The 1994 constitutional reform establishing environmental protection as an individual right with universal standing. Every other conservation law derives from this provision.
La reforma constitucional de 1994 que establece la protección ambiental como derecho individual con legitimación universal. Toda ley de conservación deriva de esta disposición.
99 documents in this topic.
Res. 06425-2026 Sala Constitucional2026 · Sala Constitucional
Deber municipal de recuperar parque público invadido: omisión prolongada viola derecho a ambiente sano
The Constitutional Chamber granted an amparo action against the Municipality of Vázquez de Coronado for failing to comprehensively and definitively resolve the illegal invasion of a public park in Urbanización Sinaí, a problem known since 2017. Despite some administrative actions, the Chamber held that the municipality's prolonged omission to address the…
Res. 01161-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Desafectación de parques municipales y donación al MEP sin compensación
The Constitutional Chamber dismissed a constitutional challenge against Law No. 10118, which declassifies two municipal properties designated as parks in Curridabat and authorizes their donation to the Ministry of Public Education to consolidate the José María Zeledón Brenes School. The claimant, the mayor of Curridabat, alleged violation of municipal…
Res. 02056-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Inundaciones en Candelaria de Naranjo por mal manejo de aguas pluviales
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo filed by a resident of Candelaria de Naranjo, who denounces constant flooding in his community since 2018 due to improper stormwater and wastewater management. The petitioner alleges inaction by the Municipality of Naranjo, the Ministry of Health, and the National Road Council (CONAVI). The Chamber finds that,…
Res. 03553-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Ampliación de plazo para emitir nueva normativa del Plan GAM 2013-2030 tras declaratoria de inconstitucionalidad
The Constitutional Chamber addressed a request from the Minister of Housing and Human Settlements and Executive President of INVU to extend the deadline set in Judgment No. 2020-023743, which declared Executive Decree No. 38334-PLAN-MINAE-MIVAH-MOPT-S-MAG of March 10, 2014 (GAM 2013-2030 Plan) unconstitutional for violating the principle of singular…
Res. 05299-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Falta de solución definitiva a denuncia por riesgo de gas GLP
The Constitutional Chamber examines an amparo action against the Ministry of Health for allegedly failing to respond and resolve a complaint regarding non-compliance with a sanitary order that suspended the storage and sale of LPG gas in a supermarket. The original complaint, filed in May 2024, warned of an imminent risk of explosion or leak for neighbors.…
Res. 06957-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Municipalidad debe recolectar residuos en zona alta de Tilarán
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo filed by residents of Tilarán against the Municipality of Tilarán for failing to collect ordinary solid waste in the communities of Monte Los Olivos, San Bosco, Las Nubes, and surrounding neighborhoods in the highlands of the canton. The municipality argued that since May 2024 it had provided collection of…
Res. 03649-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
INCOFER debe eliminar aguas residuales de asentamiento en derecho de vía férrea
The Constitutional Chamber partially granted an amparo action against the Costa Rican Railway Institute (INCOFER) and the Municipality of Paraíso. The petitioner denounced inadequate disposal of wastewater from an informal settlement located on the railway right-of-way in Paraíso de Cartago, and the failure to respond to information requests about sidewalk…
Res. 07950-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Omisión municipal ante denuncia ambiental en parque comunitario
The Constitutional Chamber ruled on an amparo filed by a resident against the Municipality of San José for failing to address environmental complaints regarding a park in Colonia López Mateos, San Sebastián. Since April and December 2024, the petitioner reported noise disturbances, drug sales, homelessness, and disruption of peace affecting her right to a…
Res. 09525-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Amparo por manejo de lixiviados y lavado de camiones recolectores en Alajuelita
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo action filed by a resident and substitute councilor of Alajuelita against the Municipality of that canton. The petitioner alleged that since 2023, at a municipal yard shared by three departments, garbage collection trucks are washed without proper environmental measures, causing wastewater and leachate to…
Res. 09424-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Basureros en carretera de circunvalación no violan derecho a ambiente sano
The petitioner filed an amparo action against the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), the Municipality of San José, and the Ministry of Health, alleging violation of her right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment due to trash accumulation along the Circunvalación highway, from Hatillo to San Sebastián. She claimed no institution…
