Building and renovating

If you want to build or renovate, you often have to report this or you need an environmental permit. This also applies to, for example, modifying your driveway, felling trees, installing solar panels, or removing asbestos roofs. First check whether a permit or notification is required and then submit your application. Sometimes you only need to provide information about your plans.

Step-by-step plan

  1. Currently working on: Prepare your plans

    Check the rules at and see whether a permit, notification, or information obligation is required using the permit check at . Are you having trouble navigating the many rules? Then visit the Heerlen environmental desk during office hours.

  2. Currently in progress: Explore your idea at the Intake Table

    Explore your idea at the municipality's Intake Desk. This will allow you to determine in advance whether your idea is promising. Arrange this online at . After assessment, you will receive advice and possible next steps. 

  3. Currently working on: Requests or reports

    Is the advice positive? Submit your plan or apply for your permit at the national Omgevingsloket (Environment Desk). Include the necessary documents. Read all about the application.

  4. Currently in progress: Confirmation of the request

    When you submit a report or request, you will receive a message from the email address noreply@jeleefomgeving.nl. You can use this email to log in to jeleefomgeving.nl and easily track your request.

  5. Currently in progress: The municipality is checking and assessing

    Is your application complete and is everything correct? You will receive a notification at jeleefomgeving.nl if additional information is required or if there is an update. If everything is in order, you will receive your permit.

  6. Currently working on: Starting work

    Sometimes you will need to hire a quality assurance inspector for construction supervision. If this is the case, you must submit a WKB notification at least four weeks before the start of construction.
    On the day you start construction, you must report this to the municipality. 

  7. Currently working on: Report as complete

    Notify the municipality when the work is complete.

Multiple environmental permits

When submitting your notification or application, you may need multiple permits. Check the rules for:

Additional rules and permits

In addition to the notification or environmental permit, you may sometimes need other permits during the work, such as:

  • Permission for noise pollution
    You may carry out the work from Monday to Saturday between certain times. If you wish to build outside these times, you will need permission.
  • Using municipal land
    You need permission to place a container, portable toilet, or other object on the street, sidewalk, or parking space.
  • Request a sewer connection
    Are you not yet connected to the sewer system? Then submit a request to the municipality.
  • Waste processing
    Dispose of your construction, demolition, and garden waste in the correct manner.
  • Asbestos removal
    If you encounter asbestos, you must have it removed. 

Please also inform your neighbors.

The municipality also considers the interests of your neighbors. If you are granted an environmental permit, they can object to it. So take the people who live in the neighborhood into account. Let them know what your plans are in good time. This will ensure greater understanding and may help to prevent complaints and objections. 

General tips:

  • Let the people in your neighborhood know about your plan in advance. People often appreciate this. And you can discuss and resolve any potential problems together.
  • Also discuss the schedule and the consequences of the work. Consider possible nuisance for your neighbors, such as noise, traffic, dust, limited parking spaces, and barriers.
  • Share contact details with each other, such as phone numbers and email addresses. This will ensure that you can quickly inform each other in the event of unexpected events or problems. 
  • Keep in touch regularly during the work. Ask if everything is still going well. This prevents annoyance and ensures greater understanding if there is any inconvenience.
  • For large construction projects or long-term and complex work, consider setting up a sounding board group or holding a walk-in or information meeting.

Familiar with the rules?

When you start making plans, you will find information about laws and regulations in many places. And sometimes that can be overwhelming and difficult. The Heerlen Omgevingsloket (Environment Desk) will guide you through the process.
Please note: We do not perform substantive assessments. That is done by the intake desk.

Consultation hours are every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.