zones (protection strips) around cultural monuments may only be performed with a permit from the State Inspection for Heritage Protection and the owner of the cultural monument;

2) in the case of selling of the land of the cultural monument and the protection zone thereof owned by one owner, it is prohibited to divide it;

3) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, fuel, lubricants, chemical substances, timber and storage facilities for other kinds of materials and substances, except for the places specially intended and arranged for such purposes;

4) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

5) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to the cultural monument;

6) it is prohibited to store and to pour out chemically active and substances causing corrosion.

Section 39. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Water Abstraction Points

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined for protection zones around water abstraction points:

1) in strict regime protection zones any economic activity is prohibited, except for such which is related to water extraction in a particular water supply drilling or the maintenance and management of the relevant water extraction and supply objects at the source of the water;

2) for the construction of structures in the bacteriological protection zone, the initial assessment of the environmental impact shall be made in the cases specified in the law On Environmental Impact Assessment. If groundwater is used as a centralised water-supply (unprotected from surface pollution infiltration) horizon, including the method of artificial supplementation of stocks of underground water, the following restrictions referred to in Clause 1 of this Section shall be observed. It is prohibited in the bacteriological protection zone:

a) to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricants, chemical substances and chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances, except for the places intended for such purposes in the spatial plans or local plans;

b) to install landfill sites;

c) to locate filling stations;

d) to block up service roads and accesses to water supply installations;

e) to carry out works with impact mechanisms, to throw out and pour out acid and corrosion causing substances, fuel, and lubricants;

f) to carry out any kind of extraction of mineral resources, loading and unloading, dredging work, drawing of soil and detonation works;

g) to store and to pour out chemically active and corrosion causing substances;

h) to use fertiliser material and chemical plant protection products;

3) for the construction of structures in the chemical protection zone, the technical regulations of the State Environmental Service shall be received in accordance with the procedures provided for in laws and regulations;

4) if groundwater (unprotected) water horizon or the method of artificial supplementation of stock of underground water is used for centralised water supply, the following is prohibited in the chemical protection zone in a zone that is 500 metres in width around the strict regime protection zone:

a) to change the category of use of the forest and utilised agricultural area, except for the change of the category of the land use in the territories of existing villages and construction of structures in farmsteads outside the borders of the village territory, and also in the cases when it is necessary for the construction of water supply structures;

b) to establish new villages and enlarge existing ones;

c) outside existing villages, to divide the land in units of land which are less than 2400 square metres;

d) to discharge wastewater (also after treatment in local treatment plants) from the construction objects to be newly designed and rebuilt in the ground and surface water bodies;

e) to install landfill sites.

[21 February 2002; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011; 23 October 2014; 19 May 2016; 23 November 2023]

Section 40. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Health Resorts

[21 February 2002]

Section 41. Restrictions in the Forest Protection Zones Around Cities

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in forest protection zones around cities:

1) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, fuel, lubricants, chemical substances and chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances, except for the places intended for such purpose in the spatial plans or local plans;

2) it is prohibited to install landfill sites.

[20 February 2005; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011 / Amendments to Clause 1 shall come into force on 1 December 2011. See Paragraph 20 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 42. Restrictions in Protection Zones along Motor Roads and Railways

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, in protection zones along motor roads and railways the following restrictions are determined:

1) in order to ensure visibility of the motor road and the transport safety of the vehicles, in the protection zones along motor roads it is prohibited:

a) to fell trees in the zone of 30 metres from the axis of the State motor road to each side unless a written coordination for tree felling has been received from valsts akciju sabiedrība "Latvijas Valsts ceļi" [State joint-stock company Latvian State Roads]. A reply to the request for such coordination shall be provided within two weeks after the day of submitting the request for the coordination;

b) to cultivate a forest in the total land requirement, and also to place timber yards if a written coordination for the placement of timber has not been received from the owner of the motor road. A reply to the request for such coordination shall be provided within two weeks after the day of submitting the request for the coordination;

c) to carry out any building works and extraction of mineral resources without the permission of the owner of the motor road, and also ground digging and displacement works, except for works necessary for agricultural needs;

2) in protection zones along railways it is prohibited:

a) to perform activities that will result in the visibility of the railway being decreased or covering with snow being increased;

b) to perform activities as a result of which the hydrological conditions in the railway protection zone shall deteriorate or the functioning of the amelioration systems and structures of the protection zone and adjacent to it or crossing it shall be disturbed;

c) to perform any building or ground digging and displacement works without coordination with the manager of the railway infrastructure;

d) [22 June 2005];

e) to block up service roads and accesses to the servicing objects of the railway.

(2) [14 March 2013]

[21 February 2002; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011; 14 March 2013]

Section 43. Restrictions in Protection Zones along Electronic Communications Networks and Fixed Radio Monitoring Points

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, besides the plan for the work to be carried out which has been coordinated with the possessor of the electronic communications network in writing, it is prohibited in the protection zones along electronic communications networks:

1) to perform any construction, assembly, and blasting works, ground grading with machinery, and also earthwork deeper than 0.3 metres, in arable land - deeper than 0.45 metres, in the total land requirement - deeper than 0.5 metres;

2) to carry out works of geological and geodesic exploration connected with drillings, taking of earth samples, and other similar works;

3) to plant trees, to place field settlements, to keep livestock, to unload materials, feedstuff and fertiliser, to make fires, and to install shooting grounds;

4) to transport freight which does not conform to the dimensions under overhead lines of electronic communications networks, and also to arrange parking places for road transport, tractors, and mechanisms;

5) to arrange quaysides for ships, barges, and floating cranes, to perform loading, unloading, dredging works and drawing of soil, to anchor, to drag anchors, chains, leads, towed nets, and trawls, to determine fishing areas, to fish, to collect plants using deepwater tools, to arrange places for the watering of livestock, and to chop and obtain ice;

6) to demolish and rebuild buildings and bridges, to rebuild collectors and tunnels in which cables of electronic communications networks have been placed or stands, cable distribution boxes and distribution cabinets of electronic communication network lines have been installed (if a builder has not previously replaced the electronic communications network lines and equipment after coordination with the possessor thereof);

7) to bury or to break measuring poles and danger labels, to place heavy objects on the tracks of underground cable lines (more than 5 tons), to install in the paths outlets for acids, salts, and alkali;

8) to open the doors and hatches of unserviceable repeater and regeneration stations, microwave lines, cable duct cable manholes, pits, distribution cabinets and cable boxes of electronic communications networks, and also persons who do not service the abovementioned lines and equipment shall not be allowed to connect to the electronic communications network lines and equipment;

9) to carry out any other activities which may cause damage to the telecommunication lines and equipment;

10) digging the earth, to use crowbars, mattocks, wedges, and pneumatic tools;

11) to cover with earth or building materials the covers of the hatches of cable duct cable manholes, distribution cabinets, danger labels, and measuring poles in the underground cable tracks, and also to displace the existing electronic communications network lines and equipment without a previous coordination with the possessor thereof.

