Apply for an environment and planning permit

For installing solar panels on buildings which are not in a protected area.

You usually need an environment and planning permit if you want to do any of the following:

• Renovate a building in building in a protected area. Want to know if a building is in a protected area? Visit Begin external link: Monumentenzorgdenhaag.nl(External link), end external link..
• Build a Begin link: padel court, end link. . 
• Install solar panels on buildings in protected area.
• Change the exterior of a building (for example, placing a signboard, roof structure, roof dormer, roof terrace, shed or fence or adding a garden).
• Change the interior of a building (for example, removing a load-bearing wall).
• Merge 2 or more living spaces into 1 home (Begin link: woningen samenvoegen, end link. ).
• (Re)construct a building where you deviate from the Begin external link: rules in the Omgevingsplan(External link), end external link. (environmental plan). For example, extending a building into an area where construction is not normally allowed.
• Change the use of a building to deviate from the rules in the Omgevingsplan. For example, turning a residential home into a shop or office.
• Display advertisements. For example, putting promotional stickers on windows, placing advertising signs or hanging ads on the building’s exterior.
• Begin link: Cut down, prune or replant trees, end link. .
• Build or modify a driveway.

You always need a permit to do the following work:

• Change a Begin link: municipal or national listed monument, end link. . Check if a building is a monument on Begin external link: Monumentenzorgdenhaag.nl(External link), end external link..
• Add a Begin link: roof structure, end link. .
• Build a shed in the front garden.

The municipality will post an announcement about your application on Begin external link: Berichten over uw buurt(External link), end external link.. Anyone can view your application there or at Begin link: The Hague Information Centre, end link. . The construction drawings will also be made public.

• Applications from embassies, ministries and international organisations. These are not (fully) public due to security issues or to protect special sites like monuments or museums. Read the full rules in the Begin external link: Beleidsregel vertrouwelijke omgevingsvergunningen Den Haag 2019(External link), end external link. (in Dutch).
• If you request an initial ruling, only you will receive this. Other people cannot view or request it.

• The municipality will also consider the interests of your neighbours. If you receive a permit, they have the right to file an objection.
• It is important to maintain good relations with your neighbours, especially if you are planning construction work. You can find tips on how to inform them on the page Begin link: Building in and with the neighbourhood, end link. .

In some cases you must officially announce your plans before starting construction. Check the page Begin link: Melding Wet kwaliteitsborging, end link. (Wkb-melding) to see when this is required.

Then it may be helpful to hire an engineering design bureau or an architect. They can prepare the drawings for you. You can find the official requirements in the Begin external link: Environment Decree(External link), end external link. (Omgevingsbesluit).

Have you found a building you want to use for your business? First, check in the Begin external link: Omgevingsplan(External link), end external link. whether this use is allowed for your type of business.
If you want to use the building for a different type of business than what the Omgevingsplan allows, you can apply for an environment and planning permit to deviate from the rules.

Do you have other questions? You can make an appointment during telephone consultation hours or visit the Ondernemersportaal at the Spui.