Res. 09098-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Municipalidad de Buenos Aires debe investigar y cesar contaminación sónica de bar
The Constitutional Chamber partially granted the amparo remedy filed by neighbors against the Municipality of Buenos Aires and the Ministry of Health regarding noise pollution from the Caliburguer bar and restaurant. The Chamber found that the municipality failed in its duty to monitor the establishment, despite being aware of complaints about excessive…
Res. 11975-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Contaminación sónica por bar y omisión municipal en resolver denuncia
The petitioner filed an amparo action against the Municipality of Cartago, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Public Security, alleging that the Bar-Restaurant La Casona de Mau generates noise pollution affecting his family's health and peace, and that the authorities have failed to resolve the problem despite multiple complaints. The Chamber…
Res. 16342-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Derecho de petición del diputado sobre contaminación del Estero de Puntarenas
The Constitutional Chamber reviews an amparo filed by a deputy against the Municipality of Puntarenas. The petitioner had requested detailed information about municipal actions regarding contamination of the Puntarenas Estuary by wastewater discharges from the Municipal Market, including immediate measures, health permits, fines, and application of the…
Res. 02108-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Amparo por contaminación sónica rechazado por cumplimiento de límites reglamentarios
An elderly woman filed an amparo action against the Health Area of Desamparados for failing to properly address her complaint about noise pollution from commercial exhaust fans next to her home. She claimed that 24-hour noise, especially at night, caused vibrations, sleep disruption, and health deterioration. The Constitutional Chamber verified that the…
Res. 17901-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Omisión administrativa en zona de protección del río Barucito — Amparo parcialmente con lugar
The Constitutional Chamber examined an amparo filed by a citizen against the Municipality of Pérez Zeledón and the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) for the unauthorized construction of tourist infrastructure (platforms and ramps) within the protection zone of the Barucito River and an unnamed stream. The petitioner alleged violations of the right…
Res. 09530-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Derecho al ambiente sano frente a inundaciones y falta de mantenimiento de la Quebrada Chagüite
The Constitutional Chamber denies an amparo action filed by a resident against ICE and the Ministry of Health, alleging that stormwater discharges from ICE's Barranca facility in Puntarenas and lack of maintenance of Chagüite Creek cause flooding and health impacts on nearby communities. A RECOPE diesel spill is also reported. The Chamber finds…
Res. 19583-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Coordinación municipal frente a inundaciones en la microcuenca de la Quebrada Los Negritos
The Constitutional Chamber orders the Municipalities of Montes de Oca and San José to, within one year, articulate and define a definitive solution to the flooding problem affecting Barrio Dent and Barrio Escalante, and to carry out all necessary works for that purpose. Additionally, they must implement preventive and corrective maintenance plans for the…
Res. 22252-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Coordinación SENASA-MINSA en contaminación sónica por ladridos de perros y derecho a la salud de menor vulnerable
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo filed by a resident of San Juan de La Unión who claims that constant noise from several dogs in a neighboring house seriously affects the health of his minor son — who suffers from progressive cerebellar atrophy, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder — and the rest of his family, without the authorities having…
Res. 18816-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
No se acredita afectación ambiental por recolección de residuos en Escuela Sinaí
The Constitutional Chamber examined an amparo action filed by students of Sinaí School in Pérez Zeledón, alleging that the Municipality of Pérez Zeledón and the Road Safety Council (COSEVI) violated their fundamental rights. The students claimed that a perimeter fence installed by COSEVI as part of the 'Safe Pedestrian Mobility' project caused problems…
Res. 23174-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Traslado de estudiantes sordos por condiciones inadecuadas de aula improvisada
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed an amparo action filed by the mother of six deaf students at the Mario Quirós Sasso Vocational Technical High School in Tres Ríos, who had various complex diagnoses. The petitioner claimed the students were receiving classes in a storage room lacking windows, natural ventilation, sufficient lighting, or emergency exits,…
Res. 23506-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Tala de árboles en riesgo por razones técnicas en Sabanilla de Montes de Oca
The Constitutional Chamber decided an amparo action brought by neighbors of the Málaga and Emanuel residential complexes in Sabanilla, Montes de Oca, who alleged that the Municipality of Montes de Oca illegally authorized the felling of three large trees on an adjacent private property, lacking legal competence and without ordering recovery or compensation…
