Applying for a terrace permit
Do you want to create a terrace for your hospitality business? Or do you want to make your outdoor terrace larger? If so, you often need a terrace permit. Sometimes you only need to notify the municipality or update your existing permit.
Find out more or arrange now
at your municipality, province, or water authority
How to apply for a terrace permit
It depends on your municipality if you need a terrace permit. In some municipalities you may add a terrace without a permit if you meet specific criteria, such as predetermined size limits or location-based conditions. Other municipalities allow you to change or extend your existing permits to create or expand a terrace. For example, your alcohol licence or operating permit for a catering establishment. You may also need to apply for an environment and planning permit for certain locations. Consult your municipality for the requirements if you want to add a terrace. You apply for a terrace permit to the municipality where your business is located.
Conditions for a terrace
Each municipality may have different conditions for a terrace at a hospitality business. Even if you do not need a terrace permit, you must comply with the conditions in the General Municipal By-law (APV) and in your municipality's environment plan. Examples of these include:
- you may not damage the road with your terrace
- your terrace may not be a danger to road users
- your terrace may not disrupt road management and maintenance
Check with the municipality where your catering establishment is located to see what the conditions are for a terrace.
Permit for terrace season
Some municipalities have a terrace season. In that case, you may only have a terrace for that period. The terrace permit states the period for which it applies. If your municipality does not have a terrace season, you may have a terrace all year round.
Cost of terrace permits
You pay administrative charges (leges) for a terrace permit in most municipalities. You always pay these, even if the municipality refuses the permit. You can find the amount in the municipality's administrative charges by-laws. Ask the municipality if there are any additional costs (in Dutch). If your terrace is located on municipality-owned land, you have to pay precario tax.
Applying for a terrace permit using Message Box
You can also apply for a terrace permit digitally via Message Box. Message Box is a secure email system that enables you as an entrepreneur to exchange digital messages with Dutch government agencies. Message Box has not yet been linked to the Omgevingsloket. This means that you cannot apply for an environment and planning permit via Message Box.
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Questions relating to this article?
Please contact the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO