Building in or within 50 m of forest: can you build on it in Portugal?
Yes, with conditions: new buildings in rustic land outside rural settlements, in or within 50 m of forest, need a 50 m fuel strip, a 50 m setback from the plot boundary for new construction, and fire-resistant design.
- Answer
- Allowed only if all conditions are met.
- Conditions
- Fuel management strip 50 m wide around the building; 50 m setback from the boundary for new construction; fire-resistance measures; mandatory opinion of the competent body.
- Who decides
- The council, with an opinion from the competent fire body.
- Council rules
- The municipal plan (PDM) sets the detail for your plot; ask the council for a planning certificate (certidão) and the plan maps.
- Legal basis
- Decreto-Lei 82/2021, article 61, as amended by Decreto-Lei 56/2023
- Sources
- files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2021/10/19900/0000200047.pdf
files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2023/07/13600/0001300021.pdf - Checked
- 2026-11-05
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