(2) It shall be allowed to build buildings or structures the height of which exceeds 20 metres and the height of the base of the antenna system of the fixed radio monitoring point in the protection zone of the fixed radio monitoring point after a written coordination of the construction design or installation design with the owner of the fixed radio monitoring point.

[19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 14 March 2013; 19 May 2016]

Section 44. Restrictions in Protection Zones around State Meteorological and Hydrological Observation Stations and Posts and around Other Fixed Monitoring Points and Posts of National Significance

(1) Any activity by natural or legal persons is prohibited without coordination with the State limited liability company Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre in the protection zones around State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and posts and around other fixed monitoring points and stations of national significance (except for the forest monitoring points).

(2) The restrictions for the management of a forest monitoring model site shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 16 December 2010]

Section 45. Restrictions in Protection Zones along Electrical Power Networks

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones along electrical power networks, except for protection zones along overhead lines of electrical power networks with the nominal voltage up to 20 kilovolts if they are crossing a forest territory where restrictions are specified only on the power line route:

1) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to the objects of the electrical power networks;

2) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, fuel, lubricants, chemical substances and chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances;

3) it is prohibited to arrange sports grounds, playground, stadiums, markets, public transport stops, parking-places for machines and mechanisms in protection zones along overhead lines, and also to perform any events connected with the gathering of people;

4) it is prohibited to perform works with impact mechanisms, to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid and corrosion causing substances, fuel, and lubricants, in the protection zones along electricity transmission cable lines;

5) it is prohibited to build, perform capital repairs, rebuild, or demolish any building and structure without the permission of the owner of the relevant communications;

6) to carry out any kind of extraction of mineral resources, loading and unloading, dredging work, drawing of soil, detonation and amelioration works, and also to place field settlements and mechanically watered agricultural cultivated plants;

7) it is prohibited to arrange quaysides for ships, barges, and floating cranes, to anchor, to drag anchors and nets, to determine fishing areas and to fish, to catch marine animals and to obtain marine plants using deepwater tools, and also to arrange watering places in protection zones along submerged electricity transmission cable lines;

8) it is prohibited to chop ice;

9) it is prohibited to drive with machines and mechanisms, and also to work with agricultural machinery the height of which, measuring from the surface of road (ground), exceeds 4.5 metres;

10) it is prohibited to carry out earthwork deeper than 0.3 metres, but in cultivated soils - deeper than 0.45 metres, and also to perform ground grading with machinery;

11) it is prohibited to perform works connected with temporary flooding of the land;

12) it is prohibited to disturb, by any activities, the employees of the energy supply undertaking who are performing maintenance, repair, rebuilding works, works related to the prevention of accidents or the liquidation of the consequences thereof in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law;

13) it is prohibited to cultivate trees and bushes in forest lands - in the areas which are indicated in the methodology for the determination of protection zones, outside forest lands - in the entire width of the protection zone. Outside forest lands the land owner or legal possessor may cultivate trees and bushes in the protection zone if a written agreement has been entered into thereon with the owner of electrical power networks.

(2) When building irrigation ditches and draining collector ditches, and also arranging fences and performing other works, the service roads and access roads to the electrical power networks and the structures thereof shall be preserved.

(3) [14 May 2009]

(4) [14 May 2009]

[21 February 2002; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 18 April 2013; 19 May 2016]

Section 46. Restrictions in Protection Zones along Heating Networks

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones along heating networks:

1) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to heating networks;

2) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

3) it is prohibited to perform works with impact mechanisms;

4) it is prohibited to store and to pour out chemically active and corrosion causing substances and fuel;

5) it is prohibited to perform works which may cause flooding of heating networks and an increase in the groundwater level;

6) it is prohibited in the protection zone of heating networks without prior coordination with the owner of heating networks:

a) to build, to make capital repairs, rebuild, or demolish any buildings and structures, and also any communications;

b) to perform earthwork deeper than 0.3 metres, and also to perform ground grading with mechanisms;

c) to perform other works which disturb the servicing of heating networks and may damage them.

(2) [14 May 2009]

[21 February 2002; 14 May 2009; 19 May 2016]

Section 47. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Land Amelioration Structures and Installations

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones around land amelioration structures and installations:

1) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

2) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to amelioration structures and installations, to make stacks of stones;

3) to carry out works with impact mechanisms, to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid and corrosion causing substances, fuel, and lubricants.

(2) It is prohibited to leave growing bushes and trees in protection zones around State land amelioration structures and installations and around those of national significance if they are hindering the performance of exploitation and maintenance works of land amelioration systems and hydrotechnic structures, and also renovation or rebuilding works.

[21 February 2002; 14 May 2009; 19 May 2016]

Section 48. Restrictions in Protection Zones along Water Supply and Sewage Networks

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones along water supply and sewage networks:

1) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to the objects of the water supply and sewage networks;

2) to carry out works with impact mechanisms, to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid and corrosion causing substances, fuel, and lubricants;

3) it is prohibited to store and to pour out chemically active and corrosion causing substances and fuel.

Section 49. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Geodetic Network Markers

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones around geodetic network markers:

1) it is prohibited to carry out activities which hinder access to geodetic network markers and the performance of geodetic work therein;

2) it is prohibited to place metallic objects or objects with strong magnetic field around class 1 markers of the geomagnetic network;

3) it is prohibited to perform mass displacement (to dig or cover with soil, to change the density of the soil, etc.) around class 1 markers of the gravimetrical network;

4) it is prohibited to carry out economic activity or construction in protection zones of State geodetic network markers without coordination with the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency;

5) it is prohibited to carry out economic activity or construction in protection zones of the local geodetic network markers without coordination with the relevant local government.

[14 May 2009; 23 May 2013]

Section 50. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Technical Aids to Navigation and Military Technical Means of Maritime Surveillance

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones around technical aids to navigation:

1) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, chemical substances and chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kinds of materials and substances, except for the places intended for such purpose in the spatial plans or local plans;

2) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

3) it is prohibited to construct buildings and structures, to install equipment interfering with the operation of the technical aids to navigation.

(2) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, it is prohibited, without the approval of the Ministry of Defence, to construct buildings and structures which interfere with the operation of the technical aids to navigation and military technical means of maritime surveillance intended for the national defence needs in protection zones around them. The Cabinet shall determine restrictions for the construction of buildings and structures in protection zones around technical aids to navigation and military technical means of maritime surveillance intended for the national defence needs.

