What you must know about construction
Are you going to build, renovate, or demolish? Then you must comply with the Environment and Planning Act, and with various other laws and regulations. Such as the Decree on construction works in the living environment (Bbl, the successor to the Building Decree) and the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb). You usually need an environment and planning permit.
On this page
- Construction and the Environment and Planning Act
- Spatial construction
- Technical construction
- Building without a permit (permit-free building)
- Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb)
- Safety during construction and demolition
- Check if you need an environment and planning permit and apply
- Read more about building and the Environment and Planning Act
- Do you have questions?
Construction and the Environment and Planning Act
The Environment and Planning Act (Omgevingswet) splits the construction of a building into a spatial and a technical part. Spatial construction concerns, for example, the building’s:
- features
- function
- and whether it complies with the municipal environment plan
Technical construction concerns, for example, the building’s:
- safety
- sustainability
- use
Spatial construction
For spatial construction, you have to comply with the rules set out in the municipality’s environment plan (formerly the zoning plan). Those rules determine, for example, at which locations you are allowed to build. And how many buildings can be built there. There are also rules on the building’s features, height, and function. You can find the municipality's and central government's spatial construction rules in the online service counter Omgevingsloket (in Dutch). Use the permit check in the Omgevingsloketto check whether you need an environment and planning permit for an activity mentioned in the environment plan.
Technical construction
Are you renovating a building, changing its structure, or, for example, adding a part to it? Or do you want to construct a new building? Then you must comply with the applicable rules. The Environment Buildings Decree (Bbl, in Dutch) contains the building regulations for a technical construction activity. Use the permit check in the Omgevingsloketto check whether you need an environment and planning permit for a technical building activity.
Building without a permit (permit-free building)
For spatial or technical construction, you sometimes need to apply for an environment and planning permit for building. There are also situations where you are allowed to build without a permit, but where you do have to submit a notification:
- You do not have to notify a permit-free spatial building activity.
- You have to notify some permit-free technical building activities in the Omgevingsloket.
Use the permit check in the Omgevingsloketto check if you need a building permit.
Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb)
There are also rules to improve the quality of construction. These rules are set out in the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb, in Dutch). For some construction projects, an independent quality assurance officer is mandatory. One of the tasks of that officer is to check during construction if you comply with the technical construction requirements. The rules from the Wkb do not apply to all construction work immediately, but take effect in stages.
Safety during construction and demolition
For construction and demolition work, you often have to appoint a Safety Coordinator Immediate Surroundings. This coordinator must ensure that the safety and health of everyone in the immediate vicinity of the work is not at risk. Are you starting a construction project that has potential safety risks? Then you must draw up a Health and Safety Plan (V&G Plan). This plan sets out how the principal, main contractors, and subcontractors ensure that employees work safely on a construction project.
Check if you need an environment and planning permit and apply
Go to the online service counter Omgevingsloket (in Dutch) to check if you need an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning). In the Omgevingsloket you can see which rules apply in your municipality, province, or regional water authority. You can then use the Omgevingsloket to apply online for an environment and planning permit or submit a notification.
Read more about building and the Environment and Planning Act
Do you have questions?
Contact the Informatiepunt Leefomgeving (IPLO):
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