Noise regulations

Noise regulations in the environment plan

The noise rules you must follow depend on the work you do and the location where your company carries out this work. The noise regulations are set out in the municipality's environment plan. The local General Municipal By-Law (Algemene Plaatselijke Verorderning, APV) may also contain noise regulations.

These are the same rules as in the former Environmental Activities Decree. Municipalities have until 2032 to replace these rules with their own noise regulations.

Did you already have an environmental permit for environmentally harmful activities (in Dutch) before 1 January 2024? Then the rules from that permit will continue to apply to you.

Check the environment plan

Do you want to know which rules apply to your business? Check the environment plan via rules on the map (in Dutch) in the online service counter Omgevingsloket.

General Municipal Bye-Law

The municipality's General Municipal By-Law (APV) also contains noise regulations. These deal with public order and safety.

Noise survey

The local authority may ask you for a noise survey report (in Dutch). For example, if you start a new business, or your business activities change.

Exemption from noise regulations for the catering and construction industries

In some cases, you do not have to comply with the noise regulations. For example, if you want to organise a party at your hospitality establishment. Or if you are going to build, renovate, or demolish a building. You can apply for an exemption from the municipality. Sometimes you must report your activities a few weeks in advance. Do you want to use audio equipment for your party? Then you need a permit for this in some municipalities. Contact your municipality for more information.