For certain renovations or changes to your building, an environmental permit is required.
The more radical the change, the more extensive (and more complicated) the conditions for granting a permit will be.
Article 2.1 of the General Provisions on Environmental Law Act contains a list of actions for which an environmental permit is required. Examples of such actions are work in violation of the zoning plan, the construction of a structure or certain demolition work. These days it can be checked in advance whether a permit is required for your building plans. You can check your municipality’s policy on permits on the basis of your data via the environment counter.
When you subsequently submit an (environmental) permit application, the municipality will assess your application against the Building Decree, the applicable Zoning Plan, the relationship between your property and that of your neighbours, as well as other regulations and welfare requirements.
In principle, the municipality must take a decision on your permit application within eight weeks. This period can be extended once by six weeks. Interested parties may object to the decision on your application. In the event of a rejection, you can lodge an objection as an interested party. Note that also in the case of a decision in your favour, your neighbours as interested parties have the right to object. The process can become further complicated and dragged out if you or your neighbours submit expert reports, or if the municipality changes their opinion halfway through the application. It is therefore important to properly chart the process from the outset, to estimate risks and to prepare.
GMW lawyers will be happy to help you with all your administrative law issues. If you have any questions, please contact us directly using the enquiry form below or +31 (0)70 3615048. Our administrative law lawyers will be glad to support and advise you.
GMW advocaten will be happy to help you with all your administrative law issues. Do you have a question or want legal advice? Feel free to contact us.
"*" indicates required fields
19 February 2026
The effect of a conversion notice in contracts for works
Suppose a contractor has been engaged under a contract for works, but a problem arises during the execution of those works. Unfortunately, this happens quite often. If the parties are unable to resolve the issue together, it is advisable to consider legal steps. Below is a practical explanation and five useful tips.
Read more
29 January 2026
Another brick in the wall
Are you planning to build or renovate? If so, a number of questions arise straight away: which type of agreement for contracting works is best for you? Do you opt for a fixed contract price, a target price, or a contract based on hours worked? Are any general terms and conditions applicable and, if so, which ones? Below is a practical guideline.
Read more
8 January 2026
Rent and valuation fictions in the WOZ Act: how does it actually work?
The WOZ value of a property is its estimated market value. In other words, it is the price that would be paid by the highest bidder if the property were sold in the best possible way. Each year, the municipality determines this value and assigns it to a property on the basis of sale prices of comparable properties in the area.
Read more
17 December 2025
The penalty clause in a property purchase agreement
Buying a home is not something most people do every day. It is therefore important that both parties understand the obligations arising from a property purchase agreement.
Read more
20 November 2025
Can you claim compensation for non-material damage under Dutch real estate and tenancy law?
In recent years, we have received an increasing number of questions about compensation for non-material (immaterial) damage. Expats in particular are often used to the idea that, alongside compensation for material loss, there is also scope for compensation for more abstract harm, such as anxiety, distress, or impact on private life.
Read more
6 November 2025
The second opinion procedure in appeal
Since 2013, the Court of Appeal in The Hague has offered the second opinion procedure in appeal cases. This procedure aims to provide parties with a faster and less expensive reassessment of their case, as an alternative to the regular appeal procedure. This article discusses the legal basis, process, and the (dis)advantages of the procedure.
Read more
17 September 2025
Rent increase following the sustainability upgrade of a property
More and more property owners are becoming aware of the need to make their homes more sustainable. There are various sustainability measures they can take.
Read more
20 August 2025
On second thought
The statutory reflection period when purchasing a property
Read more
6 August 2025
Amendment of contracts
In contract law, the principle of pacta sunt servanda applies. This Latin phrase means that agreements must generally be fulfilled. Although this rule is not explicitly stated in the law, it forms the basis for the legal obligations arising from contracts.
Read more