Res. 23963-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Sala Constitucional ordena corrección definitiva de contaminación por abandono del Relleno Sanitario Los Pinos en Cartago
The Constitutional Chamber granted an amparo claim against the Municipality of Cartago and the Cartago Health Authority due to the lack of maintenance and abandonment of the Los Pinos Landfill, which generated serious environmental and public health risks. Although the Municipality argued that responsibility lay with the private companies with which it had…
Res. 24083-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Omisión municipal en la recolección de basura en Upala
The Constitutional Chamber grants an amparo action against the Municipality of Upala for failing to provide garbage collection service at the petitioner's home. Despite the petitioner's request in March 2025, the Municipality excluded his property from coverage, arguing it was outside the service area and that neighboring residents did not wish to pay. The…
Res. 23112-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Botadero clandestino en San Ramón y derecho a la salud
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo filed by residents of San Ramón against the Municipality of San Ramón and the Ministry of Health regarding a clandestine dump generating odors, rats, and cockroaches, endangering public health. The petitioners reported the issue in September 2024 but received no timely response. The Chamber finds that although the…
Res. 23202-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Alcantarillado obstruido y deber municipal de atender servicios locales
The Constitutional Chamber reviews an amparo action filed by a resident of Alajuelita against the Municipality of Alajuelita for failing to clean and repair a clogged sewer, which caused a proliferation of mosquitoes and larvae, endangering the public health of the community, including elderly residents and children. The municipality reported that the…
Res. 23234-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Amparo ambiental por taller clandestino — Municipalidad de Goicoechea
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo action filed by a resident of the Ipis residential area, who alleges that a clandestine workshop was installed next to her home in 2016 and was granted an irregular municipal license. The petitioner previously obtained a contentious‑administrative ruling ordering the municipality to resolve a review appeal. The…
Res. 24842-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Aumento de cupos en Corcovado sin fundamento técnico-científico
The Constitutional Chamber granted an amparo action against SINAC for modifying the reservation policies of Corcovado National Park via resolution SINAC-ACOSA-D-R-0048-2023, increasing daily entry and overnight caps without underpinning the change with a scientific methodology. The majority found that, although the administration invoked a "visitor flow…
Res. 24898-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Derecho a comedor seguro y ambiente sano en centro educativo
The Constitutional Chamber grants an amparo action filed on behalf of the students of the Ricardo Castro Beer Professional Technical School in Orotina, finding that the conditions of the school cafeteria violate the fundamental rights to health, a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, and education. The court verifies that since 2021 the Ministry…
Res. 26579-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Parque San Antonio en abandono y riesgos sanitarios
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo appeal against the Municipality of Desamparados regarding the abandonment of San Antonio Park, which featured overgrown grass, homeless individuals, and health risks such as water accumulation and pests. The appellant argued that the municipality failed to maintain the park following the expiration of a contract…
Res. 26513-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Municipalidad debe resolver problema de aguas pluviales que afecta vivienda y salud de vecinos
The Constitutional Chamber grants an amparo action filed by a resident of Loma Larga, Cartago, against the Municipality of Cartago for failing to definitively resolve a stormwater problem affecting his home and that of other neighbors. The petitioner argued that a previous municipal intervention redirected water flow onto his property, causing flooding,…
Res. 26586-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Amparo por contaminación sónica y omisión del Ministerio de Salud
The Constitutional Chamber granted an amparo filed by residents of Talamanca against the Ministry of Health for failing to resolve complaints of noise pollution, lights, and cameras directed at their home since 2022. The Chamber reiterated its case law that noise pollution violates the rights to health, a healthy environment, and privacy, emphasizing the…
Res. 23995-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Derecho al agua ante suspensión por deudas municipales
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo appeal filed by residents of the Paraíso canton against the Municipality of Paraíso and the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (ICAA) over the threat of drinking water service suspension. The conflict arises because the ICAA seeks to charge the municipality substantial retroactive sums since 2017 for…
