Environmental permit Kap

The felling of trees is subject to regulations. These regulations are partly included in the General Local Regulation (APV), partly in the environmental plan, and partly in the flora and fauna activity. Among other things, these regulations stipulate that you need an environmental permit to fell certain trees.

Directly arrange

 Environmental Permit Application

Forest Opsterland

Tree felling

The felling of trees is subject to regulations. These regulations are partly included in the General Local Regulation (APV) and partly in the environmental plan and in the flora and fauna activity. You can only apply for an environmental permit for felling a tree that you own yourself.

When do you need a permit?

You need a permit when the tree:

  • For an oak or beech tree with a trunk circumference of at least 60 cm, measured at 1.30 m above ground level;
  • A valuable tree with a trunk circumference of at least 190 cm, measured at 1.30 m above ground level. A valuable tree is defined as a tree that defines the character of its surroundings, is of cultural and historical value or has a special place in the history of Opsterland, and has a life expectancy of at least 10 years.

The municipality may Requirements additional Requirements to the environmental permit, such as a replanting obligation.


Tree felling in built-up areas

You need a tree felling permit if:

  • the trees are within the building contour;
  • the trees are located outside the building contour, but there are 20 trees or fewer, or the wooded area is 10 acres (1,000 m²) or smaller.

You can submit an application directly via the webpage omgevingswet

As a private individual, you can submit your application directly online using DigiD. As a company, you can submit your application directly online using eHerkenning.

Tree felling in rural areas

You must submit a cap notification if:

  • trees are part of a wooded area or wooded areas larger than 10 acres (1,000 square meters);
  • trees in a row planting, if the row consists of more than 20 trees or more.

You must submit your felling notification at least six weeks and no more than one year before the actual felling of the trees via this webpage of the province of Fryslân: https://www.fryslan.frl/kapmelding

Cost

The fee for an environmental permit for tree felling is €150.
More information can be found in the fee schedule accompanying the Opsterland 2025 Fees Regulation: Regulation on the levying and collection of fees 2025 | Local laws and regulations


What do you need to provide? 

Please include a statement with the following information with your application form:

  • The type and number of trees to be felled;
  • The place where these trees stand;
  • Why you want to cut down the trees;
  • If you are applying for the permit on behalf of the owner of the trees, please also include their written consent;
  • Photo + situation sketch    

General local ordinance

General local ordinance

Article 4:11 Grounds for refusal 

Notwithstanding Article 1:8, the permit may be refused or granted subject to conditions on the basis of:

  1. It is prohibited without a permit from the municipal executive to cut down the following trees within built-up areas or in gardens:
    a. an oak or beech tree with a trunk circumference of at least 60 cm, measured at a height of 1.30 m from ground level;
    b. a valuable tree with a trunk circumference of at least 190 cm, measured at a height of 1.30 m from ground level(ground);
  2. It is also prohibited to cut down a tree that is part of a forest or row of trees consisting of fewer than 20 trees or 10 acres outside built-up areas and outside a garden.
  3. The permit may be refused on the basis of:
    a. the natural value of the tree;
    b. the landscape value of the tree;
    c. the value of the tree for urban and rural aesthetics;
    d. the iconic value of the tree;
    e. the cultural-historical value of the tree; or
    f. the value of the tree for quality of life.
  4. The prohibition referred to in the first and second paragraphs shall not apply if the mayor grants permission for the felling of a tree in connection with an urgent interest in public order or a direct danger to persons or property.    

You can view the general local regulations on the website lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl.