This article provides an overview of the most important changes and what they mean for property developers. The overview is based on an article about legislative changes published on regjeringen.no.
Background to the legislative amendments
The development of densification and transformation areas is often complex and resource-intensive. On June 16, 2025, the Norwegian Parliament adopted several amendments to the Planning and Building Act and the Cadastre Act. The legislative amendments are a response to the need for more appropriate and predictable rules for the planning and implementation of such projects. The amendments comprise 48 sections of the Planning and Building Act and eight sections of the Cadastre Act.
New instruments for cooperation and participation
The municipality shall actively facilitate cooperation on planning proposals with affected landowners, leaseholders, developers, public authorities, residents, and businesses. Affected public bodies shall contribute to effective coordination processes. Input in the cooperation process shall be documented and processed in such a way that verification is possible. The municipality shall account for the facilitation of the plan’s implementation in the plan description or the case submission to the municipal council.
Area development strategy
The municipality will be given legal authority to establish an area development strategy in development areas. This strategy will replace the guiding plan for public spaces (VPOR) that many municipalities have used as an overall planning tool, without this being a type of plan anchored in the Planning and Building Act. In some cases, the strategy may also replace area regulation.
New system for landowner financing of infrastructure – new consideration zones
The municipality is granted legal authority to introduce consideration zones for landowner financing of infrastructure, with a duration of up to 30 years. The municipality can advance infrastructure costs and require these to be covered by developers during the course of the development. The scheme may apply to both public and private infrastructure. The scheme is voluntary for the municipality to implement. The municipality may still choose to use development agreements as a means of financing infrastructure, but it will not be possible to combine the new financing scheme with the use of development agreements for the same measures. Private individuals may apply for consent to expropriation for the establishment of infrastructure in consideration zones subject to landowner financing requirements. Rules are also being introduced on the use of consideration zones that regulate landowner-financed relocation of infrastructure in order to free up land for development purposes.
Changes to the rules on development agreements
The rules on development agreements have been amended to clarify current law and ensure a better balance between the municipality’s need for infrastructure financing and the developer’s need for predictability and balanced development agreements.
New provisions on property structuring
The Cadastre Act introduces a new case type, “cadastral reform,” which allows developers to apply for a comprehensive change to the property structure in transformation areas. This will simplify the process compared to multiple individual changes. The provision will only come into force once the necessary system adjustments are in place.
Other changes
- Clarification that the proposer has the same right to demand submission to the municipal council when the municipal administration stops a private plan proposal to amend the zoning plan as in the case of a proposal for a new plan.
- The municipality may charge a fee for archaeological investigations in connection with area regulation.
- Licensing procedures for solar power plants can no longer be adopted directly as a state plan.
- Minor changes to existing wind power plants may be carried out without the need for zoning regulations, provided that a license has been granted before July 1, 2023.
- The municipality may lay down provisions regarding plot size in the land use section of the municipal plan.
Entry into force and transitional provisions
The amendments entered into force on July 1, 2025, with the exception of Section 15a of the Cadastre Act concerning cadastral reform. Until July 1, 2026, municipalities may choose whether to enter into development agreements under the new or previous rules.
Button: Information about amendments to the Planning and Building Act and the Cadastre Act from July 1, 2025
Our expertise – advice for property developers
Changes to the Planning and Building Act and the Land Registry Act present new opportunities and challenges for property developers. We have extensive experience with planning processes, development agreements, property structuring, and financing arrangements for infrastructure development.
Please contact us for advice and assistance regarding the new rules and how they may affect your projects
