Omgevingswet

• One omgevingswet - Fewer rules, more coherence, more overview.
• One Digital Environment Counter - All rules of municipalities, provinces and water boards in one place.
• At a glance, you can see what plans already exist and what rules apply to a particular location or area.
• Quickly clarify whether a permit or notification is required.
• One Environment Permit - Even if more governments are involved in a plan, activity or project. You now only need to apply for one permit.
• Within eight weeks of application (instead of 26 weeks).

Since 1810, many different laws and regulations have been made for outdoor space, such as for soil, water, roads, environment, monuments, nature, noise and new construction. These laws are not only complicated; they also sometimes contradict each other and multiple terms are used when the same thing is meant. The loose rules and laws also often hinder the development of innovative, sustainable initiatives. Therefore, 26 laws and several hundred regulations in the field of the living environment will be simplified and bundled in one Omgevingswet.

Actually all of us!

Residents, entrepreneurs and governments are jointly responsible for the quality and development of our living environment. Municipalities no longer lay down everything in detail in their environmental plans, as was done previously in zoning plans. By describing plans more globally, they create space for initiators to elaborate their plans. In certain situations, however, they must involve any interested parties (participation). The municipality then has a more advisory and reviewing role.

Residents may not initially notice anything about the Omgevingswet Act. But if you want to do something to your house or garden and you apply for a permit, it will be different than before. You will look up the rules in a new online office, the Environment Desk. There you can check whether you need a permit or a notification. You can also apply for a permit or make a notification immediately.
The Omgevingswet also ensures that you can participate in discussions about the Environment Vision, the Environment Plan and Development Perspectives in your municipality. And about initiatives in your neighborhood. This is already possible, but the Omgevingswet Act encourages you to be approached more actively to participate.

It is important to have early discussions about building and renovation plans. Whether the plans come from the government, a developer or from you or your neighbors. You can actively discuss these plans, or come up with different solutions and creative ideas. We call this participation.

The Omgevingswet contains rules about participation for initiatives and developments in the city. And when you apply for a permit, as an initiator you must indicate whether you have involved your neighbors and residents in the area in your plans, how you have done so and what the outcome is.

The new Omgevingswet merges the Spatial Planning Act, the Water Act and the Crisis and Recovery Act, among others. Entrepreneurs have to deal with this law if they want to change something in the "physical environment. This includes, for example, construction projects, converting an existing building or starting a new business activity in an existing building. 

On the KVK's Entrepreneurs' Square you will find all relevant information for you as an entrepreneur.

Click here to go to the Entrepreneur Square.