Environmental permit applications

Are you going to change something in your environment? For example, building or renovating?
Do you want to deviate from the environmental plan?

Then you may need an environmental permit. It is best to submit your idea online to the municipality via the Intake Table. This way you know in advance whether your idea has a chance. You can also apply for an environmental permit via the Environmental Desk.

Arrange online

Rule at Environment Counter

Approach

This is how you present your idea at the intake table:

Go to the Arrange online button.

Log in:
For yourself: with DigiD
For a company: with eHerkenning

Then fill in the intake form. We will then get a good picture of your plan. Clearly state what your idea is and the location where you want to execute it.

This is how you apply for an environmental permit:

Go to the Environment Counter.
Do the permit check. You can apply for the permit right away.
The activities for which you are applying for an environmental permit may have disadvantages for nature. The preservation of protected areas, plant or animal species may be at risk. Indicate this clearly in the application.

Cost

We charge a fee for handling your idea at the intake table. (see fees regulation)

When you apply for an environmental permit, you usually don't just pay the cost of the environmental permit. Often the municipality also charges planning costs. These are costs for preparation and supervision of the construction of facilities. For example, green areas, new roads or the filling of ditches. There is a calculation model that the municipality uses to determine planning costs.

Are you applying for an environmental permit after a positive recommendation from the intake table? Then we will reduce the costs of the intake table to the costs of the environmental permit application. (See fees regulation 2025)

Description

By submitting your plan to the intake table, you will discuss your idea with the municipality and how best to approach it. This will increase your chances of obtaining an environmental permit. After a positive recommendation, you can apply for an environmental permit.

The environmental permit gives permission in the areas of housing, space, environment and nature. You may need an environmental permit for various activities. Among others for:

build
demolish
fell trees
Constructing a driveway or exit driveway
restore, remodel or demolish a monument
place an advertisement

There are 2 procedures for the environmental permit. The regular procedure applies to a regular environmental permit. Does your permit application have a major risk for the environment? Then the extended procedure applies. Do you want to change something to a national monument? Then it is possible that the extended procedure applies. Some activities have also been designated by the council for the extended procedure.

You do not need a permit for some activities. For example, consider construction activities such as:

A partition between balconies or roof terraces.
Awnings or shutters.
Dormers and outbuildings on the rear of a building or on a side not facing the public area, provided 1 meter behind the front facade line.
You (almost) always need a permit to install an air conditioning unit.

Do your plans not fit into the municipality's environmental plan? Do you want to deviate from it? Then apply for an environmental permit for an "out-of-plan environmental plan activity" (BOPA).

Environmental counter consultation hours

If you have any questions, please visit the Heerlen Environmental Counter on Thursdays from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00. Please make an appointment .
We will help you with the first steps you need to take.
You cannot come to the consultation hour if you have already submitted an application for an environmental permit.

Requirements

Your plan must comply with all legal rules and requirements. For example, consider technical regulations, regulations from the environmental plan and the requirement that the appearance must fit in with the environment. Does your plan require a deviation from the environmental plan? Then your plan may not be at the expense of the designated function in an area. For example, if you want to build a business premises in a residential area, this may not lead to less living pleasure for local residents.

Term

Standard procedure: you will receive the decision within 8 weeks. If that does not work? Then the municipality may extend this period once by 6 weeks.

Extended procedure: you will receive the decision within 6 months. If that does not work? The municipality may extend this period by 6 weeks.

Objection and appeal

In a regular procedure, you file an objection with the municipality. In an extended procedure, you give your opinion (viewpoint) on the draft decision.

Do this within 6 weeks. After that, do you disagree? Then you can appeal to the court. You may be able to appeal afterwards.

Is there no response within the 6-week appeal period? Then the permit is final.

Provide all data as complete as possible.

Learn more

About your neighborhood - information about decisions in your area

Information on appealing to the Council of State

Calculation models for plan costs

Environmental permit information

Track your case on jeleefomgeving.nl

When you apply for an environmental permit, we process your application in the portal jeleefomgeving.nl. There, everything concerning your permit application is conveniently arranged in a message box. For each new message that is ready for you in your message box, you will receive an e-mail notification from noreply@jeleefomgeving.nl at your e-mail address. This way, you don't have to miss anything and you can take timely action if necessary for the processing of your application.

Follow your case

How does it work?

If you apply for a permit, you will receive a message from the email address noreply@jeleefomgeving.nl
That e-mail is notification that a message from the Municipality of Heerlen is waiting for you in your message box on jeleefomgeving.nl.
In that email is a "View your message" button. If you click that, you will see your email address already known to the municipality.
Then click log in.
Then a login code will be sent to your email address. You must enter that code. After that, click "log in" again.
Then you have access to your message box on jeleefomgeving.nl.
After logging in, you will see your recent posts on the left and your recent cases on the right. This way you can easily track your case.
Each time a new message is ready for you in your message box, you will receive an email notification from noreply@jeleefomgeving.nl at the email address you provided.

Questions about applying online?

Before you submit your application, come to the consultation hour of the Heerlen Environmental Counter. We will then help you on your way.

Make an appointment

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