Apply for an environment and planning permit

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 business premises if 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.

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. .

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).

There are different ways of checking whether you need a permit:

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.

Are you applying for an environment and planning permit for work which does not meet the rules of the Omgevingsplan? Then you must provide all 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.

In addition, applications which do not satisfy the rules of the Omgevingsplan must undergo a participation process. Participation means involving interested parties in your initiative at an early stage. For example, your neighbours, businesses and community organisations in your neighbourhood. 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.

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 Algemene legesverordening Den Haag 2021 (in Dutch).

Ask for refund

Has your application been denied or dismissed? In some cases you can Begin link: apply for a refund for environment and planning permit fees, end link. .

After you have applied for the environment and planning permit, you will receive a letter stating how long the procedure will take.

• The municipality usually will take a decision on your application within 8 weeks. It has the right to extend this period 1 time by a maximum of 6 weeks.
• Do you have a more complex building plan? Then the municipality will have 12 weeks or 26 weeks to take a decision. You will receive notification about this. The municipality also has the right to extend this period 1 time by a maximum of 6 weeks.

• Begin link: Transfer the environment and planning permit, end link.
• Begin external link: Omgevingsvisiedenhaag.nl(External link), end external link.
• Begin external link: Environment and Planning Act (Government.nl)(External link), end external link.