Landscape protection includes all measures for the protection and maintenance of a section of the earth's surface in which special protection of nature and landscape is required for the preservation, development or restoration of the performance and functional capacity of the natural balance or the regenerative capacity and sustainable usability of the natural assets, because of the diversity, uniqueness or beauty of the landscape or the special cultural-historical significance of the landscape or because of its special significance for recreation.

In order to protect landscapes, certain parts of nature and landscape can be designated as landscape protection areas by the upper nature conservation authority. In these landscape protection areas, in accordance with the legal ordinances to be issued, all actions are prohibited which change the character of the area, impair the landscape or the performance and functionality of the natural balance or run counter to the special purpose of protection.