Environmental permit application

What is it?

Businesses that have a heavy environmental impact need an environmental permit. You may need this if, for example, your business:

  • consumes a lot of energy
  • pollutes the air
  • noise pollution
  • odour nuisance

Some businesses do not have a permit and reporting requirement. These include offices, various healthcare facilities, general practices and preschools.

Sometimes you apply to the province for a permit or make a notification there. This usually involves larger companies, such as chemical plants. Would you like to know more about this? Then contact the province.

The environmental permit may have disadvantages for nature. This is because the preservation of protected areas, plant or animal species may be at risk. Indicate this clearly in the application. You then have the following choice:

  • You apply to the province for a nature conservation permit or exemption. The province assesses only the impact on nature. The province may impose special requirements, such as ecological guidance. Then you apply to the municipality for an environmental permit. The municipality then does not assess the consequences for nature.
  • You apply to the municipality for an environmental permit. In doing so, you ask that a nature assessment also be carried out. This means that the municipality also assesses the consequences for nature. The municipality will ask the province for a declaration of no objection. The municipality will include the Vvvb in the decision on your application. Does the province refuse to grant a Vvgb? Then the municipality will reject your permit application.

What to do.

Not sure if you need an environmental permit? Check via the Activities Decree Internet module. Sometimes it is enough if you file an environmental notification with the municipality.

Environmental permit applications

  • You consult with the municipality, if necessary.
  • Go to Omgevingsloket online.
  • Do the permit check.
  • You can then apply for the permit immediately.
  • Log in with eRecognition.
  • Depending on the type of business and how big it is, you pass on:
    • an acoustic report
    • a soil investigation report
    • an odor report
    • an energy report
    • a map
    • A business plan in which you explain the business activities

Requesting a copy of a construction drawing

You can request copies of construction drawings of existing structures from the municipality. This is important if, for example, you want to know whether you can remodel a house. To do this, see the product "View or request construction file or construction drawing".

How does it work?

The prerequisite for applying for an environmental permit is that your business places a heavy burden on the environment. For example:

  • sewage treatment plants with a sludge digestion plant
  • junkyards that also scrap trucks
  • farms using a propane tank

What does it cost?

When you apply for an environmental permit, you usually don't just pay the cost of the environmental permit. Often the municipality also charges planning costs. These are costs for preparation and supervision of the construction of facilities. For example, green areas, new roads or the filling of ditches. There is a national calculation model that the municipality uses to determine planning costs.

How long does it take?

The application and draft permit will be published and made available for review for 6 weeks. During this period, interested parties may submit written or oral comments. After the inspection period, the application and final permit will be published and made available for inspection for another 6 weeks.

Those who responded to the application and draft permit can appeal to the court. After that, there is still the possibility of 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.

Additional information