Apply for an environment and planning permit
Do you have plans to build, rebuild or renovate? Do you want to cut down a tree, display an advertisement or place solar panels? Check whether you need a permit. Or apply right away for an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning).
You usually need a permit if you want to carry out any of the following work:
- changing the exterior of an existing building. For example, by placing a signboard, Begin link: roof structure, end link. , roof dormer or roof terrace.
- changing the interior of an existing building, including the supporting structures or fire compartments. For example, knocking down a load-bearing wall. A fire compartment is a space within a building which has a fire resistant floor, ceiling and walls. This prevents a fire from spreading to other parts of the building. Are you unsure whether a wall you want to knock down is a fire resistant wall? Speak to a home inspector.
- dividing 1 independent living space into Begin link: 2 or more independent living spaces, end link. .
- making 2 or more living spaces into 1 home (Begin link: merging, end link. ).
- (re)constructing a building where you deviate from the rules in the Omgevingsplan (environmental plan). For example, by extending a building to a site where it is not permitted to build under the Omgevingsplan.
- giving a building a different function than what is in the Omgevingsplan. For example, using a building as a commercial property when the Omgevingsplan states that this building is for residential use.
- altering a Begin link: municipal or national listed monument, end link. .
- Begin link: sticking promotional stickers on windows, displaying advertising signboards or hanging advertising on a building facade, end link. .
- demolishing (part of) a building in an area with Begin external link: protected status(External link), end external link..
- painting the facade of a building in an area with protected status, if the Omgevingsplan states that an environment and planning permit is needed for this.
- building or altering a cycle path or road surface.
- Begin link: cutting down, pruning or replanting trees, end link.
- building a driveway or changing an existing driveway.
Wet Kwaliteitsborging voor bouwen (Wkb)
In certain cases you must also announce your plans before you start building work. These cases are described on the page Begin link: Melding Wet kwaliteitsborging (Wkb-melding), end link. .
Archaeology
Do you want to build in an area with archaeological value or with potential for new discoveries? Read more on the page Begin external link: Archeologiebeleid en Advies(External link), end external link. (archeologie.denhaag.nl).
Permit needed or not
There are different ways of checking whether you need a permit:
Check whether you need a permit with the permit check in the Omgevingsloket:
- Are you unsure whether your (re)construction plans meet the conditions? Or do you have other questions about (re)construction plans? Request a consultation with a project inspector from the department of Permits and Supervision (Vergunningen & Toezicht). The consultation will be done by telephone and is free. Make an appointment by calling tel. (070) 353 4340.
- Do you have a company? Visit the Begin link: Local Business Counter (Ondernemersportaal), end link. .
Are you in doubt about whether you will get a permit for your plans? Then you can request an Begin link: initial ruling, end link. . The municipality will investigate whether your plan is feasible. The municipality will use the initial ruling to put in writing whether it will grant an environment and planning permit for your plan. An initial ruling provides no rights or obligations. You must still apply for the environment and planning permit afterwards.
The municipality needs information to be able to tell you whether your plans satisfy the rules. Provide this information on time and make it as complete as possible.
When you apply for an environment and planning permit you must provide all of the information required by the municipality in order to assess your application. Are you applying for an environment and planning permit for technical construction work? Then you need to provide the construction drawings. It could be useful to hire an engineering design bureau or an architect. They can make these drawings for you. The Environment Decree (Omgevingsbesluit) contains the exact requirements for your application.
If your activity does not meet the rules of the Omgevingsplan
Are you applying for an environment and planning permit for work which does not meet the rules of the Omgevingsplan? Then you provide in your application:
- all the information which clearly shows the spatial impact of this work. For example:
- Do you want to build a roof structure which is higher than what is allowed under the Omgevingsplan? Then you must provide a shadow analysis. This should visualise the impact on the amount of sunlight received by neighbouring buildings.
- Do you want to start up a child care centre on a spot where this is not allowed under the Omgevingsplan? Then you must submit a noise analysis (acoustic analysis) which indicates the level of sound which will bounce off the building.
- Do you want to create a foundation on a spot where a water pipeline is located according to the Omgevingsplan? Then you must submit drawings which indicate exactly where the foundation will be created and how deep it will be.
- a description of how you will involve your surroundings in your plan. For example, your neighbours, businesses and community organisations. You need to do this before you apply for the permit. In your application you must explain how you involved your surroundings in your plan.
It is usually a good idea to ask an expert to prepare all of the required documents for you.
You can apply for different building work using 1 permit application procedure.
You will need a DigiD for your application. You do not have a DigiD? Begin external link: Apply for a DigiD(External link), end external link.. Companies use Begin link: eHerkenning 2 (EH2), end link. .
After you have applied the municipality will follow a number of steps. Read more on the page Begin link: Procedure after applying for environment and planning permit, end link. .
The municipality charges fees (‘leges’) for an environment and planning permit application.
Look at the list of fees for an environment and planning permit application in the Begin external link: Verordening leges Omgevingswet Den Haag 2024(External link), end external link. (in Dutch).
As of 1 November 2021 the municipality also charges fee for commercial advertising (advertising on a facade). These fees can be found in the Begin external link: Algemene legesverordening Den Haag 2021(External link), end external link. (in Dutch).
Ask for refund
Has your application been rejected or dismissed? In some cases you can Begin link: apply for a refund for environment and planning permit fees, end link. .
After you apply for the environment and planning permit, you will receive a letter stating how long the procedure will take.
- Do you have a simple building plan? Then you will usually hear if you will get the permit within 8 weeks. Because it is busy, this is currently taking a minimum of 12 weeks.
- Do you have a more complex building plan with many consequences for the direct area? Then you will usually hear if you will get the permit within a minimum of 16 weeks.
The municipality will publish an announcement about the application on Begin external link: Berichten over uw buurt(External link), end external link.. Everybody can look at the application there or view it at Begin link: The Hague Information Centre, end link. . The construction drawings will also be made public.
- For example, applications which concern security or the protection of monuments or museums. Read the rules about this in Begin external link: Beleidsregel vertrouwelijke omgevingsvergunningen Den Haag 2019(External link), end external link. (in Dutch).
- If you have applied for an initial ruling, only you will receive this. Other people will not be able to request to see this initial ruling.
- The municipality will also look at the interests of your neighbours. If the municipality grants you an environment and planning permit, they can file an objection to it.
- It is important to maintain good relations with your neighbours if you are planning to do building work. Read how you can inform your neighbours on the page Begin link: Building in and with the neighbourhood, end link. .
- Begin link: Converting houseboats and commercial vessels, end link. (in Dutch)
- Begin link: Advisory committee on living environment and cultural heritage in The Hague, end link. (in Dutch)
- Begin link: Transfer the environment and planning permit, end link.
- Begin external link: Environment and Planning Act (Government.nl)(External link), end external link.