(3) The Ministry of Defence shall be reimbursed for the expenses necessary to ensure the operation of technical aids to navigation and military technical means of maritime surveillance intended for the national defence needs which have been incurred after the permit referred to in the first sentence of Paragraph two of this Section for the construction of buildings and structures has been granted. The amount of the expenses shall be determined and reimbursed in accordance with a written agreement.

[21 February 2002; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011; 28 November 2013; 6 October 2022]

Section 51. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Dam Safety Determination Control and Measuring Instrumentation

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones around dam safety determination control and measuring instrumentation:

1) it is prohibited to perform earthwork deeper than 0.3 metres, and also drilling works and works with impact mechanisms;

2) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

3) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricants, chemical substances and chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances, except for the places intended for such purpose in the spatial plans or local plans;

4) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses.

[21 February 2002; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011 / Amendments to Clause 3 shall come into force on 1 December 2011. See Paragraph 20 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 51.¹ Restrictions in Protection Zones around Optical Telescopes and Radio Telescopes

In addition to that referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones around optical telescopes and radio telescopes:

1) in the radio quiet zone it is prohibited to install broadcasting radio equipment and use radio equipment present in such territory, except for the terminal equipment of the surface public electronic communications network and equipment necessary for the exploitation of the object;

2) in the outdoor artificial lighting restriction area it is prohibited to install and use light sources with light strength which is more than 150 candelas, but other light sources shall be equipped with shields which covers direct light above horizon;

3) tree felling shall be coordinated with the Ministry of Education and Science in the radius of 300 metres around the optical telescope pavilion in Baldone.

[14 May 2009; 23 October 2014]

Section 52. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Graveyards

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones around graveyards:

1) it is prohibited to arrange new drinking water abstraction points, except for the cases when the calculations of the bacteriological protection zone of the possible drinking water abstraction point have been made and it is determined that qualitative drinking water may be ensured in conformity with the methodology for the determination of protection zones around water abstraction points;

2) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

3) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to graveyards.

(2) In addition to the restrictions referred to in this Section, restrictions may be determined in the spatial plan or local plan of a local government due to ethical considerations.

[21 February 2002; 14 May 2009; 13 October 2011 / Amendments to Paragraph two shall come into force on 1 December 2011. See Paragraph 20 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 53. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Animal Graveyards

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, it is prohibited to perform works which may cause flooding and an increase in the groundwater level in protection zones around animal graveyards.

Section 54. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Objects of Veterinary Supervision

[21 February 2002]

Section 55. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Landfill Sites, Waste Dumps, around High-Capacity Incineration Establishments of Animal By-products not Intended for Human Consumption or Processing Establishments Thereof and Wastewater Treatment Plants

In addition to that referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones around landfill sites, waste dumps, around high-capacity incineration establishments of animal by-products not intended for human consumption or processing establishments thereof and wastewater treatment plants:

1) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to landfill sites, waste dumps and water treatment equipment, and also service roads and accesses to high-capacity incineration establishments of animal by-products not intended for human consumption or processing establishments thereof;

2) it is prohibited to perform works which may cause flooding or an increase of the groundwater level;

3) it is prohibited to construct new buildings, except for the construction of buildings above wastewater containers with ventilation and for the cases where construction of buildings is related to waste management, landfill sites, exploitation of wastewater treatment plants, and also high-capacity incineration establishments of animal by-products not intended for human consumption or processing establishments thereof, processing and use of by-products of wastewater treatment process, the needs of the staff and security guards, laboratories, car parks, communications, power lines, power stations, pumping stations, underground reservoirs, gas pipelines, oil and oil product pipelines;

4) it is prohibited to arrange new drinking water abstraction points.

[21 February 2002; 22 June 2005]

Section 56. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Gas Pipelines, Gas Supply Installations and Structures, Gas Warehouses and Storage Sites

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Sections 35 and 58.² of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in exploitation protection zones around gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites:

1) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

2) it is prohibited to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid or corrosion causing substances, fuel, or lubricants;

3) it is prohibited to carry out works which are related to detonation and to extraction of mineral resources;

4) it is prohibited to block up and delimit with fences service roads and accesses to gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites;

5) it is prohibited to walk along above-water gas pipeline transitions;

6) it is prohibited to perform works related to flooding of the land;

7) it is prohibited to drag anchors and nets, to determine fishing areas and to fish, to catch marine animals, and to obtain marine plants using deep water tools in protection zones along underwater gas pipelines;

8) it is prohibited to cultivate trees and bushes in the areas which are indicated in the methodology for the determination of protection zones;

9) it is prohibited to construct any buildings;

10) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, hazardous chemical substances and products, timber, flammable, highly flammable, and extremely flammable substances, products, and materials;

11) it is prohibited to place filling stations;

12) it is prohibited to arrange quaysides for ships, barges, and floating cranes, and also to perform dredging work and drawing of soil;

12¹) it is prohibited to disturb, by any activity, employees of a gas supply undertaking who perform exploitation, repair, reconstruction works, works related to the prevention of accidents or liquidation of the consequences thereof;

13) if a written agreement with the owner of gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storages sites has not been entered into, it is prohibited:

a) to perform works with fire and flame, to force piles, to use impact mechanisms with a capacity which exceeds 100 kilowatts;

b) to carry out earthwork deeper than 0.3 metres, but in arable lands - deeper than 0.45 metres, and also to perform amelioration and ground grading works;

c) to perform geological, geodesic, and other research works related to making of drillings and ground sampling (except for soil samples);

d) to construct, renovate, or rebuild engineering structures;

e) to arrange carriageways and crossings of carriageways;

f) to perform other works which disturb the servicing of gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites or may damage these objects.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 19 May 2016]

Section 57. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Hydrocarbon Extraction Points, Pipelines for Oil, Oil Products, Hazardous Chemical Substances and Products, Tanks, Storage Sites, Processing and Reloading Establishments, Filling Stations

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in safety protection zones in the zone of 25 metres around hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments thereof, filling stations:

1) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

2) it is prohibited to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid or corrosion causing substances, fuel, or lubricants;

3) it is prohibited to walk along above-water gas pipeline transitions;

4) it is prohibited to perform works related to flooding of the land;

5) it is prohibited to cultivate trees and bushes in the areas which are indicated in the methodology for the determination of protection zones;

6) if a written agreement with the owner of hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments, filling stations has not been entered into, it is prohibited:

a) to construct, renovate, rebuild, or demolish any buildings and engineering structures;

b) to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, hazardous chemical substances and products, timber, flammable, highly flammable, and extremely flammable substances, products, and materials;

c) to locate filling stations;

d) to arrange quaysides for ships, barges, and floating cranes;

e) to perform works with fire and flame, to force piles, to use vibrating rollers with weight which exceeds 5000 kilograms, and impact mechanisms with a capacity which exceeds 100 kilowatts;

f) to carry out earthwork deeper than 0.3 metres, but in arable lands - deeper than 0.45 metres, and also to perform amelioration and ground grading works;

g) to perform geological, geodesic, and other research works related to making of drillings and ground sampling (except for soil samples);

h) to perform dredging work and drawing of soil;

i) to perform other works which hinder servicing of hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments, filling stations, and equipment related with these objects or may damage these objects.

