If you want to rebuild, repair or demolish a monument, you usually need an environmental permit. You apply for the environmental permit through the online Omgevingsloket.

Note

Did you apply for a permit in 2023? If so, different rules may apply to you.

Approach

Contact the municipality to discuss your plans. Do this well before you apply for the permit. That way your application will have a better chance of success.

This is how to apply for an environmental permit for a monument:

  • Go to the Environment Counter.
  • Do the permit check. You can then apply for the permit right away.
    • for yourself: with DigiD
    • For a company: with eRecognition
  • You may need the following documents:
    • a building report or cultural history report
    • building specifications
    • photos
    • a situation sketch
    • a brief description of the building to be demolished
    • A drawing of the building with dimensions (e.g., an old construction drawing)
  • The monument committee of the municipality reviews your application. 

Cost

For the cost of components of the environmental permit, see Dues Ordinance 2024.

Description

A monument is a protected structure. Do you want to rebuild, repair, modify or demolish a monument? Then you usually need a permit. This is an environmental permit for a monument.

For ordinary maintenance, you do not need to apply for a permit. Ordinary maintenance is anything that does not change the appearance of the inside or outside of the property. For example:

  • keeping the paintwork in the same color
  • minor repairs with the original materials

Even alterations inside the monument can often be done without a permit. For example, removing a non-historic kitchen or ceiling. Does your monument have parts that have no monumental value? For example, a new barn? Then building activities on these parts are also often permit-free.

There are 2 procedures when applying for an environmental permit. The extended procedure applies to national monuments or if the municipality does a nature assessment.

For all other changes, the ordinary procedure applies.

Terms

You apply for an environmental permit for a monument if:

  • You are the owner of a municipal monument
  • you want to restore, substantially rebuild or (partially) demolish the monument
  • You want to demolish a structure within a protected town or villagescape
  • the environmental plan states that you must apply for an environmental permit

The municipality can determine how you must demolish in a protected town or villagescape.

Term

Ordinary procedure: you will receive the decision within 8 weeks. The municipality can extend this period once by 6 weeks.

Extended procedure: you get the decision within 6 months. The municipality may extend this period by 6 weeks.

Objection and appeal

In an ordinary procedure, you object to the municipality. In an extensive procedure, you give your opinion (view) 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.