Permit to cut down, prune or replant tree

Would you like to prune, replant (move) or cut down a tree? You usually need an all-in-one permit.

A 'tree' is understood as a regular tree, conifer, holly or a large shrub (bush).

Who is it for?

Only the owner of the tree can apply for a permit. If somebody else wants to apply for a permit, the owner must give his written permission.

Permit required

To cut down, prune or replant a tree, you need a permit if:

• You want to cut down (fell) a tree.
• You want to remove (prune) between 30% and 50% of the tree crown (upper branches of the tree).
• You want to remove more than 50% of the tree crown (pollarding). In this case, a permit is only needed the first time.
• You want to move a tree with a trunk circumference of more than 30 centimetres.

Whether you need a permit depends on the spot where the tree is standing:

• Your back garden is smaller than 50 square metres

  • Are you able to see the tree from the public road? A permit is required for a trunk circumference of more than 30 centimetres.
  • Are you not able to see the tree from the public road? A permit is required for a trunk circumference of more than 90 centimetres.

• Your back garden is larger than 50 square metres

  A permit is required for a trunk circumference of more than 30 centimetres.

• In all other cases

  A permit is required for a trunk circumference of more than 30 centimetres.

  Look at the exceptions under No permit needed.

Measuring the trunk circumference

You measure the trunk circumference of a tree at a height of 130 centimetres. If the tree has more than 1 trunk, you measure the circumference of the thickest trunk. When you apply for a permit, you have to provide the diameter of the trunk. You can calculate the diameter by dividing the trunk circumference by 3.14.

No permit required

There are 3 exceptions to the permit requirement:

1. You want to cut down an elm which has Dutch elm disease. This disease is very contagious for other elms in the surroundings. This is why you should remove a sick elm as quickly as possible. Also see Boomziekten: iepenziekte (in Dutch).
2. You are carrying out work in a protected forest and natural area. And you want to manage the forest sustainably as stipulated under the Nature Conservation Act. For example when removing trees in part of a forest (thinning). Read more about this on the page Beheren van de Haagse bossen (in Dutch).
3. You must remove an unsafe tree in a protected forest and natural area. The tree forms a risk to people using the forest. For example, because it is in bad condition and standing near a path or playground.

Needed for the application

• At least 3 different digital photos of the tree. The photos should clearly show why you want to cut down, prune or replant the tree.
• A site assessment (drawing) to prevent misunderstandings about the tree and its location.
• The diameter of the tree trunk (see about Measuring the trunk circumference).
• In the case of municipal plans such as an embankment renewal: a redevelopment plan and/or a decision by the municipality.

After submitting the application, the municipality can ask you for extra information. For example:

• A proposal for planting a new tree.
• A report from an expert which shows that it is really necessary to cut down the tree.

Apply for a permit

First do the permit check in the Omgevingsloket Online (OLO). Then you will see if you need a permit. If you do need one, you can Apply for the all-in-one permit via the OLO.

• The municipality will assess your application. Sometimes it will seek external advice.
• The municipality will decide whether to grant the permit or not. You can file an objection to this decision.
• The municipality will publish the decision via Berichten over uw buurt (Overheid.nl) or Gemeenteberichten en bekendmakingen. Would you like to view the entire file (including photos and the application)? Look at them at The Hague Information Centre.
• You can read the documents up to 6 weeks after publication in the Gemeenteblad.

Good to know

• You may not make use of the permit between 15 March and 15 July because this is brooding (nesting) season for birds.
• You might have to plant a new tree (replant). If replanting a tree is not possible, the municipality could ask you to transfer a sum of money to the Bomenfonds (tree foundation).
• Is a tree sick or dead? Even then you need a permit according to the rules on this page. If the tree poses a danger to its surroundings, you are allowed to cut down the tree immediately after you get the permit. Read more information about the procedure on Werkwijze kappen van slechte en dode bomen (in Dutch).

In a forest or nature area

For 20 forest and nature areas you often need permission from the municipality as well as the province. The rules can be found in the:

• General Municipal Ordinance for The Hague (APV)
• national Nature Conservation Act (Wnb)

Look at the rules and the areas in the proposed Wijzigingen i.v.m. de inwerkingtreding van de Wet natuurbescherming (RIS 300563, page 4).

Would you like to cut down, prune or replant a tree in 1 of these areas? Then the same rules are in effect as for other trees. The exceptions can be found under No permit required.