Notification within the water resource conservation zones

If you are conducting land transactions in areas designated as Water Resource Conservation Zones, you must notify the relevant government body three months in advance.

What is a Water Resource Conservation Zone?

Designated by the Governor of Hokkaido based on the recommendation of a mayor, a Water Resource Conservation Zone is the location of a water source(s) used communally for the purposes of daily life, agriculture, and/or industry, as well as the area(s) around the water source(s). A Water Resource Conservation Zone is designated such in order to preserve water resources, particularly in situations where suitable land use is recognized as necessary for its preservation, taking into consideration the land’s ownership and use.

・A list of Water Resource Conservation Zones can be found here.

Prior Notification Procedure

① Those who own land within a Water Resource Conservation Zone who wish to transfer the land title (‘the transferor’) are required to submit a notification of land title transfer to the (General) Subprefectural Bureau* with jurisdiction over said land at least three months prior to signing the transfer agreement.
(*Land located within Wakkanai City, Hokuto City, Kutchan Town, Mukawa Town, Kamifurano Town, Shimokawa Town, and Esashi Town (Soya) should instead be submitted to the city or town’s city hall or government office.)
There is no criterion for land size, so a notification must be made regardless of how small the land planned for transfer is.
Notice must be given for all planned transfers, even when the receiver of the land title (‘the transferee’) has not been finalised.
② After receiving the notification, the Hokkaido Government (or the municipality with jurisdiction) will discuss with the relevant municipalities and the Hokkaido Water Resource Conservation Council, and then provide advice to the transferor.
③ The transferor will inform the transferee of the advice.

Land Transactions Requiring Notification

● Purchases and sales ● Assignments of co-owned property ● Exchanges ● Sales/assignments of superficies and leaseholds ● Sales of assets ● Assignments of rights to make contingent contracts/right of repurchase ● Fiduciary transfers of ownership ● Assignments of trust beneficiary rights ● Accord and satisfaction ● Assignments of positions ● Investments in kind ● Contracts made for third parties

 ※ Notification is also necessary in the reservation stage of these transactions.

Notification Process

Applicant: Transferors of titles to land located within a Water Resource Conservation Zone

            (In case of purchase and sale, the seller must submit the notification)

Deadline: Three months prior to signing the contract

*Notification is allowed before the contract date has been finalized and without the intended transferee, as long as the transferor intends to transfer the land title.

Where to submit: The Hokkaido (General) Subprefectural Bureau(s) which hold jurisdiction over the land or the local municipal government that has been delegated administrative authority.

Information required:

　　(1) Name and address of the contract parties (e.g. seller/buyer)
　　(2) Type of contract
　　(3) Planned date for the contract to be signed
　　(4) Location, category, area, and actual use of the land
　　(5) Intended use of land after transfer

≪Number of Copies To Be Submitted≫
 The original and two copies of the advance notification are required.
≪Documents To Be Attached≫
 ・Topographic maps with a scale of 1:50,000 or larger that clarify the location of the land
   (e.g. road maps, etc.)
 ・Maps with a scale of 1:5,000 or larger that clarify the land and the surrounding conditions
   (e.g. residential maps, etc.)
 ・Plans that clarify the shape of the land
   (e.g. parcel maps, etc.)

Notification Form

Notification Form (PDF 104KB)

Example of Notification Form (PDF 109KB)

List of Relevant Laws and Regulations

Those who own land within a Water Resource Conservation Zone, etc.  are required to carry out the necessary procedures based on the laws concerning land use, including the laws listed in this table.

The Background to the Establishment of the Hokkaido Ordinance on Water Resource Conservation

■ Principle of the Ordinance
Abundant, pristine water is one of Hokkaido’s indispensable assets which has been passed down to us. In order to ensure the sustainable use of water for future generations, prefectural and municipal governments, enterprises, and local residents must realize their individual responsibilities and work together to conserve local water resources.
■ Outline of the Ordinance
○ Specifies the responsibilities of the Hokkaido Government, enterprises,
land owners and local residents for water resource conservation
○ Specifies the integration and enforcement of measures related to water resource conservation

※ To ensure appropriate land use in and around water resources,
the Hokkaido Government formulated the Basic Guidelines Regarding
Water Resource Conservation Zones in May 2012. These guidelines explain
the fundamental policies on designating the Water Resource Conservation
Zones and summarize the information land owners should be aware of.

Contact and submission destination of notification form

For more details, please contact the General Subprefectural Bureau or Subprefectural Bureau that have jurisdiction over the location of the land or the municipality that has been delegated administrative authority.

　※　Please change the ★ in the email address below to @ (half-width).

＜municipality where administrative authority has been delegated＞
　If the land in the water resource conservation zone is located in Wakkanai City,
Hokuto City, Kutchan Town, Atsuma Town, Mukawa Town, Kamifurano Town,
Shimokawa Town, or Esashi Town（Soya）, it is necessary to submit a notification
to the relevant municipality.