Environment and planning permit: felling trees

Published by:
Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO
Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO

Do you want to cut down, move, or drastically prune 1 or more trees? And do you want to do this within your municipality’s built-up area? Then in some cases you must apply for an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning).

When do you need an environment and planning permit for felling trees?

You will often need an environment and planning permit if you want to cut down trees within the area defined by your municipality as the built-up area for tree-felling (bebouwingscontour houtkap). This is sometimes the same as the built-up area and sometimes slightly larger. Check with your municipality the exact location of this area.

Are the trees you want to cut down within the built-up area for tree-felling? Then the municipality determines if you need to apply for an environment and planning permit. This depends on, for example:

You will find the rules for felling, moving or pruning trees in the environment plan, the tree-felling ordinance, and the General Municipal By-law ( Algemene Plaatselijke Verordening, APV).

Check if you need an environment and planning permit and apply

Go to the online service counter Omgevingsloket (in Dutch) to check if you need an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning). In the Omgevingsloket you can see which rules apply in your municipality, province, or regional water authority. You can then use the Omgevingsloket to apply online for an environment and planning permit or submit a notification.

Cutting down trees outside the built-up area

Do you want to cut down trees outside the built-up area? And are they also outside the area defined by your municipality as the built-up area for tree-felling? Then in most cases you do not need a permit. However, in some cases you must file a tree-felling notification and plant new trees.

Tip: The defined built-up area for tree-felling is sometimes larger than the built-up area. If the trees are within the defined area you often need a permit. You should always do the permit check before starting work (in Dutch).

Protect plants and animals

You may cause damage to birds, other animals, or plants by felling trees. For example, if you cut down trees during the breeding season (from 15 March until 15 July). You must check for potential damage in advance. Sometimes you must then apply for an environmental and planning permit for activities that may harm plants and animals (flora and fauna activities).

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