Tree felling permit - What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Hello everyone,

after having received answers and help to some questions here in the forum, I still have something to clarify.

Our potential plot of land, which we would very much like to buy, is designated as building land with a positive preliminary building permit; on the plot there are 2 deciduous trees which, according to the regulations of our city, may not be felled without a tree felling permit. The trees are positioned so unfavorably on the 1000 sqm that we could only build the house with an attached double garage in the rear part of the plot, meaning a 20m long driveway and dividing the plot in two. If we want to build it close to the street, which is practical to have more garden space and also privacy through our own house, these 2 trees absolutely have to go.

Getting a written permit before the purchase is not possible as this is only possible with a submitted building application, and we are only at that point once we are owners of the plot.

Since I like to imagine many things in my head, buying the plot + realtor fees + notary fees + property transfer tax + architect fees, plus a ban on felling and therefore not being able to place the desired house in the desired location, would be a nightmare scenario.

A replacement planting is not a problem for us... does anyone know possible penalties for felling without a permit in case of doubt?

Does anyone have experience with such applications for new builds? The city does not specify a defined building area; can they really require me to build at the rear part of the plot or to build a narrow house without a garage at the front?

Maybe I’m just overthinking it, I won’t get 100% certainty in advance anyway.

The normal case is that you are allowed to fell trees in such a case under the condition of replacement plantings. Depending on how stately these trees are, it may well be that you have to create a small forest (e.g. 10 trees) as a replacement planting. Whereas these trees may also need to have a considerable trunk circumference already, and that can certainly be expensive.

The usual case is that you are allowed to fell in such a case under the condition of replacement plantings. Depending on how substantial these trees are, it may well be that you have to establish a small forest (e.g., 10 trees) as a replacement planting. Whereas these trees might also already need to have a considerable trunk circumference, and that can certainly become expensive.

Ok thanks, they are 2 deciduous trees with about 30cm diameter.. so you think the main problem is more the financial aspect rather than it not being approved at all? The former is not nice, but we could live with that.

How about a visit to the office and a nice chat? Unless it's a big city, they are usually very citizen-friendly and will give you some guidance. Of course, without obligation, but they are the same ones to whom you will later submit your [Fällantrag] ;)

How about a visit to the office and a nice chat? Unless it's a big city, they are usually very citizen-friendly and will give you some guidance. Of course non-binding, but they are the same people you later submit your application for maturity to ;)

100,000 inhabitants, I will make the trip tomorrow, at least then I will have a feeling of which direction it is going, even if the decision in the end is a special case.

I was also very worried because a very large pasture had to give way here. The information from the city was that new construction projects (they also bring money into the coffers) are generally not obstructed as long as the explanation is coherent. However, they could not give me a binding answer in advance. That’s how it was – hassle-free approval!