Poland spatial planning changes impact agriculture and land use

New spatial planning regulations in Poland are creating challenges for various sectors. Municipalities have until August 31, 2026, to adopt general plans, which will replace previous land-use studies. Experts warn that failure to establish these plans could prevent municipalities from issuing new building condition decisions, potentially stalling investments.

In the agricultural sector, these new regulations may restrict the expansion of farms. While they do not ban cultivation, the new plans might limit development to the current footprint of existing buildings, potentially hindering the growth of modern agricultural businesses.

Additionally, allotment gardeners are facing increased costs as some municipalities have begun demanding maximum perpetual usufruct fees of 3 percent of land value. The Polish Allotment Garden Association has requested the government to cap these fees at 0.3 percent. The Ministry of Development and Technology has noted that such high-rate cases are rare.

Separately, regarding water management, farmers are being advised on legal methods for landscape water retention to combat drought, emphasizing the importance of soil organic matter and the legal status of drainage ditches.