(2) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in the entire safety protection zone around hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments, filling stations:

1) it is prohibited to carry out works which are related to detonation and to extraction of mineral resources;

2) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments and their objects;

3) it is prohibited to drag anchors or nets, to determine fishing areas and to fish, to catch marine animals, and to obtain marine plants using deep water tools in protection zones along underwater pipelines;

(3) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones around hydrocarbon extraction points and pipelines of such hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments thereof which, in accordance with the Chemical Substances Law, are explosive, extremely flammable, or highly flammable, very toxic or toxic chemical substances or chemical products:

1) it is prohibited to construct new residential houses or rebuild existing buildings as residential houses;

2) it is prohibited to construct new non-residential buildings or rebuild existing buildings as non-residential buildings, except for the buildings of transport and communications institutions and industrial production buildings and warehouses the construction of which has been coordinated in writing with the owner of hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments;

3) it is prohibited to construct new sports and recreational structures or to rebuild existing buildings as sports and recreational structures;

4) it is prohibited to open educational institutions, to arrange playgrounds and recreational areas;

5) it is prohibited to organise public events;

6) it is prohibited to arrange public transport stops in safety protection zones in cities and villages;

7) if a written agreement with the owner of hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storage sites, processing and reloading establishments has not been entered into, it is prohibited to place filling stations, storage facilities of hazardous chemical substances and products, timber, flammable, highly flammable, and extremely flammable substances, products, and materials.

(4) It is prohibited to navigate in safety protection zones around hydrocarbon exploration and extraction points in sea (in the territorial sea and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Latvia), except for the cases:

1) when navigation is related to the installation, control, testing, repair, maintenance, change, renovation, or dismantling of an underwater cable or pipeline in such protection zone or in its vicinity;

2) when navigation is related to the provision of services to any of the installations existing in such protection zone, with the carriage of a person or goods to such installation or from it;

3) when any installation or connected infrastructures are being controlled in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the sector;

4) which are related to saving of life or property or an attempt of saving;

5) when the weather conditions are adverse;

6) when there is a danger situation;

7) when a consent of the responsible authority specified in laws and regulations has been received.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 23 October 2014; 19 May 2016]

Section 58. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Dams

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones around dams:

1) it is prohibited to fish without coordination with the owner of the dam;

2) it is prohibited to drive in protection zones with floating structures without coordination with the owner of the dam, except for the performance of rescue works, the prevention of accidents, or the liquidation of the consequences thereof and for the driving in for ensuring control in the protection zones of the dams of hydroelectric power stations conforming to safety class B and C and in the protection zones of the dams not related to hydroelectric power stations;

3) if there is no work performance project coordinated with the owner of the dam, it is prohibited to perform drilling works, construction works, works with impact mechanisms and earthwork deeper than 0.3 metres;

4) it is prohibited to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid or corrosion causing substances, fuel, or lubricants;

5) it is prohibited to install landfill sites;

6) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, timber, flammable, highly flammable, and extremely flammable substances, products, and materials;

7) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009]

Section 58.¹ Restrictions in Safety Protection Zones around Wind Power Stations

[6 October 2022]

Section 58.² Restrictions in Protection Zones around Gas Pipelines with Pressure Above 1.6 Megapascals, around Gas Regulation Stations, Gas Regulation Points, Gas Metering Stations, Natural Gas Compressor Stations, Natural Gas Collection Points, Gas Storage Wells, Liquefied Hydrocarbon Gas Warehouses, Storage Sites and Filling Stations, Warehouses for Liquefied Hydrocarbon Gas Cylinders and Sales Points Thereof, Motor Vehicle Gas Filling Stations

(1) The following restrictions are determined in safety protection zones around gas pipelines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals, around gas regulation stations, gas regulation points, gas metering stations, natural gas compressor stations, natural gas collection points, gas storage wells, liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storage sites and filling stations, warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders and sales points thereof, motor vehicle gas filling stations:

1) it is prohibited to construct new buildings or rebuild non-residential buildings as residential buildings, and also - if a written agreement has not been entered into with the owner of gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites - to reconstruct existing buildings;

2) it is prohibited to construct or open new sports, educational, and recreational structures or institutions or to rebuild existing buildings as sports, educational, and recreational structures or institutions;

3) it is prohibited to arrange playgrounds and recreational areas;

4) it is prohibited to organise public events;

5) [14 May 2009];

6) [19 May 2016];

7) it is prohibited to perform other works (or activities) which hinder ensuring of environmental and human safety during exploitation of gas pipelines, gas regulation stations, gas regulation points, natural gas compressor stations, gas storage sites, liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storage sites and filling stations, warehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders and sales points thereof or motor vehicle gas filling stations and in the case of possible accidents.

(2) The owner of a gas pipeline together with the motor road manager shall ensure a prohibition to stop in safety protection zones along gas pipelines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 19 May 2016]

Section 58.³ Restrictions in Protection Zones along Railways on which Oil, Oil Products and Hazardous Chemical Substances and Products are Carried

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones along railways on which oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances or products are carried:

1) it is prohibited to construct new residential houses or rebuild existing buildings as residential houses;

2) it is prohibited to construct new residential buildings or rebuild existing buildings as non-residential buildings, except for the buildings of transport and communications institutions, non-residential buildings of farms;

3) it is prohibited to construct new sports and recreational structures or to rebuild existing buildings as sports and recreational structures;

4) it is prohibited to open educational institutions, to arrange playgrounds and recreational areas;

5) it is prohibited to organise public events;

6) it is prohibited to place filling stations, storage facilities of hazardous chemical substances and products, timber, flammable, highly flammable, and extremely flammable substances, products, and materials if a written agreement has not been entered into with the owner of the railway.

