General Municipal By-law (APV)

Do you run a shop or a hospitality or catering business? You will have to keep to the rules in the General Municipal By-Law.

Every Dutch municipality has its own General Municipal By-Law (Algemene Plaatselijke Verordening, APV). It lays down the municipal regulations with respect to public order and safety. It also states whether a permit is needed for certain activities. More information on the APV is often made available via the municipal website. You can also look them up through the Dutch-language search service at Overheid.nl. The APV applies to everyone who resides in the municipality.

What is the General Municipal By-Law (APV)?

The APV describes various regulations related to public order and safety in your municipality. These regulations cover the following matters:

Public order and safety

Protection of the environment and natural beauty

Other matters subject to municipal regulation

Regulations for the retail sector

The following issues referred to in the APV apply to the retail sector:

Regulations for the hotel and catering sector

The following issues referred to in the APV apply to the hotel and catering sector:

general regulations on permits and dispensations
performances on the road (for example parties, music, competitions, or street artists)
usability of public roads
supervision of events
supervision of catering establishments
supervision of overnight accommodation
supervision of gambling venues
opening and closing times
location of a terrace
nuisance and rowdiness
trade in a hotel and catering establishment
noise and light nuisance (for instance parties)
waste bins for food and drink
advertising and pamphlets

Public order and safety (General Municipal By-law)