Spreading and Incorporating
Soil Material
Our soil is the foundation of life and a habitat for plants, animals, and people. It is vital to the water and nutrient cycles of the natural ecosystem and a defining element of nature and the landscape. The problem: Our soil is a finite resource and difficult to replenish. Soil is damaged by construction projects, soil erosion, pollution, and changes in soil structure. Soils must be protected from these harmful changes.
Therefore, different legal regulations apply depending on whether you want to place material on the ground or incorporate it into the ground. Depending on the project, approval from the local soil protection authority or even a building permit may be required.
To submit a report to the Lower Soil Protection Authority, please use the notification form titled “Measures for Adding or Applying Soil Material.” Send the completed form to bodenschutz@landkreis-fulda.de.
Important: The notification must be submitted no later than four weeks before the start of the program.
Soil Amending on Farmland to Increase Yields
Soil amendments to farmland intended to increase crop yields are permitted without a building permit. Approval is granted via the application form.
- The soil value (also known as the arable land or pasture value) of the area to which the soil is applied must be higher than that of the area from which the soil originates.
- Soil may not be applied to areas with a soil value index below 20 or above 60.
- Only topsoil may be used.
- The soil must comply with the precautionary limits set forth in the Federal Soil Protection Ordinance (BBodSchV, Annex 1, Tables 1 and 2 of the BBodSchV).
- As a general rule, the layer of soil may be up to 20 cm thick.
Installation in the ground on grassy areas to facilitate management
"Land leveling" means adding material to the ground to fill in depressions or low spots. If the area is larger than 500 square meters, you will need a building permit.
- Only underlayment may be used.
- The soil must comply with the precautionary limits set forth in the Federal Soil Protection Ordinance (BBodSchV, Annex 1, Tables 1 and 2 of the BBodSchV).
- Have the site surveyed so that you can accurately calculate the amount of soil needed. The survey must show what the site looks like now and what it will look like after the work is completed.
- Before installation, the top layer must be properly removed and stored. After the bottom layer has been installed, the top layer must be reapplied.
Interior and Exterior Floor Filling
Landfill operations up to 2 meters in height do not require a building permit in the following cases:
- Indoors, up to 30 square meters
- Outdoor areas up to 500 square meters
Please note:
- If your project involves less than 600 m³ of material, you are not required to report it to the local soil protection authority.
- The soil must comply with the precautionary limits set forth in the Federal Soil Protection Ordinance (BBodSchV, Annex 1, Tables 1 and 2 of the BBodSchV).
Mineral-Based Substitute Construction Materials (MEB) in Engineering Structures
The Substitute Building Materials Ordinance governs the use of mineral substitute building materials in engineering structures. The Higher Waste Authority of the Regional Council is responsible for implementing and monitoring this ordinance. If installation methods or materials are not covered by the ordinance, the Lower Soil Protection Authority determines whether the installation is harmless to the soil.