Construction near the boundary of an adjacent plot

Subject to the town plan, a building may not be located closer to land owned or controlled by another person than at a distance of half the height of the building, but not less than four metres. The distance may be less only if there is a specific reason or if the owner or holder of the adjacent plot gives permission.

Structures

For example, subsurface drains, frost barriers, gutters, foundations and parts of the outer wall must be placed on one’s own plot.
In exceptional cases or where the town plan or the approved block plan permits or requires construction close to the plot boundary, structures may have to be located on the side of the adjacent plot.
Structures crossing the plot boundary must be agreed with the owners of the adjacent plot.
In case of construction phase and post-construction maintenance activities on the side of the adjacent plot, a separate access easement should be agreed on.

Building elements

Bay windows, roofs, balconies and other similar building elements may extend beyond the plot boundary to the street area or beyond the boundary of the plot’s building area, within the limits permitted by the Espoo building ordinance.

Fire compartmentation

Construction near the plot boundary usually requires the implementation of fire compartment structures. Fire compartment requirements are examined in the projects on a case-by-case basis and a solution in accordance with the regulations is presented to the permit processor during preliminary consultation.

Additional clarifications to be attached to the building permit application

The information and supporting documents to be attached to the building permit application must be agreed with the permit processor during the preliminary consultation. When building near the plot boundary, the application may require, among other things, the following:

When building closer than half the height of a building or less than 4 m from the boundary of the adjacent plot, the plot boundaries must be indicated on all master drawings, including sectional and facade drawings.
The neighbour’s consent. The consent must be in writing and clearly state the subject matter of the consent and, if necessary, be accompanied by a drawing or map. Where appropriate, an easement agreement signed by both parties must be submitted.

Easements

A separate application must be submitted for the formation of easements. The easement application must be submitted in good time before the commissioning inspection (partial final inspection) is booked, as easements must be established before the new building is commissioned.
The creation of easements under easement agreements is applied for with a separate form. Building easements are formed by a building lawyer of the Environment and Building Control Department. Real estate easements (e.g. access easements) are formed in the Public Works Department’s City Survey Department.