Activities in quiet areas

In designated quiet areas, only sounds appropriate to the area are allowed. Do you want to do something in a quiet area that makes noise? Then you usually need to apply for an environment and planning permit.

A quiet area (stiltegebied) is an environmental protection area in the Netherlands. You can recognise the areas by the blue silence signs. The Living Environment Atlas (Atlas Leefomgeving, in Dutch) has an overview of quiet areas in the Netherlands.

Rules for quiet areas

Noise regulations apply in quiet areas. You can find these in the environment plan of the municipality in which the quiet area is located. Rules can also often be found in the province's environmental ordinance. You can find all the rules via the Environment and Planning Portal (Omgevingsloket), using the Rules on the map tool (in Dutch).

General rules

You are not allowed to make loud noise in any quiet area. For example, it is often forbidden to:

• drive a car, moped, or other motor vehicle off the roads or paths
• hold racing or touring events with cars, mopeds, or other motor vehicles
• use devices or objects that make a lot of noise, such as:

  • musical instruments and sound equipment
  • public address systems and sirens
  • fireworks and bangers
  • power tools
  • model boats, drones, and jet skis

You are allowed to make noise in a quiet area if you:

• are carrying out work that is needed in the area. For example, nature or road maintenance, or agricultural work
• have an environment and planning permit for an activity that disturbs the silence

Apply for an environment and planning permit

Do you want to carry out a noisy activity in a quiet area? For example, hold an event? If so, you must apply for an environment and planning permit from the province or municipality. You can find this information via the Environment and Planning Portal Omgevingsloket (in Dutch) and apply directly for the permit. The permit states which rules you must comply with for the activity.

Some activities are always prohibited, and you cannot obtain a permit for these. Which activities are prohibited depends on the quiet area. You can look this up via the OmgevingsloketRules on the map tool(in Dutch).

Sometimes your activity also requires other permits. For example, if the activity is harmful to plants and animals. Or if the quiet area is also a Natura 2000 area. You can check this with the Omgevingsloketpermit check (in Dutch). And you can apply directly for all the environment and planning permits you need at the same time.

Online application procedure via Message Box

Message Box has not yet been linked to the Environment and Planning Portal Omgevingsloket. This means that you cannot apply for an environment and planning permit via Message Box. Message Box is a secure email system that enables you as an entrepreneur to exchange digital messages with Dutch government agencies.