Summary of Rules That Can Lead to Fines or Are Not Permitted
| 🚫 Activity | 💰 Fine or Consequence | |
| Starting construction before municipal permit | Municipality can demolish your build | |
| Damaging trees outside guidelines | $150 per inch of diameter | |
| Tree cutting without permits | Illegal under Costa Rican law; can result in criminal charges | |
| Construction inactivity (90+ days) | Weekly fines may apply | |
| Erosion affecting neighbors/common space | $100/day fine | |
| Cutting trees ≥ 5" @ 1.2 meters without approval | Subject to fines | |
| Topping trees without approval | Subject to fines | |
| Using concrete septic tanks | Remove and restart | |
| Using white stone, vinyl/PVC siding, or white bricks | Redesign required | |
| Uplighting or non-cutoff exterior lighting | Removal, redesign required | |
| Selling or removing lumber without permit | Requires special legal process | |
| Unauthorized satellite dish placement or light pollution | Removal, redesign required | |
Written by neighbors in the community guide. Last edited May 18, 2025.Open in Notion