Cutting trees, permit
What is it?
You do not need a felling permit to cut down or firmly prune a tree unless it is:
- A tree located on a plot where a monument is located;
- a tree listed on the Trees Foundation's monumental tree list;
- A tree placed on the municipal list of valuable trees.
To obtain an environmental permit to cut down a monumental or valuable tree, you must be able to prove that there are compelling reasons. One reason may be that experts have proven that there is a risk of damage or accidents due to the tree.
How does it work?
Environmental permit applications
With your application, please provide the following information:
- A description of the tree (size and type)
- The location of the tree (address and legible situation sketch)
- the reason and/or
- possibly the written permission of the owner of the tree
How long does it take?
You will receive the decision on an ordinary environmental permit within 8 weeks. This time may be extended once by 6 weeks.
Does your permit application pose a high risk to the environment? Then the extensive procedure applies. The decision period is then 6 months. This may be extended by 6 weeks.
Additional information
Objection and appeal
The environmental permit involves 2 procedures: an ordinary (the regular) and an extended procedure.
In the ordinary procedure, you first object to the agency that rejected your application. Do this within 6 weeks. Do you then disagree with the decision on the objection? Then appeal to the district court. You may also appeal to the Administrative Law Division of the Council of State.
In the extended procedure, first give your opinion on the draft decision (view). Do this within 6 weeks. Then you can appeal to the court. Even then you may still appeal to the Administrative Law Division of the Council of State.
Is there no response within the 6-week appeal period? Then the permit is final.
Which trees will be cut down?
To better inform you about planned felling of trees, you can consult GeoVisia. This is a digital program with an overview of all trees in our municipality. Here you can also see which trees are being cut and the reason for it.
This video further explains how we go about cutting down trees.
You can access GeoVisia through this link.