Res. 30070-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Chatarrera contigua a centro educativo genera contaminación e inacción estatal
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo filed by representatives of a language academy against the Ministry of Health and the Municipality of Atenas, regarding a neighboring scrapyard that generated excessive noise, toxic odors, public road obstruction, scrap accumulation, and burning of polluting materials. Through photographic evidence, the Chamber…
Res. 30906-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Coordinación interinstitucional para ejecutar orden sanitaria de inmueble inhabitable
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo filed by the daughter of an elderly person whose living conditions were affected by leaks, sewage discharges and the dilapidated state of an adjacent property owned by IMAS, allegedly used as an irregular boarding house. The petitioner claimed omissions by the Municipality of Santa Ana, the Ministry of Health and…
Res. 31964-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Omisión inconstitucional por alcantarillado deficiente y aguas estancadas en ruta nacional 118
The Costa Rican Constitutional Chamber addressed a writ of amparo filed by a resident of El Poró, Grecia, against the Ministry of Health and CONAVI (later joined by AyA) due to their failure to resolve a sewer overflow on National Route 118, causing stagnant water, foul odors, dengue risks, respiratory issues, and traffic hazards. The petitioner claimed…
Res. 31140-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Filtración de aguas negras y derecho a la salud
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo appeal filed by a citizen who reported a sewage leak from the neighboring property, affecting his home with moisture, foul odors, and health issues. The appellant claimed inaction by the Ministry of Health, to which he filed a sanitary complaint in June 2025 without receiving a timely response. The Chamber…
Res. 33901-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Inacción municipal ante invasión de zona de protección del río Purral
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed an amparo action against the Municipality of Goicoechea for failing to address illegal constructions in the Río Purral protection zone, first reported in 2022. Although the municipality verified the buildings in October 2022, it delayed requesting SINAC’s inspection by two years; the inspection occurred in February 2025…
Res. 34789-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Contaminación por alcantarillado sanitario en Puntarenas y obligación estatal de saneamiento
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo against the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (ICAA) for pollution from the Puntarenas sanitary sewer, which discharges untreated wastewater into the estuary, harming public health and the environment. The Chamber found that ICAA breached its constitutional duty to protect the right to health (art. 21)…
Res. 33001-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Orden sanitaria e inspección de aguas residuales en precario
The Constitutional Chamber reviews an amparo action against the Ministry of Health over inadequate disposal of wastewater from neighboring houses that seeped onto the petitioner's property, causing foul odors, flies, mosquitoes, and disease. The Ministry of Health conducted inspections confirming the contamination, but uncertainty about land ownership…
Res. 35753-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Municipalidad debe resolver botadero ilegal de basura en vía pública pese a falta de presupuesto
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo brought by a resident of Alajuelita against the Municipality of Alajuelita, alleging that for months an illegal and disproportionate garbage dump had persisted on the public road in front of her house, despite multiple complaints. The petitioner at least requested the installation of a prohibition sign. The…
Res. 92528-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Acción de inconstitucionalidad contra el régimen de excepción del Proyecto Turístico Golfo de Papagayo
The Constitutional Chamber admits for study an unconstitutionality action filed by a lawyer in defense of the diffuse interest in a healthy environment. Multiple norms that create an exceptional regime for the Papagayo Gulf Tourism Project, administered by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), are challenged. The petitioner argues that these norms…
Res. 30562-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Amparo contra tajo Hacienda San Rafael y puente cantonal en La Unión
The Constitutional Chamber denies an amparo action filed by a neighbor of La Unión against several public authorities, alleging a violation of the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment due to the operation of the Hacienda San Rafael quarry. The plaintiff complained of landslide risk on the Chiquito River, overweight on the cantonal…
Res. 39396-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Recolección de basura en comunidad rural El Salto Viejo
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed an amparo filed by residents of El Salto Viejo, a community on the border between Liberia and Bagaces. The claimants argued that poor road conditions prevented access to public transport, garbage collection, and emergency vehicles. The Chamber dismissed the road infrastructure claim after confirming that both…
Res. 41105-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Inundaciones en márgenes de quebrada por omisión municipal
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo action filed by residents of Santa Cecilia de Paquera, who reported that recurrent flooding from the overflow of the Santa Cecilia creek and the saturation of the storm drainage system endangered their lives, homes, and property, and that local authorities had failed to take concrete action to resolve the problem.…
Res. 25588-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Adhesión al Protocolo de Londres 1996 sobre contaminación del mar
The Constitutional Chamber reviews a mandatory legislative consultation regarding the bill for Costa Rica's accession to the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Protocol). The Chamber finds no procedural flaws in the legislative process. On the merits, it analyzes the…
Res. 41927-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Derecho a ambiente sano en centro educativo por inundaciones de cancha colindante
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo filed by the president of the School Board of Escuela El Campo in San Carlos against the Municipality of San Carlos and the Integral Development Association of Rancho Grande and Betel. The petitioner argued that the roofed sports field—multipurpose hall—administered by the Association under a municipal concession…
Res. 41946-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Omisión en verificación de emisiones para importación de vehículos usados
The Constitutional Chamber upholds an amparo action filed by the Asociación Preserve Planet against the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) and the Road Safety Council (COSEVI). The claim concerns the failure to implement the requirement set forth in Article 8, paragraph 7 of Executive Decree No. 39724-MOPT-MINAE-S, in force since 2016, which…
Res. 41905-2025 Sala Constitucional2025 · Sala Constitucional
Infraestructura en áreas de protección: obras turísticas sin sustento técnico
The Constitutional Chamber examines the constitutionality of Articles 33 bis and 33 ter of the Forestry Law, added by Law 10210 of 2022, which authorize civil and tourism infrastructure in protection areas. Unanimously, the first paragraph of Article 33 bis (works necessary for public services) is declared constitutional. By majority, the second paragraph…
Res. 01101-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Malos olores de planta de tratamiento y deber municipal de garantizar un ambiente sano
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo action filed by a resident of Paraíso de Cartago against the Ministry of Health and the Municipality of Paraíso, concerning foul odors from the Llanos de Santa Lucía wastewater treatment plant. The petitioner claimed that, despite complaints filed since March 2023, the authorities had failed to take effective…
Res. 01229-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Omisión reglamentaria de la Ley N°10152 sobre la cuenca del Río Sarapiquí
The Constitutional Chamber reviews an amparo action against the Presidency and the Ministry of Environment and Energy for failing to issue the regulation of Law No. 10152, 'Law for the Sustainable Development of the Sarapiquí River Basin and Protection of its Main Channel,' published on April 28, 2022. The law establishes an environmental safeguard along…
Res. 02523-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Sala Constitucional ordena a Municipalidad y Ministerio de Salud resolver vertido de aguas residuales en acequia
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo action filed by residents of San Juan de San Ramón district who reported the improper discharge of wastewater—soapy and black—into a ditch along Route 702, causing foul odors and health risks. The Municipality of San Ramón and the Ministry of Health conducted inspections confirming the contamination, but after…
Res. 07847-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Inundaciones crónicas en urbanización Palo Verde por deficiente alcantarillado pluvial
The Constitutional Chamber granted an amparo filed by residents of the Palo Verde urbanization in Pitahaya, Cartago, who reported recurrent flooding for nearly 20 years due to a deficient stormwater drainage system. The Court found that both the Municipality of Cartago and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport were aware of the problem and failed to…
Res. 08722-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Omisión ministerial en medición de contaminación sónica en Turrialba
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo filed by Turrialba neighbors against the Bar and Restaurant La Garza, alleging noise pollution and behaviors that disturb their right to health, privacy and a healthy environment. The claimants reported late-night disturbances, live music, brawls and indecent acts in front of their homes, as well as the failure of…
Res. 08751-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Contaminación por aguas negras en Quebrada Chiquita de Moravia y omisión en reparación de muro
The Constitutional Chamber partially grants an amparo filed by a resident of Moravia against the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (ICAA), the Ministry of Health, and the Municipality of Moravia. The petitioner claimed that works under the metropolitan sanitary sewer project diverted raw sewage into the Quebrada Chiquita, causing contamination,…
Res. 10056-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Acceso a playa pública, derecho de petición y tala de árboles en zona marítimo terrestre
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed an amparo filed by members of an association against the Paquera District Municipal Council. The claimants argued that: (i) they were arbitrarily denied renewal of a use permit in the maritime terrestrial zone of Playa La Leona; (ii) they requested information about the new permit holder and the denial agreement but…
Res. 10951-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Omisión de humedales en certificación de PNE en Talamanca y principio precautorio
The Constitutional Chamber resolved an amparo action against the La Amistad Caribe Conservation Area (ACLAC) for failing to update the certification of State Natural Heritage (PNE) in the maritime-terrestrial zone of the Talamanca canton. The petitioner argued that the 2017 certification omitted wetlands identified in a 2021 technical report, violating the…
Res. 10848-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Suspensión del servicio de recolección de residuos por conflicto presupuestario entre concejo distrital y municipalidad
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo action against the Colorado District Municipal Council and the Municipality of Abangares for the suspension of waste collection services in the district. The petitioner, a company generating approximately 600 kg of solid waste weekly, claimed the district council announced the cessation of service as of October…
Res. 11793-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Planta de tratamiento en desuso lesiona derecho a ambiente sano
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo petition filed by a resident of Residencial La Giralda (Desamparados, Alajuela) against the Municipality of Alajuela. The petitioner claimed that the residential wastewater treatment plant, transferred to the municipality in 1999, is in a state of complete disrepair, causing foul odors and pollution, and that…
Res. 17126-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Muro de protección fluvial y deber municipal de prevenir inundaciones
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed an amparo filed by a resident of the Villa Fuente neighborhood in San Juan de Dios de Desamparados, who alleged that the Municipality of Desamparados had failed to build a flood wall to prevent recurrent flooding caused by the Cañas River overflowing its banks since 2022, affecting over 150 people, including elderly,…
Res. 19700-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Municipalidad debe reparar tubería de aguas negras por vulnerar derecho a ambiente sano
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo filed by an elderly person with a son with Down syndrome against the Municipality of Desamparados and the Ministry of Health. The petitioner alleges that since 2022 a sewage pipe adjacent to her home has caused foul odors, landslides, and mosquito breeding grounds, without resolution. After inspections, the…
Res. 21414-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Desalojo y reubicación en zona inhabitable de La Mandarina, Atenas
The Constitutional Chamber granted the amparo petition filed by a resident of La Mandarina, Atenas de Alajuela, for violation of her rights to health, physical integrity, and a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. The area was declared uninhabitable after a landslide in 2007 that caused several deaths. Although the Ministry of Health and the…
Res. 21942-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Falta de plantas de tratamiento y alcantarillado en Quepos, Golfito y Garabito
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo against the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA), the Ministry of Finance, and the municipalities of Golfito, Quepos, Garabito, and Palmares, for the lack of wastewater treatment plants and sanitary sewerage in those localities, despite their inclusion in the Priority Zones Sanitation Program…
Res. 19561-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Derecho de acceso al agua potable en Hatillo 8
The Constitutional Chamber partially grants an amparo action filed by residents of Hatillo 8 against the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (ICAA) and the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (ARESEP) for the suspension of drinking water service since March 14, 2024. The Chamber concludes that, although the specific mid-March interruptions…
Res. 19602-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Derecho al agua potable y crisis de desabastecimiento en Alajuelita
The Constitutional Chamber granted an amparo petition against the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (ICAA) for violating the fundamental right to potable water of residents in San Josecito de Alajuelita. The petitioner reported repeated non-compliance with supply schedules, prolonged cuts, and lack of response to his reports. The Chamber…
Res. 23336-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Municipio debe regular tránsito de vehículos pesados por ruido y deterioro vial
