Applying for an environment and planning permit for building work (environmental requirements)

If you are going to build or remodel, your structure must fit within its surroundings. Therefore, you may need to apply for a permit.

Omschrijving

If you want to build or remodel, your plans must fit within the environment in which you are going to build.

This is why you need to apply for an environment and planning permit before building. There are also exceptions. For example, you do not need to apply for an environment and planning permit if it involves:

  • maintenance work on a building where the outside of the structure does not change
  • minor alterations to the rear of a building, such as:
    • standard dormer window with a flat roof
    • standard skylight
    • window frame
  • standard solar panels
  • blinds or shutters (as long as they do not affect the appearance of the facade)
  • sports or playground equipment (no higher than 2.5 metres) in your garden
  • a site hut or scaffolding
  • small structures for utilities, such as an electricity box or transformer house

Are you going to renovate a monument? If so, you usually need a permit.

If you do not need to apply for a permit, you usually still need to submit a notification. This way, the municipality knows when you will start building.

Keep in mind that you may also need other permits if you are going to build.

Kosten

For the permit, you pay a few per cent of the building cost. The municipality sets the percentage every year.

If you apply for an environmental permit, you usually pay not only the cost of the environmental permit. Often, the municipality also charges planning costs. These are costs for preparing and supervising the construction of facilities. For example, green areas, new roads or filling in ditches.

Voorwaarden

When building or remodelling, you must in any case comply with the rules in the municipality's environment plan on the impact of your structure on its surroundings. Think about noise requirements, for example.

Aanpak

This is how to apply for an environment and planning permit:

  • Go to the Omgevingsloket (the Environment and Planning portal).
  • Do the permit check. You will see whether you need a permit. You can apply for the permit immediately.
  • Log in.
  • Provide all important information on what you are going to build and how it will look (e.g. construction drawing, sketches of the existing situation and the future situation).

You indicate whether you have consulted with stakeholders. These are those on whom your plans have a direct or indirect impact, for example local residents. Also let us know how this was done. And what you have done with the outcome.

Could your building plans affect nature? Please indicate this in your permit application.

Termijn

The municipality will decide on your permit application within 8 weeks. The municipality may extend this period once. You may not start building until the permit has been granted.

A notification must be submitted at least 4 weeks before you start building.

Bezwaar en beroep

If you disagree with the municipality's decision, then you may file an objection. When doing so, you should indicate why you disagree with the decision. Other people who also have a stake in the decision may file an objection. Objections must be filed within 6 weeks.

If you or someone else objected to the municipality's decision, the municipality will, in that case, issue a new decision. If you then disagree with that decision you may ask the court to assess whether the municipality has made a good decision. This is called 'appealing'. You need to do this within 6 weeks. You may only appeal if you have already filed an objection.

No response within the six-week appeal period? Then the permit is final.

Objections and appeals are not possible in the case of a notification.

Meer informatie

Information on the Environment and Planning Portal

Information on decrees in your surroundings (in Dutch)

Information on planning costs at IPLO.nl (in Dutch)

AVG

Your municipality will need your personal data if you submit an application or a report. The municipality treats your personal data with the utmost care. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) outlines how the municipality should treat your personal data.

The main rules are:

  • The municipality only requests the personal data for processing your application or report. The municipality does not request any other data.
  • The municipality only uses your data to process your application or report or for anything directly related to it.
  • The municipality does not keep your personal data any longer than necessary.
  • The municipality processes your data securely.
  • Only people who require your personal data for their job have access to this data.
  • Your personal data are only shared with other organisations if this is required by law.
  • If you request this, the municipality will inform you:
    • which personal data the municipality has about you
    • why we need this data
    • how your data is processed.
  • If your personal data is incorrect, you can ask the municipality to correct it.