The Valga Municipal Council adopted the regulation "Rules on cleanliness and imposition of burdens" at its session on 24.09.2021, which establishes the requirements and burdens of cleanliness for users of properties in Valga Municipality. The purpose of the regulation, in conjunction with other legislation, is to ensure cleanliness and orderliness on the territory of the municipality.
Instructions for tree felling
The municipal council has adopted Valga municipality felling rate, which regulates tree felling in densely populated areas. The densely populated areas of Valga municipality are the villages of Laatre, Tsirguliina and Õru and the city of Valga. There are no such areas in the Karula and Taheva regions, where the Forestry Act applies.
The new regime will harmonise and modernise the principles for the management of tall vegetation, taking into account the situation following the merger of municipalities. The municipality wishes to protect the existing tall vegetation and to avoid unauthorised felling. The first priority in the maintenance of shrub trees is safety. In order to avoid risks to human health and property, it is important to apply the correct maintenance practices based on tree biology. To this end, owners can seek specialist advice where necessary, as can residents in sparsely populated areas. According to the Nature Conservation Act, individual trees in densely populated areas, with the exception of growing forest within the meaning of the Forestry Act and fruit trees, may be felled only with the permission of the local authority. The new procedure stipulates that a permit is required for felling if the diameter of the tree at stump height (15 cm above the ground) is at least 15 cm and the tree has clearly visible or identifiable trunk(s) and crown(s).
How to get a tree felling permit?
For felling or maintenance pruning of a tree growing in a densely populated area, a formal application must be submitted to the municipality. application. The permit is issued by the landscaping specialist of the Valga Municipality Municipal Maintenance Service. The owner of the property where the tree is growing or an authorised person can apply for a permit to cut down a tree. In the case of authorisation, a copy of the authorisation must be attached to the application. The application must contain the applicant's details, the legal basis for the application, a precise description of the tree location, a justification and a guarantee that the work will be carried out in compliance with safety requirements and that the site will be cleaned up after the work. A list of possible supporting documents shall be attached to the application. In the course of processing the application, the municipal maintenance service checks the accuracy of the information provided and the feasibility of the felling or maintenance cut, requests additional documents and explanations if necessary, and calls in experts to make a decision.
No authorisation is needed:
- for removing dried twigs and water damage
- if the felling of the tree has been established by a detailed plan.
In exceptional cases (for example, during a storm), no authorisation is needed to cut down trees that have become dangerous. You only need to inform the municipal maintenance service. If it is not possible to do so, the tree must be notified in writing to the municipal maintenance service within one working day of felling, stating the reasons for the exceptional felling.
Authorisation procedure for felling and pruning of trees
Applications can be written on the spot, sent by post or electronically.
The official dealing with this area:
