The omgevingswet

The new omgevingswet came into force on January 1, 2024. This law deals with the space in which we live, work and relax: our living environment. You will have to deal with the Omgevingswet Act if you want to change something in your living environment. When you want to build a new driveway, for example. Or if you want to expand your business premises.

If you want to change something in your living environment, you are a so-called "initiator. This means that you must then see whether you need an environmental permit or a notification. This can be done online in the digital environment counter. For more information beforehand, you can visit the municipal counter of the municipality.

Impact on permits issued

Everyone who submitted a permit application before the implementation date of the Omgevingswet, we treat and grant under the current legislation, the WABO. The (construction) inspections during construction are also carried out under the WABO. We are happy to help you if you have any questions about your plan. 

With the start of the new Omgevingswet , the Requirements, deadlines and rules with which a permit application must comply will change. For example, new plans will include consideration of impacts on, for example, health, safety, sustainability and climate. The law also requires an initiator to coordinate her/his plan with the environment where it will be implemented. This may take extra time or involve extra work.

Benefits of the Omgevingswet

More influence on what happens in your neighborhood

The omgevingswet also means that you as a resident or business owner must be involved in the preliminary process by others with plans in the area. So your input is no longer optional. For example, is there a construction project in your neighborhood? Then the initiator (residents, businesses and social organization) of that plan may be required to ensure support in the area. By the way, you keep the possibility to object at a later stage. For example, after a permit application.

All information and rules in 1 place

The Omgevingswet works with a single digital counter for environmental plans, permits and notifications. Through this digital environment counter you can see if your plan is permitted, if and what permit you need for this. All applications must then be submitted through the digital environment counter.

Environment Counter

Much information about the omgevingswet is online, but it is not easy for everyone to find. The Omgevingsloket Heerlen helps you further. It explains the current rules and how to submit a digital application or notification. There are no substantive reviews.

In the public hall of the municipality of Heerlen you can visit the environment counter by appointment. The consultation hour is every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Call 045-5405040 to make an appointment. 

Apply for permit or report online?

At the online environment counter, you can make the online application or notification, for example, for a new dormer window, a new commercial building, placement of a shoring, or an activity on or near a dike. 

Environmental Vision

The municipality of Heerlen is also going to develop an environmental vision. In the vision we will make clear how we want to involve citizens, for example. What exactly do we mean by 'support' and 'participation'? What does that look like in practice? The Environmental Vision must be ready by mid-2024.

For the environmental vision, we engaged with residents in 2023. There was also a survey to which 2602 people responded. Finally, there was also a meeting at which professionals discussed points of interest in the living environment that the municipality of Heerlen must work on in the coming years.

Learn more 

Want more information about the Omgevingswet? Check out the website of the Rijksoverheid or the website of Aan de slag met de Omgevingswet.