Animal Keeping Exemption
An animal keeping exemption (dierenhouderontheffing) is an exemption required if you want to keep many animals at a location such as a petting farm or animal shelter. This exemption is required if the animal housing does not meet the legally required minimum distances to buildings where people reside.
The exemption is issued by the municipality based on the General Local Ordinance (Algemene Plaatselijke Verordening, APV). The purpose is to ensure that keeping animals does not cause nuisance or health risks to residents. Operators of petting farms, animal shelters, or individuals with many animals can apply for this exemption.
Requirements
- Number of animals: The exemption is required when exceeding certain numbers of farm animals
- Distance: Animal housing must be at a sufficient distance from homes, schools, and other buildings with people
- Nuisance: It must be demonstrated that the animals do not cause nuisance through noise, odor, or pollution
- Welfare: The animals must be kept according to legal welfare requirements
Procedure
- Application: Submit an exemption application to the municipality
- Assessment: The municipality assesses whether keeping animals is acceptable at the relevant location
- Conditions: Conditions regarding measures against nuisance may be attached to the exemption
- Decision: After assessment, the exemption is granted or refused