The Constitutional Court granted an amparo filed by a resident of Veracruz neighborhood in Higuito, Desamparados, who complained that constant heavy vehicle traffic from Shaan Construction Company caused road damage, excessive noise, and danger to neighbors, violating their rights to intimacy, health, and a healthy environment. Despite formally requesting…
Res. 28068-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Demora en denuncias por contaminación sónica de un bar
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo appeal filed by a resident of Barrio Santa Marta, Corralillo de Cartago, against the Ministry of Health and the Municipality of Cartago, for failing to timely address complaints of noise and environmental pollution from an adjacent bar. The petitioner alleged that since 2019 he had filed complaints about excessive…
Res. 37007-2024 Sala Constitucional2024 · Sala Constitucional
Cierre de la cancha Montserrat y derecho a la recreación
The Constitutional Chamber reviews an amparo filed by residents of Barrio El Carmen, Puntarenas, against the Municipality of Puntarenas for locking the gates of the Montserrat soccer field and granting its exclusive use to the Beach Soccer League (LIFUPLA). Despite a prior denial in the same matter (Decision No. 2023-004305), the Chamber changes its…
Res. 01062-2023 Sala Constitucional2023 · Sala Constitucional
Sala Constitucional ordena plan de acción conjunto a Municipalidad y Ministerio de Salud por contaminación de aguas y residuos
The Constitutional Chamber grants an amparo against the Municipality of Naranjo and the Ministry of Health for persistent environmental contamination on the petitioner's property caused by wastewater and solid waste from an adjacent informal settlement. Despite a prior Chamber order in 2007 and repeated complaints since 2000, authorities failed to take…
Res. 01129-2023 Sala Constitucional2023 · Sala Constitucional
Demora en resolver denuncia ambiental por aguas negras en precario
The Constitutional Chamber granted an amparo against the Municipality of Sarapiquí for disproportionate delay in resolving an environmental complaint. The petitioner, owner of a property in Horquetas de Sarapiquí, had filed a complaint on February 1, 2021, alleging that a group of people occupied an adjacent municipal road and built precarious structures…
Res. 31774-2023 Sala Constitucional2023 · Sala Constitucional
Orden de resolver disposición inadecuada de aguas residuales en Las Palmeras
The Constitutional Chamber granted an amparo filed by a resident of the Las Palmeras residential complex, Heredia, against the Ministry of Health. The petitioner had reported to the Heredia Health Area that 26 homes were improperly disposing of wastewater and rainwater, with illegal cross-connections between the sanitary and stormwater systems, endangering…
Res. 32311-2023 Sala Constitucional2023 · Sala Constitucional
Amparo ambiental por malos olores del relleno sanitario La Carpio
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo filed by a resident of Belén against the Ministry of Health, the Municipality of San José, and the Municipality of Belén, due to pollution from foul odors emanating from the Uruka Environmental Technology Park (La Carpio landfill) and from burning at clandestine dumps. The Chamber found that the Ministry of Health…
Res. 00507-2022 Sala Constitucional2022 · Sala Constitucional
Contaminación sónica por aires acondicionados de EBAIS
The Constitutional Chamber reviews an amparo filed against the CCSS and the Ministry of Health for failing to timely address a noise pollution complaint. The claimant, owner of a hotel adjacent to the Río Claro EBAIS in Golfito, reported in January 2021 that noise from the health center's air conditioning condenser units was driving away guests. Ministry…
Res. 02454-2022 Sala Constitucional2022 · Sala Constitucional
Solicitud de información sobre reciclaje en campo ferial
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed an amparo action against the Municipality of Heredia for failing to respond to a request that included both complaints about parking lot improvements at the Campo Ferial La Perla and a request for access to information on recycling programs implemented at that site. The petitioner alleged environmental pollution and a…
Res. 01358-2022 Sala Constitucional2022 · Sala Constitucional
Desechos de matadero en producción de abono orgánico no representan omisión estatal tutelable
The Constitutional Chamber rejects an amparo action filed by residents of Turrúcares, Alajuela, against various public authorities for alleged inaction regarding environmental pollution and nuisances caused by the transport and processing of slaughterhouse waste for organic fertilizer production. The claimants report unbearable odors, disturbance of peace,…
Res. 03203-2022 Sala Constitucional2022 · Sala Constitucional
Contaminación sónica por actividades en Casa Calamar
The Constitutional Chamber reviews an amparo action filed by a resident of Puntarenas against the Ministry of Health for its failure to effectively address repeated complaints since 2018 about noise pollution from the property 'Casa Calamar,' where parties with loud music are held late into the night. The complainant argues that the noise harms her health,…
Res. 03950-2022 Sala Constitucional2022 · Sala Constitucional
Coordinación interinstitucional para solucionar desbordamiento del río María Aguilar