[22 June 2005; 19 May 2016]

Section 58.⁴ Restrictions in Protection Zones along Aboveground Heating Pipelines with the Diameter of 400 Millimetres and Above

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions are determined in protection zones along aboveground heating pipelines with the diameter of 400 millimetres and above:

1) it is prohibited to construct new residential houses or rebuild existing buildings as residential houses;

2) it is prohibited to construct new non-residential buildings or rebuild existing ones as non-residential buildings, except for the buildings of transport and communications institutions, non-residential buildings of farms, industrial production buildings;

3) it is prohibited to open educational institutions, to arrange playgrounds and recreational areas;

4) it is prohibited to organise public events;

5) it is prohibited to arrange public transport stops;

6) it is prohibited to place filling stations, storage facilities of hazardous chemical substances and products, timber, flammable, highly flammable, and extremely flammable substances, products, and materials if a written agreement has not been entered into with the owner of the aboveground heating pipelines.

[22 June 2005; 19 May 2016]

Section 58.⁵ Restrictions in Protection Zones around National Defence Objects

(1) Economic activity, any type of construction (including erection of temporary structures), change of the type of use of a territory in spatial planning documents, and also other activities are prohibited in the protection zones around national defence objects without coordination with the possessor of the national defence object. The Cabinet shall determine the restrictions for the activities in protection zones around national defence objects.

(1¹) The possessor of the national defence object shall be reimbursed for the expenses necessary to ensure the operation of the national defence object which have been incurred after the permit referred to in Paragraph one of this Section for the construction (including erection of temporary structures) has been granted. The amount of the expenses shall be determined and reimbursed in accordance with a written agreement.

(2) If an owner is alienating immovable property or a part thereof (including an undivided share) which is fully or partially located in the protection zone around a national defence object, the owner shall obtain consent from the Ministry of Defence for the alienation of the immovable property to a specific person in order to prevent a threat to national security or a potential threat to the national defence object.

(3) In order to obtain the consent referred to in Paragraph two of this Section, the owner of immovable property shall address the Ministry of Defence with the relevant submission. The submission shall include the title of the immovable property and the address of the immovable property object if applicable, the cadastre number and the person (given name, surname or name and personal identity number or registration number) to whom the immovable property is going to be alienated. If the owner alienates the immovable property without obtaining consent from the Ministry of Defence, the transaction shall be invalid and shall not be recorded in the Land Register.

(4) In the cases referred to in Paragraph two of this Section, a decision by the Ministry of Defence (an administrative act) shall be taken within a month from the day of receipt of the submission and shall be included in the State Unified Computerised Land Register using a specially provided for online solution not later than on the third day after taking the decision. If the Ministry of Defence has not taken a decision within the time period specified in this Section, the consent shall be considered granted after expiry of the term.

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 22 December 2021; 6 October 2022]

Section 59. Methodology for the Determination of Protections Zones

(1) The methodology for the determination of protection zones shall be determined by the Cabinet on the basis of the proposals of the relevant State authorities referred to in this Law.

(2) The methodology for the determination of protection zones shall include:

1) the requirements for the exploitation and safety of communications and objects;

2) the requirements for environmental and human protection;

3) the mechanism for the maintenance of protection zones and the control of the status thereof;

4) information on servitudes and restrictions related to the relevant objects, communications, and the protection zones thereof;

5) the procedures by which protection zones are installed and marked on site.

(3) The norms laid down in Paragraph two, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Section shall not be included in the methodology for the determination of protection zones if they are laid down in other laws and regulations.

[22 June 2005]

Section 60. Writing of Restrictions in the Land Register

(1) The restrictions on ownership rights if the protection zone is on a land parcel that is being owned shall be entered in the Land Register in accordance with the procedures laid down in law.

(2) [14 May 2009]

[22 June 2005; 14 May 2009]

Chapter VII
Maintenance of Protection Zones and Control of the Status Thereof

Section 61. Maintenance of Protection Zones

(1) Protection zones for the protection of the environment and natural resources and protection zones around graveyards and along State motor roads shall be maintained in order by the land owner or legal possessor at his or her own expense if it is not provided for otherwise in other laws and regulations.

(2) Protection zones of exploitation, safety, and sanitary (except for protection zones around graveyards and along State and local government motor roads and the railway right of way of the public-use railway infrastructure) shall be maintained in order by the relevant owner of the object or communications at his or her own expense if it is not provided for otherwise in other laws and regulations.

(3) The obligation to maintain the protection zones of exploitation, safety, and sanitary in order (except for protection zones around graveyards and along State and local government motor roads and the railway right of way of the public-use railway infrastructure) according to a mutual agreement may be delegated to the land owner or user.

(4) The procedures by which protection zones along the streets in cities, villages, and other populated areas shall be maintained shall be determined by the building regulations of rural territories and towns.

(5) In protection zones of overhead lines of electrical power networks outside the power line routes, in protection zones of overhead lines of electronic communications networks, and guy-wires of towers and antenna masts of radio communications lines, the branches or crowns of growing trees shall be cut in order to prevent falling of these trees or branches on the object, and only those trees shall be cut according to the methodology for the determination of the protection zone of the relevant object which may endanger the object. The trees which are located in protection zones of overhead lines of electrical power networks, overhead lines of electronic communications networks, and guy-wires of towers and antenna masts of radio communications lines and which are higher than the distance from the root collar of the tree until external wire of the overhead line, if at least one of the following conditions exists:

1) trees have permanently deviated from a vertical axis in the direction of overhead lines by more than 15 degrees;

2) trees have visible signs of decay;

3) the diameter of the trunk of a deciduous tree in the height of 1.3 metre above the root collar is less than 1/100 of the height of the tree;

4) trees next to the track of overhead lines of electrical power networks are growing in a non-felled forest zone the width of which is less than 30 metres;

5) deciduous trees have asymmetrical crown (the largest part of branches is growing in the direction of the line wires) or their root system has been mechanically damaged;

6) the distance of deciduous trees from the tips of branches until the external wire in overhead lines of electrical power networks the voltage of which does not exceed 1 kilovolt is less than four metres;

7) trees gnawed by beavers.

(6) In protection zones along motor roads and outer edges of the railway right of way, a mineralised anti-fire zone shall be established not less than 1.5 metres wide and it shall be renewed every year.

(7) Protection zones along motor roads and railways, around gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites, around hydrocarbon extraction points, pipelines for oil, oil products, hazardous chemical substances and products, tanks, storages, processing and reloading establishments shall be maintained in a fireproof state. The procedures for the maintenance shall be determined in the methodology for the determination of these protection zones.

(8) The railway right of way included in the protection zones shall be maintained in a fireproof state by the administrator of the public-use railway infrastructure.

(9) At the places where the protection zone of surface water bodies and the protection zone around amelioration structures and equipment are overlapping, it shall be allowed to remove the overgrowth, including to fell trees, when performing renovation or rebuilding works of the amelioration system.

