Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Apply for a special permit or exemption under nature conservation law

You want to carry out an action that harms protected wild animals, plants or nature and landscapes. You may need a special permit or exemption from nature conservation prohibitions.

Detailed description

The Federal Nature Conservation Act regulates the treatment of wild animals and wild plants as well as the protection of special areas, such as nature reserves and landscape protection areas.



You may not, without a reasonable reason, impair animal species or plant species and their habitats - often legally protected biotopes - as well as trees that are protected in Hamburg by the Tree Protection Ordinance through your actions.



If you want to carry out an action, an intervention, a plan or a project (for example a construction measure, a renovation or the commissioning of a system), you must inform the responsible authority. The responsible authority will then examine how likely it is that you could violate nature conservation bans during your measure.



You violate nature conservation law bans if your measure results in impacts on the protected assets (e.g. animals, plants, biotopes, trees, protected areas and natural monuments) that lead to a significant increase in the intensity of the impact on nature and the landscape compared to the previous state. The responsible authority must then clarify whether statutory exemptions apply or whether you need an exemption or exemption from the respective prohibitions in order to be able to carry out your project.



The keeping and breeding of invasive alien species is also prohibited and may require a permit.

 

Information

Prerequisites

No

Documents required

You must submit reports and site plans as a rule. However, the documents you need to submit vary depending on the type and extent of your intended intervention. It is therefore advisable that you coordinate this with the responsible authority at an early stage.

Please note

Examples of projects that may require special approval or an exemption:

  • Destruction or removal of nests (for example on facades or in attics as part of thermal insulation measures)
  • Elimination of special habitat structures (e.g. striking cave trees, hedges, rest areas, rare special biotopes)
  • You would like to build something or carry out renovations (roof, facade, etc.).
  • You would like to build, cut down, redesign something or hold an event or other activity in a landscape protection area or nature reserve.
  • You want to cut down a tree

Permission to fell a tree can already be applied for online in Hamburg.

Deadlines

No. However, you must have any necessary special permits or exemptions before you start carrying out your project.

Procedure

  • You submit an application
  • The responsible authority will investigate the matter and inform you of the decision in writing

Processing time

The processing time depends on the type and scope of the individual case. However, you must expect a processing time of several months.

Fees

The costs vary depending on the type and scope of the permit or exemption requested

Legal remedies

contradiction

Legal basis

§ 14 Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bnatschg_2009/__14.html


§15 Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bnatschg_2009/__15.html


§§ 23 ff Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bnatschg_2009/__23.html


§ 67 Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bnatschg_2009/__67.html


Hamburg Law on the Implementation of the Federal Nature Conservation Act


www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-BNatSchGAGHArahmen/part/X

Address and contact information

Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Nature Conservation

We have a limited number of customer parking spaces. To reserve a parking space, please contact our receptionist by e-mail at zugang@bsw.hamburg.de or by telephone on +49 40 428 40 - 50 50. Our working hours are: Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m , Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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Keywords: Species protection bumblebee bees to cut a tree Elimination of nests Resettlement Tree felling permit Hornets wasps

Last updated: 06.02.2026