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo action by the Condominio Mallorca representative in Curridabat regarding constant flooding from the María Aguilar River overflow, especially at the National Route 02 bridge and the Cipreses access bridge. The claimants accuse the Municipality of Curridabat of insufficient corrective actions and lack of prevention,…
Res. 05123-2022 Sala Constitucional2022 · Sala Constitucional
Municipalidad ordenada a resolver denuncia y reparar alcantarillado que causa deslizamientos
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo filed by the owner of a property in Puriscal, who claims that the replacement of a municipal culvert on a road adjacent to a creek caused landslides on his land, endangering his family. Despite multiple inspections and technical recommendations from the National Emergency Commission, MINAE, and the municipal…
Res. 13347-2017 Sala Constitucional2017 · Sala Constitucional
Suspensión de combustible a pesquero por pesca ilegal en refugio de vida silvestre
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed an amparo filed by the owner of the fishing vessel 'Monarca' against INCOPESCA after the agency temporarily suspended (for three months) the competitive-price fuel benefit. The suspension followed the vessel being caught conducting trawl fishing inside the Camaronal Wildlife Refuge, a protected area. The petitioner…
Res. 11545-2016 Sala Constitucional2016 · Sala Constitucional
Moratoria municipal para la producción de piña viola reserva de ley
The Constitutional Chamber annuls the five-year moratorium imposed by the Municipality of Los Chiles on granting permits for pineapple farms. The majority holds that the measure violates the principle of legal reserve, as local governments lack authority to prohibit a lawful economic activity through a simple municipal agreement. It emphasizes that…
Res. 18836-2014 Sala Constitucional2014 · Sala Constitucional
Desafectación zona fronteriza sur inconstitucional por falta de estudios técnicos
The Constitutional Chamber declared unconstitutional the Bill 'Declassification and Titling of the Border Zone between the Republic of Costa Rica and the Republic of Panama', legislative file 16657, for violating Article 50 of the Constitution and the principles of precaution, non-regression, objectivation, reasonableness and proportionality. The bill…
Res. 01594-2013 Sala Constitucional2013 · Sala Constitucional
Prohibición de minería metálica a cielo abierto no viola la Constitución
The Constitutional Chamber resolved a constitutional challenge brought by an association against several articles of the Mining Code, as amended by Law No. 8904 of 2010, which prohibit granting new permits or concessions for open-pit metal mining in Costa Rica and bar renewal or extension of existing ones. The Chamber held that the challenged provisions do…
Res. 18065-2006 Sala Constitucional2006 · Sala Constitucional
Construcción en zona de riesgo sin permisos vulnera derecho a la vida y ambiente sano
The Constitutional Chamber granted an amparo action against the Bosques de Santa Rosa housing project in Limón, developed by JS & AT Home Depot with financing from the Costa Rica‑Canada Foundation. It found that construction began without municipal building permits or environmental viability, and that the site is crossed by an active geological fault and…
Res. 04947-2002 Sala Constitucional2002 · Sala Constitucional
Derecho al ambiente sano, salud y quema de cañales — principio de prudencia y coordinación interinstitucional
The Constitutional Chamber hears an amparo filed by residents of Paso Tempisque, Palmira, Los Jocotes, and the Filadelfia de Carrillo area against the Ministry of Health, MAG, MINAE, and Central Azucarera Tempisque S.A. (CATSA). The claimants argue that foul odors from a sedimentation lagoon and the burning of 5,000 hectares of sugarcane by CATSA violate…
Res. 01220-2002 Sala Constitucional2002 · Sala Constitucional
Exclusión genérica de EIA para proyectos urbanísticos bajo plan regulador es inconstitucional
The Constitutional Chamber struck down, on unconstitutionality grounds, the amendment to the SETENA Procedures Regulation (Executive Decree 26,228‑MINAE) that exempted from the obligation to submit a Preliminary Environmental Assessment Form (FEAP) —and thus from any environmental impact assessment— urban projects and housing developments located in…
Res. 06240-1993 Sala Constitucional1993 · Sala Constitucional
Derecho a un ambiente sano y obligatoriedad de estudios de impacto ambiental previos a concesiones de hidrocarburos
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed the Hydrocarbons Bill (Legislative File No. 9573) following optional legislative consultations. Multiple provisions were declared unconstitutional, including those granting the General Directorate of Hydrocarbons —a mere deconcentrated body of MIRENEM— near-full legal personality, encroaching on the powers of the…
Res. 03705-1993 Sala Constitucional1993 · Sala Constitucional
Definición del derecho al ambiente y cierre de botadero en quebrada La Caraña
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo action filed by a minor against the Municipality of Santa Ana and the Ministry of Health for using the La Uruca creek as a garbage dump, polluting the environment and affecting the community's health. In its ruling, the Chamber developed an extensive constitutional framework for the right to a healthy environment,…