Applying for or reporting an environmental permit procedure

You have a plan. With the permit check (opens in new tab) at the Environmental Desk you can check whether you need to apply for an environmental permit for your work or submit a notification.

Do the check for all your work

Are you cutting down a tree to build a way out? Then complete the permit check for both activities.

The results of the check do not provide any guarantee or rights. Do you want to be sure whether you need a permit? Then submit an environmental permit application. We will then check whether you need to apply for a permit.

Is the outcome ‘Contact your municipality’?

Is the outcome, for the reason Flora and fauna activity or Natura 2000 activity, that you need to contact the local authority? Please contact the Province of Fryslân (opens in new tab) and not the municipality. The City of Leeuwarden does not deal with this.

Do you have doubts about the feasibility of your plan? Submit your plan to us informally first. We refer to this as a preliminary consultation. We recommend submitting a preliminary consultation for large-scale projects or plans that deviate from the environmental plan. During the preliminary consultation, we will let you know how likely it is that your application will be approved.

You can submit a preliminary consultation via the Environment Desk using the ‘Uw idee verkennen (opens in new tab)’ (Explore your idea) tile.

There are costs associated with submitting a preliminary consultation. The basic rate is €467.28. A fee for an aesthetics advice may be added to this.

You will receive the costs back when you apply for an environmental permit. You will not be reimbursed for any costs you may incur for welfare advice.

You must submit the final application or notification via the Environment Desk (opens in new tab). Submit the application completely. This prevents delays. Make sure that no privacy-sensitive data is included in the attachment. For example, your name, address or citizen service number. Submitting an application costs money.

You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt from the Environment Desk. We will then also send a confirmation of receipt. This way, you can be sure that your application has reached us.

Submit additional information?

Is it a permit application? Go to My Environment Desk (opens in new tab). Add the information under the same request number.

Is it a notification? Then it is not possible to add the information. We will reject your report and inform you that you must submit a new report.

You usually have to report 4 weeks before you start the activity. Sometimes a different term may apply. This is on the action list that you receive after you have completed the permit check.

Is the notification complete? You will then receive a message from us.

We will let you know whether we can assess your application. Aren’t we the authority that decides? We will then forward your request. We also indicate which procedure applies:

Standard procedure

• This procedure takes a maximum of 8 weeks. This period can be extended once by 6 weeks.
• We will assess your application according to the legal rules. Sometimes we ask another organization for advice. For example, the Wetterskip or the Welfare Committee.
• Does your application comply with the rules of the law? We will then send you a copy of the permit. We publish the permit online.

Extended procedure

• The procedure takes a maximum of six months. This period can be extended once by 6 weeks.
• We will assess your application according to the legal rules. Sometimes we ask another organization for advice. For example, the Wetterskip or the Welfare Committee.
• Does your application comply with the rules of the law? A draft permit is then drawn up first. It is available for viewing. That means anyone can view the permit.
  • For applications up to and including 2023, please submit a request for inspection. The requested documents will be available for inspection at the counter in the Leeuwarden city hall within 3 days.
  • You can view applications from 2024 onwards via Overheid.nl (opens in new tab).
• Does someone want to respond? If so, that person must submit a viewpoint. This must be done within 6 weeks.
• After 6 weeks we will draw up the final decision. The views may lead to changes in the draft permit. We provide a response for each submission.
• Does your application comply with the rules of the law? We will then send you a copy of the permit. We publish the environmental permit online.

Via the Environmental Permit page you will find activities for which you may need to apply for an environmental permit or submit a notification.

For example, if you are going to build something, remove asbestos, demolish something, cut down a tree or construct an exit.

Via My Environment Desk (opens in new tab) you can;

• view all your submitted requests;
• supplement, amend or revoke permit applications;
• authorize someone to submit an application on your behalf.

Application before submitted by 1 January 2024?

In that case, you cannot submit a supplement to this application via the OLO or Environment Desk. You can send a supplement by email to vergunningen@leeuwarden.nl. Remember to state your case number.

Has the permit been granted? Interested parties can object or file an appeal.

Objecting is free.

Filing an appeal costs money.

You cannot object or appeal against a notification.

Please visit the Environment Desk’s Help Centre (opens in new tab).

Still have questions or need help?

Contact the City of Leeuwarden. If you need help in submitting an application, you can also make an appointment (opens in new tab) to visit the town hall. Please bring the necessary documents and your own laptop for the application process. Do you want to know what documents you need? Go to the page: Construction.