Revision of the City Planning Act (enforced on April 1, 2022)

Last Updated December 3, 2021

In order to respond to frequent and intensifying natural disasters, we will implement measures to create safe towns, such as controlling development in disaster hazard areas.
For the purpose of taking action, the City Planning Act and the Ordinance for Enforcement of the City Planning Act have been revised and will be enforced from April 1, 2022.

[Main Amendments] Prohibition of development in disaster-hazardous areas (excluding self-residential homes)

Applicable Articles

Article 33, Paragraph 1, Item 8 of the City Planning Act

Overview

In Article 33, Paragraph 1, Item 8 of the City Planning Act, "areas that are not appropriate for conducting development activities ("Disaster danger areas (*) ")" ")"
In principle, it is stipulated that it should not be included in the development area.
Until now, the scope of regulation under this regulation is to the construction of "residential housing other than self" and "business facilities other than yourself".
It was regarded as a development activity.
With this amendment of the law, development activities aimed at "facilities used for own business" will be newly added to the scope of regulation.
From the date of enforcement of the revised law (April 1, 2022), in addition to the existing regulations, development activities for the purpose of "facilities to be used for their own business."
As a general rule, disaster-risk areas (*) cannot be included in the development area.

Disaster risk areas, etc. (*)

Disaster danger areas refer to each area listed in the following table.

Areas included in disaster danger areas and designated status within Yokohama city limits
Name	Basising laws and regulations	Designated situation in Yokohama city area (As of December 1, 2021)
Disaster danger zone	Building Standards Law Article 39, paragraph (1)	No designated area.
Landslide Prevention Area	Landslide Prevention Law Article 3, paragraph 1	No designated area.
Earth and sand disaster special Warning area	Landslide disasters in earth and sand disaster warning areas Law Concerning the Promotion of Measures Article 9, paragraph (1)	There is a designated area. About the latest designation situation, please refer to Kanagawa earth and sand disaster information You can check the portal (outside site) or Kanagawa Prefecture Please contact the Yokohama Kawasaki Flood Control Office.
Prevention of inundation damage Area	Act on Countermeasures against Flood Damage to Specified Urban Rivers Article 56, paragraph (1)	No designated area.
Collapse of steep slopes Dangerous area	Prevention of disasters caused by collapse of steep slopes Law Concerning Article 3, paragraph 1	There is a designated area. About the latest designation situation, please refer to Kanagawa earth and sand disaster information You can check the portal (outside site) or Kanagawa Prefecture Please contact the Yokohama Kawasaki Flood Control Office.

Yokohama City's response to the revision of the law

Yokohama City is considering a review of the criteria for development permits related to this law revision during FY2021.
Details will be announced on the website and at the counter.