The Danish government proposes strict new measures against allotment garden owners who break the rules. Ministers want to give municipalities stronger tools to address illegal activities in these community garden spaces.
Allotment gardens represent a cherished Danish tradition. These small summer houses with garden plots provide city dwellers with green space access. Owners must follow strict regulations limiting house sizes and prohibiting year-round residence.
Urban and Rural Affairs Minister Morten Dahlin and Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard announced the new initiative. Municipalities would gain authority to issue substantial fines to violators. The ministers stated that fines must be significant enough to deter illegal behavior.
The proposal targets several common violations. Some owners build houses larger than permitted sizes. Others live in their garden houses throughout the year without paying full property taxes. Both practices violate Danish allotment garden regulations.
Authorities would gain power to confiscate gardens entirely in severe cases. This applies when owners use the properties for criminal activities. Storing drugs or weapons would trigger confiscation. Using gardens as locations for physical punishment within criminal circles would also result in property seizure.
The crackdown follows media investigations revealing widespread violations. One Odense garden association contained houses measuring 300 and 369 square meters. These sizes far exceed legal limits. Half the houses in that association violated size restrictions.
Some owners have lived permanently in their garden houses for decades. They avoid paying full property taxes by maintaining the fiction of seasonal use. This deprives municipalities of legitimate tax revenue.
Criminal use of allotment gardens has drawn police attention. Last spring, police caught a Hells Angels member retrieving a suitcase containing ten kilograms of cocaine from a Ballerup garden. He received a seven-year prison sentence after confessing.
In another case, police found nine kilograms of amphetamines in an Odense garden. A 67-year-old pensioner received twelve years for smuggling eighty-nine kilograms of amphetamines. These incidents demonstrate how criminals exploit garden properties.
The new rules would require garden associations to disclose ownership information. This would help authorities identify and penalize rule-breakers. Currently, unclear ownership sometimes hinders enforcement efforts.
This crackdown reflects broader concerns about property misuse in Denmark. The government aims to preserve the traditional character of allotment gardens while addressing criminal exploitation. The proposal now moves through the legislative process for parliamentary consideration.
Danish allotment gardens date back to the early twentieth century. They originally provided working-class families with access to fresh air and homegrown food. Today, they remain popular despite urban density increases. Proper regulation ensures they continue serving their intended community purpose.