Forest Preservation District

The headwaters forest preservation area forms a lush urban landscape, gives moisture and peace of mind to citizens' lives, and has good forests in suburban areas that contribute to conservation, which has a water retention and flood control function. It is system to plan preservation of forest land by having landowner cooperate and appointing about.
We designate approximately 280ha (as of April 1, 2024) in the city.

• Ordinance to create and nurture a green environment (Ordinance No. 47 of June 1973, recently revised June 25, 2010 Ordinance No. 33) (outside site)
• Yokohama City Headwaters Forest Preservation Project Implementation Guidelines (Recently revised April 1, 2024) (PDF: 237KB)

It applies to cohesive forest areas covered with canopy of 1,000 square meters or more in the urbanization control area.
(The site of the building and the land necessary to fulfill its maintenance or utility are not eligible. (Summary: "Appendix 1") (PDF: 61KB)）
Land owner who owns green tract of land meeting standard, and wants to receive designation, please submit "forest forest preservation district designation application (agreement) book of headwaters" (PDF: 243KB) to the mayor.
City performs examination based on application and, if it meets standard, please have you conclude forest preservation contract of headwaters for more than 10 years between landowner and city (the mayor).
Cancellation in the middle of the contract is limited to public land use or when an unexpected situation such as inheritance occurs to the contractor.

We are recruiting from time to time.

Information on the "Headwater Forest Preservation District" (PDF: 482KB)

Headwater Forest Conservation Area Designation Application (Agreement) Form (PDF: 243KB)

1. The property tax on the designated land will be reduced.
2. If renewed at the end of the contract, a lump-sum payment will be issued.

However, there is no lump-sum payment for land designated as conservation area or protected forest.

The management of the contracted land should be managed so that the land owner himself maintains the current state of the forest land.

If it is designated as a headwater forest, the following development activities will not be possible.

• Installation of buildings and structures
• Development of residential land, land reclamation, debris collection, and other changes in land characteristics
• Cutting wood and bamboo and other actions that affect the conservation of the forested land

However, you may be able to perform normal forest management such as pruning and thinning.
In the event of a violation, the contract and designation will be canceled based on the outline and a penalty will be paid.

Contractors in the headwater forest preservation area will need to consult with the city when they intend to perform the following actions, or when the following reasons occur.

1. When taking disaster prevention measures necessary for land preservation and management
2. When transferring ownership with the succession of the headwater forest preservation contract
3. When an unexpected situation such as inheritance occurs, making it difficult to continue the contract.
4. When conducting a public business or installing a work related to a public interest project, it is difficult to fulfill its utility unless it is installed in the forest preservation area of the headwaters

Green Environment Bureau Park and Green Area Division Park Green Space Division (in charge of green conservation): 045-671-3534