(10) The trees in the power line route shall be felled by the owner or possessor of the object or his or her authorised person at the expense of the owner or possessor of the object or - upon mutual agreement in writing - a land owner or legal possessor.

(10¹) The following requirements are determined in protection zones outside the tracks of overhead power lines:

1) a land owner or legal possessor shall cultivate trees so as they are not potentially endangering the operation of the infrastructure. If, according to the data of the State Forest Register, the height of a forest stand exceeds the distance from the line axis until the edge of the route, the forest stand shall be regarded as potentially endangering the infrastructure and the forest owner or legal possessor has the right to fell the trees growing there;

2) according to the methodology for the determination of the protection zone of the relevant object, the owner or legal possessor of the object is entitled to fell only those trees which have not been felled by the land owner or legal possessor and which, in accordance with Paragraph five of this Section, are potentially endangering trees;

3) the owner, legal possessor of the object or his or her authorised person shall, a month before commencement of tree felling, send a written information thereon to the land owner or legal possessor and notify the State Forest Service on the commencement of tree felling in protection zones of the overhead lines of electrical power networks outside the power line routes;

4) a forest owner or legal possessor has an obligation, each year before commencement of tree felling, to notify the State Forest Service thereof if trees are felled by the forest owner or legal possessor;

5) a person - the owner, legal possessor of the object or his or her authorised person, a forest owner or legal possessor - who will perform the felling of trees in a specially protected nature territory or micro-reserve, except for the landscape protection and neutral zone of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, shall obtain a written permit of the Nature Conservation Agency for the planned activity;

6) the Nature Conservation Agency shall assess the felling of trees in accordance with the requirements of the laws and regulations regarding the protection and use of specially protected nature territories and micro-reserves.

(10²) If felling of trees is necessary in emergency situations or situations when the trees have fallen on the objects or are bowing down to such extent that they or their branches disturb the operation of the objects, tree felling may be started after provision of a verbal notification to the State Forest Service, the Nature Conservation Agency if the operation is to be performed in a specially protected nature territory, except for the landscape protection and neutral zone of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve. The owner or possessor of the object shall, within one week after felling of trees, inform the land owner or legal possessor thereof.

(11) The owner or possessor of the immovable property shall ensure access for the owner or possessor of the object to the object and its protection zone in order to ensure the maintenance of the protection zone and to perform the works necessary for the exploitation, repair, renovation, and rebuilding of the relevant object.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003; 22 June 2005; 14 May 2009; 14 May 2009; 18 April 2013; 19 May 2016]

Section 62. Maintenance of the Database of Protection Zones and Registration of Protection Zones in the State Immovable Property Cadastre Information System

[1 January 2014 / See Transitional Provisions]

Section 63. Installation and Marking on site of Protection Zones

If necessary, protection zones shall be marked on site using special signs provided for in the methodology for the determination of protection zones.

[21 February 2002]

Section 64. Control of the Status of Protection Zones

(1) Within their competence the control of the status of protection zones shall be performed by:

1) local governments;

2) the ministries under which jurisdiction they are and the authorities subordinate to or supervised by them;

3) the owner or user of the relevant object or communication.

(2) The procedures by which protection zones along the streets in cities, villages, and other populated areas shall be controlled shall be determined by the building regulations of rural territories and towns.

[21 February 2002]

Section 65. Liability for the Violation of this Law and Examination of Disputes

[18 June 2020]

Section 66. International Treaties and Agreements Regarding Protection Zones

[21 February 2002]

Chapter VII.¹
Administrative Offences in the Protection Zones for the Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources and Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.¹ Violation of the Provisions for the Movement about, Stopping and Standing of Motor Vehicles

For the violation of the provisions for the movement about, stopping, and standing of motor vehicles in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga coastal dune protection zone and beach, a warning or a fine from six to seventy units of fine shall be imposed.

[18 June 2020; 23 November 2023]

Section 66.² Violation of the Requirements and Restrictions Determined in the Protection Zones for the Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources

For the violation of the requirements and restrictions determined in the protection zones for the protection of the environment and natural resources, except for the violations referred to in Section 66.¹ of this Law, a fine from six to two hundred and eighty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person; a fine from fourteen to two hundred and eighty units of fine - on an official, but a fine from twenty-eight to five hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.³ Competence in the Administrative Offence Proceedings for Offences in the Protection Zones for the Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources

(1) The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 66.¹ of this Law shall be conducted by the State Environmental Service, State Police, municipal police, official of local government environmental control or local government environmental inspectorate.

(2) Until examination of the administrative offence case, the administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 66.¹ of this Law shall be conducted by the State Forest Service or Nature Conservation Agency. The administrative offence case shall be examined by the State Environmental Service.

(3) The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 66.² of this Law shall be conducted by the State Environmental Service.

(4) Until examination of the administrative offence case, the administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 66.² of this Law shall be conducted by the State Police, municipal police, State Forest Service or Nature Conservation Agency. The administrative offence case shall be examined by the State Environmental Service.

[18 June 2020]

Chapter VII.²
Administrative Offences in the Exploitation Protection Zones and Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.⁴ Violation of the Restrictions Determined in Protection Zones along Electronic Communications Networks

For the violation of the requirements and restrictions laid down in laws and regulations in protection zones along electronic communications networks, a fine from fourteen to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from two hundred and eighty to one thousand four hundred and twenty units of fine - on a legal person.

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.⁵ Violation of the Restrictions Determined in Protection Zones along Electrical Power Networks

(1) For the violation of the requirements and restrictions laid down in laws and regulations regarding the felling of trees in the protection zones along electrical power networks, especially in a specially protected nature territory or micro-reserve, a fine from six to two hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from fifty-six to four hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

(2) For the violation of the requirements and restrictions laid down in laws and regulations in protection zones along electric power networks, except for the offences referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, a fine from fourteen to eighty-six units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from twenty-eight to two hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.⁶ Violation of the Restrictions Determined in Protection Zones around Technical Aids to Navigation and Military Technical Means of Maritime Surveillance

For the violation of the requirements and restrictions laid down in laws and regulations in exploitation protection zones around technical aids to navigation and military technical means of maritime surveillance, a fine from fourteen to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from two hundred and eighty to one thousand four hundred and twenty units of fine - on a legal person.

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.⁷ Violation of the Restrictions Determined in Protection Zones around Gas Pipelines, Gas Supply Installations and Structures, Gas Warehouses and Storage Sites

For the violation of the requirements and restrictions laid down in laws and regulations in exploitation protection zones around gas pipelines, gas supply installations and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites, a fine from fourteen to four hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from twenty-eight to eight hundred units of fine - on a legal person.

