Environmental permit for urban development activities or the operation of classified installations or activities

What do you need an environmental permit for?

• Constructions
  Constructing, installing, rebuilding, demolishing or extending structures, for example:
  • Garden shed (Dutch only)
  • Extension (e.g. veranda) (Dutch only)
  • Paving (terrace, car parking area, etc.) or fencing (hedge, wooden fence, etc.) (Dutch only)
  • Alteration to façades or roofs (e.g. installing insulation) (Dutch only)
• Trees
  • Clearing tree-covered areas
  • Cutting down tall trees (Dutch only)
• Soil and ground
  • Visibly changing the relief of the soil, e.g. swimming pool or (swimming) pond (Dutch only)
  • Using, constructing on or arranging land to:
    • Store used or discarded vehicles, materials, tools or waste
    • Park vehicles or trailers
    • Install a movable structure that can be used for habitation (exception: camping on a licensed or license-exempt outdoor recreational site)
• Change or divide the function
  • Change the main function of a building or property in whole or in part (Dutch only)
  • Divide a property or change the number of residential units in a building, e.g.
    • Change the number of housing units (more or less) (Dutch only)
    • Change the number of housing units temporarily (Lodgings formula) (Dutch only)
    • Change from a multi-family house to a single-family house (Dutch only)
• Recreational sites constructing or modifying (e.g. golf course, football pitch, tennis court, swimming pool etc.)
• Placing advertising (Dutch only)
• Heat pump with vertical boreholes
• Fuel oil tank of more than 20,000 kg

How do you apply?

1. Contact us

For urban planning questions

Contact the construction counter to find out if you need to visit us, by appointment.

• We can answer some questions over the phone:
  • What urban planning regulations apply to the plot?
  • Is a notification sufficient or do I need a permit?
  • Do I need an architect?
• For others, you need to make an appointment:
  Make an appointment with the construction counter (Dutch only)
  • Duration: About 30 minutes.
  • What can you expect?
    We assess whether the plans have a chance of obtaining planning permission. You won't get a final decision yet. In some cases we will refer you to other departments for advice. Do you want certainty about the possibilities? If so, request an urban development certificate. (Dutch only)
  • What must you bring?
    • Sketches of the existing and new situation on which you indicate the main dimensions and data (building depth, width and height, distance to plot boundaries, gross and net floor surface area, changes at plot boundaries, etc.)
    • Photographs of the front and back or location of the works
    • Does your proposal deviate from the regulations for certain reasons? You must clearly state this.

For works to a listed building

1. Find out if your house constitutes immovable heritage, which means additional building regulations apply.
   Check if your home is a listed building (Dutch only)
2. Do additional regulations apply? Do not apply for an environmental permit yet. Contact us first to discuss your plans.
   Contact the immovable heritage department
3. Need an environmental permit?
   • When submitting your application, complete the justification note with a cultural-historical profile. (Dutch only)
   • For interventions in the soil, you may also need to have an archaeological note (Dutch only) drawn up.

Is your house a listed building but you do not need an environmental permit for your works? In some cases you do need permission from the City. (Dutch only)

For questions about operating a classified installation or activity

Contact the environment department (Dutch only)

2. Send us the file

1. Gather together the necessary documents

The specifications (Dutch only) explain the documents you need. Add all the necessary documents so that we can process your file immediately.

2. Submit your file

• Online
  • Mandatory for files in which the involvement of a professional is required (e.g. architect or surveyor).
  • On www.omgevingsloketvlaanderen.be, the Government of Flanders’ online platform. (Dutch only)
    
    For a permit without the involvement of an architect, your application can be fast-tracked. There must be no structural changes, the number of housing units and the main function must remain unchanged. With the fast-track (Dutch only) you have to complete the file in one go (you cannot save the data).
• On paper

• Can only still be used for files in which the involvement of a professional is not required.
  • Send us two copies in one of the following ways:
    • Drop them off at the City Office and ask for a receipt.
      View the opening hours
    • By post: Send them by registered mail to the construction counter.

What happens to your application?

1. We check whether the file is complete and admissible

We will send a reply by registered letter or via the Environment Counter within 30 days:

• Application is incomplete: The permit procedure is halted.
• Application inadmissible: Application is halted or forwarded to the relevant authority.
• Application is complete and admissible: You receive a certificate of completeness.

2. Review of your file

• We request the necessary advice.
• If a public enquiry is needed, we will launch it.
• We provide urban planning advice to the College of Aldermen.

3. The College of Aldermen takes a decision

• The Board of the Mayor and Aldermen take a decision.
  • File without a public enquiry (simplified permit procedure) (Dutch only)
    Within 60 days from the date of the certificate of completeness
  • File with a public enquiry (standard permit procedure) (Dutch only)
    Within 105 days or 120 days (with the Provincial Environmental Permit Committee) from the date of the certificate of completeness. This period can be extended by 60 days if:
    • An additional public enquiry is needed following any changes
    • The administrative loop must be applied.
    • The file includes roadworks.
• You will be notified of the decision:
  Within 10 days of the Board’s decision.
  • You receive a permit.
  • You are refused a permit. You can lodge an appeal with the Province of Flemish Brabant within 30 days. (Dutch only)
  • You do not receive a decision on time (within 70, 115, 130, 175 or 190 days): This constitutes an implied refusal. We will send you a registered letter or notification via the Environment Counter. You can lodge an appeal with the Province of Flemish Brabant within 30 days. (Dutch only)

When can you start the works?

1. Hang up the 'announcement’ document

• On the street side of the plot
• No later than 10 days after receipt
• For at least 30 days

2. Report the announcement

• Digital application: in the Environment Counter
• Paper application: using the form you received in the mail

3. Start the works

As of 36 days after you hang up the decision, unless someone appeals.

4. Report the beginning and end of the works

• Digital application: in the Environment Counter
• Paper application: using the form you received in the mail

When does the permit expire?

• The works have not started within two years after you obtained the permit.
• The works were interrupted for more than three consecutive years.
• The buildings relating to the permit are not windproof within five years after you obtained the environmental permit.
• The activities did not start within five years after you obtained the permit.

More info about a permit’s validity can be found in the Environmental Permit Decree. (Dutch only)

Extension

When can an extension be granted?

• An extension may be granted if the works or activities have not been carried out due to force majeure.
• An extension cannot be granted if:
  • Force majeure does not apply
  • The requested and permit-related activities are contrary to the regulations.

Duration of the extension

Maximum two years.

How do you apply?

By registered mail.

When?

At least three months before the deadline of the 'start of the works'.

What happens after you have applied?

The decision will be taken no later than the deadline for the original start of the works.

Operational permit

The permit expires if:

• Operations were interrupted for more than five consecutive years.
• The classified installation is destroyed by the operation.
• The operations were discontinued voluntarily.

Permit for changing vegetation

The permit expires if the changes are not started within two years.

Cost

At least € 21.

Tax regulations

(Dutch only)

Public enquiry consultation

At the reception desk in the City Office, without an appointment.

View the City Office’s opening hours