Environmental Permit for Environmentally Harmful Activities
If your business involves activities that affect the environment, such as producing noise, storing hazardous substances, or discharging into soil or water, you may need an environmental permit for environmentally harmful activities (milieubelastende activiteit). This applies when starting a new business or changing or expanding existing operations.
Use the Vergunningcheck on the Omgevingsloket to find out if you need a notification or a full permit. A notification must be submitted at least 4 weeks before starting and is free of charge. A permit application is processed within 8 weeks (or 26 weeks for the extended procedure) and requires payment of fees. The rules are set out in the Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving and your local omgevingsplan.
Requirements
- Permit check: Check via the Omgevingsloket whether a notification or permit is required
- Decree on Activities: Consult the Bal and Omgevingsplan for applicable rules
- Notification or permit: Depending on the activity, a notification (free, 4 weeks before start) or permit (fees, 8-26 weeks processing time) is required
- DigiD or eHerkenning: Required for digital application via Omgevingsloket
Procedure
- Notification: Submit via Omgevingsloket at least 4 weeks before start; municipality decides within 4 weeks; no costs
- Permit: Apply via Omgevingsloket; processing by Environmental Service within 8 weeks (regular procedure) or 26 weeks (extended procedure); fees according to municipal fees regulation
- Conditions: Upon granting, you receive the permit with conditions
- Objection and appeal: Objections to a permit decision can be made within 6 weeks; not against notification
Restrictions
- Notification start period: The activity may not start earlier than 4 weeks after the notification
- No objection to notification: A notification is an announcement; no appeal can be filed against it
- Environmental conditions: Permits contain conditions that must be followed to limit environmental damage