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.⁸ Violation of the Restrictions Determined in Protection Zones around National Defence Objects

(1) For the violation of the requirements and restrictions laid down in laws and regulations in protection zones around national defence objects, a warning or a fine from six to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from fourteen to two hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

(2) For the performance of economic activities in protection zones around national defence objects without agreement thereupon with the Ministry of Defence, a fine from six to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from fourteen to two hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

(3) For the violation of the requirements and restrictions laid down in laws and regulations in the protection zones around national defence objects, a fine from fourteen to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on an official.

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.⁹ Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings for Offences in the Exploitation Protection Zones

(1) Until examination of the administrative offence case, the administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Sections 66.⁴ and 66.⁶ of this Law shall be conducted by the State Police or municipal police. The administrative offence case shall be heard by the administrative commission or sub-commission of the local government.

(2) The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 66.⁵, Paragraph one of this Law shall be conducted by the Nature Conservation Agency.

(3) Until examination of the administrative offence case, the administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 66.⁵, Paragraph one of this Law shall be conducted by the State Forest Service or municipal police. The administrative offence case shall be examined by the Nature Conservation Agency.

(4) Until examination of the administrative offence case, the administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Sections 66.⁵, Paragraph two, and 66.⁷ of this Law shall be conducted by the State Police, municipal police, official of local government environmental control or local government environmental inspectorate. The administrative offence case shall be heard by the administrative commission or sub-commission of the local government.

(5) Until examination of the administrative offence case, the administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 66.⁸ of this Law shall be conducted by the Military Police, State Police or municipal police. The administrative offence case shall be heard by the administrative commission or sub-commission of the local government.

[18 June 2020]

Chapter VII.³
Administrative Offences in the Safety Protection Zones and Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.¹⁰ Violation of the Restrictions Determined in Protection Zones around Dams

For the violation of the requirements and restrictions laid down in laws and regulations in protection zones around dams, a fine from six to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from fourteen to two hundred units of fine - on a legal person.

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.¹¹ Violation of the Restrictions Determined in Protection Zones around Oil and Oil Product Pipelines, Tanks and Storage Sites

For the violation of the requirements and restrictions laid down in laws and regulations in protection zones around oil and oil product pipelines, tanks and storage sites, a fine from fourteen to eighty-six units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from twenty-eight to two hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

[18 June 2020]

Section 66.¹² Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings for Offences in the Safety Protection Zones

Until examination of the administrative offence case, the administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Sections 66.¹⁰ and 66.¹¹ of this Law shall be conducted by the State Police, municipal police, official of local government environmental control or local government environmental inspectorate. The administrative offence case shall be examined by the administrative commission or sub-commission of the local government.

[18 June 2020]

Chapter VIII
Final Provision

[19 June 2003]

Section 67. Approval of the Borders of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga Coastal Protection Zone and Villages Therein

The borders of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga protection zone and the borders of the villages therein shall be approved by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development on the basis of a proposal of the local government in the draft local government spatial plan.

[16 December 2010; 22 December 2021; 23 November 2023]

Transitional Provisions

1. With the coming into force of this Law, the following Cabinet regulations issued in accordance with Section 81 of the Constitution are repealed:

1) Regulation No. 324 On Protection Zones (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1996, No. 20);

2) Regulation No. 216 On Restriction of the Right of Use of Immovable Property with External Objects of Energy Supply Undertakings (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1995, No. 17);

3) Regulation No. 94, Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 216 of 18 July 1995 On Restriction of the Right of Use of Immovable Property with External Objects of Energy Supply Undertakings (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1996, No. 10);

4) Regulation No. 22, Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 216 of 18 July 1995 On Restriction of the Right of Use of Immovable Property with External Objects of Energy Supply Undertakings (Latvijas Vēstnesis, 1997, No. 22), is repealed.

2. The Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government Matters after coordination with the Ministry of Environment, based on the proposal to the local government spatial plan submitted by the local government, shall, by 1 July 2004, approve the borders of villages for those villages the borders of which have been determined in the local government spatial plan up to the coming into force of Section 67 of this Law.

[19 June 2003]

3. The Cabinet shall, by 31 July 2006, determine the procedures for the establishment, maintenance, and circulation of information of the database of protection zones.

[22 June 2005]

4. The information provided for in Section 33, Paragraph three of this Law may be submitted, by 31 December 2005, using co-ordinate systems which are different from Latvian Co-ordinate System LKS 92.

[22 June 2005]

5. The information provided for in Section 33, Paragraph three of this Law may be submitted, by 31 December 2006, in both digital and analogue (paper) form, using the co-ordinates of the Latvian Co-ordinate System LKS 92 and covering the expenditures which are necessary for the modification of the analogue information into digital form.

[22 June 2005]

6. If high-capacity incineration establishments of animal by-products not intended for human consumption or processing establishments thereof have received a construction permit until 15 July 2005, Sections 28 and 55 of this Law on determination of a protection zone around high-capacity incineration establishments of animal by-products not intended for human consumption or processing establishments thereof and the restrictions determined therein shall be applicable from 1 April 2010.

[22 June 2005]

7. The Cabinet shall, by 1 July 2006, issue the draft methodologies referred to in Section 16, Paragraph three, Section 17, Paragraph three, Section 19, Paragraph three, Section 22, Paragraph three, Section 30, Paragraph four, Section 32, Paragraph four, Section 32.¹, Paragraph three, Section 32.², Paragraph three, and Section 32.⁴, Paragraph three of this Law. Until the day of coming into force of these methodologies the following methodologies shall be applied, insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law:

1) Cabinet Regulation No. 415 of 20 October 1998, Methodology for the Determination of the Exploitation Protection Zones along Electrical Power Networks;

2) Cabinet Regulation No. 416 of 20 October 1998, Methodology for the Determination of the Exploitation Protection Zones along Heat Supply Networks;

3) Cabinet Regulation No. 198 of 26 May 1998, Regulations Regarding the Methodology for the Determination of the Exploitation Protection Zones along Water Supply and Sewerage Networks;

4) Cabinet Regulation No. 413 of 20 October 1998, Methodology for the Determination of the Exploitation Protection Zones around Gas Pipelines, Gas Warehouses and Storage Sites;

5) Cabinet Regulation No. 414 of 20 October 1998, Methodology for the Determination of the Safety Protection Zones around Oil and Oil Product Lines, Warehouses and Storage Sites;

6) Cabinet Regulation No. 94 of 25 February 2003, Methodology for the Determination of the Protection Zones in Water Aquatorium above and below Dams.

