The local government has the ability to prescribe rules on the extent of development in accordance with the Swedish Planning and Building Act. However, the local government has no authority to specifically impose requirements on green developments and buildings. An overall objective for the local governments is to comply with the national objectives set by the Swedish government. Therefore, the local governments should take into consideration the overall effects of their planning, one of which is the environmental effect. According to the National Board of Housing, there is an increased interest in planning the measures so that cycle paths, walkways and public transportation are given increased space in the urban development.

The Swedish government currently provides no rules on the extent of local development. The Swedish government may prescribe plans concerning regional development, but these plans have an overall perspective.