Activities in quiet areas

A quiet area (stiltegebied) is an environmental protection area in the Netherlands. In designated quiet areas, only souonds appropriate to the area are allowed. You can recognise these areas by the blue 'quiet area' 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. These are set out in the environment plan of the municipality in which the quiet area is situated. Often the province's environmental regulation also contains rules for quiet areas. 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 noise in a quiet area. For example, it is often forbidden to:

• drive a car, moped, or other motor vehicle off the roads or paths
• organise tours or races 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 management, 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 wish to carry out a noisy activity in a quiet area? For example, an event? If so, you must apply for an environment and planning permit from the province or municipality. You can do this via the Environment and Planning Portal Omgevingsloket (in Dutch). The permit states which rules you must comply with for the activity.

Some activities are always prohibited. You cannot obtain a permit for these. Which activities are prohibited depends on the specific quiet area. You can look this up via the Regels op de Kaart tool (Omgevingsloket, in Dutch).

For a number of activities, other permits are also required. 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 Omgevingsloket permit check (in Dutch). And you can apply directly for all the environment and planning permits you need at the same time.