[22 June 2005]

8. The Cabinet shall, by 1 January 2006, issue the regulations referred to in Section 33 of this Law.

[22 June 2005]

9. The Cabinet shall, by 1 November 2005, issue the regulations referred to in Sections 23.¹ and 58.⁵ of this Law.

[22 June 2005]

10. City councils (rural territory councils) of local governments shall assess their spatial plans and, where necessary, not later than within 18 months after amendments to Sections 1, 7, and 37 of this Law have come into force, shall draw up and approve the necessary amendments to spatial plans in order to ensure the determination of protection zones of surface water bodies in accordance with that provided for in the law.

[6 March 2008]

11. The Cabinet shall, by 1 June 2008, issue the methodology for the determination of protection zones of surface water bodies. Until the day of coming into force of the new methodology, Cabinet Regulation No. 284 of 4 August 1998, Methodology for the Determination of Protection Zones of Water Bodies and Watercourses, are applied insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law.

[6 March 2008]

12. Amendments to Section 13, Paragraph two, Clause 2 of this Law shall come into force on 1 July 2009.

[14 May 2009]

13. Until the day of coming into force of the Cabinet regulations provided for in Section 33, Paragraph two of this Law, but not longer than until 1 December 2009, Cabinet Regulation No. 510 of 27 June 2006, Procedures for the Coordination of the Protection Zone for Electrical Power Networks, Heat Supply Networks, Water Supply and Sewerage Networks, Gas Pipelines, Gas Supply Installations and Structures, Gas Warehouses and Storage Sites, if the Protection Zone Covers the Land which is Joint Property of Apartment Owners of Multi-Residential Houses, shall be applied insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law.

[14 May 2009]

14. Section 33, Paragraphs seven, eight, nine, and ten of this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2014.

[14 May 2009]

15. Section 35, Paragraph nine of this Law, and also amendments to Section 45, Paragraph four and Section 46, Paragraph two (regarding the deletion of these Paragraphs) of this Law shall come into force on 1 July 2009. In accordance with the conditions of the first sentence of Section 35, Paragraph nine of this Law, the legal relationships established after 1 July 2009 shall be discussed.

[14 May 2009]

16. Until the day of coming into force of the Cabinet regulations provided for in Section 58.⁵ of this Law, but not longer than until 1 December 2009, Cabinet Regulation No. 509 of 27 June 2006, Regulations Regarding Restrictions for Presence in the Protection Zones around National Defence Objects, shall be applied insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law.

[14 May 2009]

17. Section 62 of this Law is repealed from 1 January 2014.

[14 May 2009]

18. Until the day of coming into force of the methodology provided for in Section 21, Paragraphs two and three of this Law, but not longer than until 30 June 2012, Cabinet Regulation No. 412 of 10 September 2002, Regulations Regarding the Methodology for the Determination of Exploitation Protection Zones of Technical Aids to Navigation, shall be applied insofar as it is not in contradiction with this Law.

[13 October 2011]

19. The new wording of Section 36, Paragraph four, Clause 2 and Section 39, Clause 4, Sub-clause "a", and also amendments to Section 37, Paragraph one, Clause 5, Sub-clause "h" of this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2013.

[13 October 2011]

20. The new wording of Section 13, Paragraph two, Clause 1 and amendments to Section 37, Paragraph one, Clause 1, Section 39, Clause 2, Sub-clause "a", Section 41, Clause 1, Section 50, Clause 1, Section 51, Clause 3, and Section 52, Paragraph two (in respect of the planning document of the spatial development - local plan) of this Law shall come into force concurrently with the Spatial Development Planning Law.

[13 October 2011]

21. The coordination obligation referred to in Section 43, Paragraph two of this Law shall apply to new installation and construction designs for which, by the day when amendment to Section 43 of this Law (regarding the supplementation thereof with Paragraph two) comes into force, installation design has not been accepted or a construction permit has not been issued.

[14 March 2013]

22. Valsts akciju sabiedrība "Elektroniskie sakari" [State joint-stock company Electronic Communications Office of Latvia] shall inform, by a publication in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis and on the website of the local government in the territory of which the fixed radio monitoring point is located, of the protection zone and restrictions of such fixed radio monitoring point within 30 days after coming into force of Section 14, Paragraphs 2.² and 2.³ of this Law, also indicating the cadastre numbers of such immovable properties to which the protection zone applies. Concurrently a notification shall be sent to the owner or legal possessor of the immovable property to whose immovable property the protection zone applies.

[14 March 2013]

23. The Cabinet shall, by 28 February 2014, issue the regulations referred to in Section 21, Paragraph four and in Section 50, Paragraph two of this Law.

[28 November 2013]

24. The restrictions determined in Section 50, Paragraph two of this Law shall not apply to the construction of such buildings and structures for which a construction permit has been issued until 28 February 2014.

[28 November 2013]

25. The amendment to Section 6, Paragraph four of this Law regarding the drawing up of a draft methodology for the inclusion, change, or exclusion of specially protected biotopes, the amendment to Section 33, Paragraph one regarding its supplementation with the second sentence, and also the amendment to the title and wording of Section 67 regarding the replacement of words shall come into force on 1 July 2022. Amendments to Section 33, Paragraph one and Section 67 of this Law shall not apply to local government spatial plans which have come into force until 30 June 2022.

[22 December 2021]

26. Until a new coastal dune protection zone is determined in the village spatial plans of the local government area in accordance with Section 33, Paragraph one, Section 67, and the methodology referred to in Section 6, Paragraph four of this Law regarding the inclusion, change, and exclusion of specially protected biotopes, such coastal dune protection zone shall be valid which is determined in the spatial plans in force.

[6 October 2022]

27. Within two months from the date of coming into force of the amendments to this Law which provide that safety protection zones shall not be determined around wind power stations, the Sate Land Service shall:

1) in the State Immovable Property Cadastre Information System, delete the encumbrances on immovable properties registered for the cadastre objects which determine the area of a safety protection zone around a wind power station;

2) in the Information System of Restricted Territories, delete the objects, i.e. wind power stations, and the restricted territories, i.e. safety protection zone territories around wind power stations.

[6 October 2022]

28. Until 31 December 2025, the local government shall evaluate the spatial plan in effect and shall determine in the spatial plan or local plan the pedestrian paths in cities and villages in accordance with that specified in the second sentence of Section 36, Paragraph five of this Law.

[23 November 2023]

Informative Reference to a Directive of the European Union

[19 May 2016]

The Law includes legal norms arising from Directive 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on safety of offshore oil and gas operations and amending Directive 2004/35/EC.

The Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 5 February 1997.

President G. Ulmanis

Rīga, 25 February 1997

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2024 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)