Environment Act

You will have to deal with the Environment Act if you want to change something in your living environment. For example, if you

• Have plans to remodel your home,
• wants to organize an event or
• If you are a business owner looking to have a shed installed next to your business premises.

You may also have to deal with the Environment Act if someone else wants to change something in your living environment. For example, if your neighbors want to put up a garage or if a nearby company wants to enlarge its office.
The Environment Act provides opportunities for you to voice your opinion about it.

• The Omgevingsloket is the counter where you can apply online for a permit, make a notification or submit additional information. In this desk from January 1, 2024 all rules of the state, water board, province and municipality are together. A permit checker will give you an answer to the question of whether or not you need to apply for a permit or submit a notification. Of course, there remains the possibility of contacting the municipality through other channels as well. Use of the Environment Counter is preferred, but not mandatory.
• The current zoning plans and local ordinances will be converted into a single environmental plan by Jan. 1, 2024. This environmental plan contains not only information about the zoning of a place, but also rules about, for example, noise and soil. The plan can also contain rules on, for example, energy measures and sustainability.
• As a municipality, we assess your plan not only on spatial aspects; we also consider, for example, the effects (if any) on climate, health and safety.
• Participation is an important pillar under the Environment Act. As an initiator, you are responsible for finding support for your plan. Therefore, it is important that you involve your neighbors and others in your area in your plan as early as possible.
• The Environment Act allows us to make a decision on your permit applications faster, in up to 8 weeks. You can object or appeal after our decision. Is your application complicated? Then we may take longer to make a decision. We call this an extensive procedure.
• If your application is complicated, we recommend that you request a preliminary consultation with the municipality so that we can assess your plan before you submit an official application. Through this preliminary consultation with the municipality, you will soon know where any bottlenecks in your plan are and we can ensure that the permit application can also be completed within 8 weeks.

• Did you submit a permit application before Jan. 1, 2024? Then this application will still be processed according to the rules in effect at that time.
• The same applies to zoning plan amendments that are still open for review before Jan. 1, 2024. These, too, will still be handled according to the rules in effect at the time.

The Environment Act deals with the physical environment. What does that mean?

With the Environment Act, the government wants us to organize the "physical living environment" in a better and simpler way. In any case, the following components fall under the physical living environment:

• structures and infrastructure
• water (systems), soil and air
• landscapes, nature and cultural heritage
• social and health aspects, such as wheelchair accessibility and green schoolyards

So the Environment Act is not only about the design of the physical environment. Social and societal interests are also important in it.

Why is the Environment Act being introduced?

The Omgevingswet should ensure that the physical living environment can be arranged better and simpler. The Environment Act has several goals.

Social goals

• A safe and healthy physical environment
• Good environmental quality
• Properly managing, using and developing the physical environment

Improvement Goals

• Increasing the ease of use of environmental law
• An integrated approach
• Encouraging an active approach
• Accelerate and improve processes (such as permit applications)

Where can I find more information about the Environment Act?

Take a look at:

• Aaneslagmetdeomgevingswet.nl
• Central government/environmental law
• VNG.nl

Glossary Environment Act
Glossary Environment counter
Glossary Regulatory IPLO

Contact us if you want more information about the Environment Act or need help applying for a permit, filing a notification or requesting a consultation.