Building or remodeling
What you need to know if you are going to (re)build
Anyone who wants to build or remodel or otherwise change something about their surroundings often needs a permit. For example, to build or demolish a house or cut down a tree.
From many to one
As of October 1, 2010, you can apply for many of these permits all at once, in one procedure. The Environmental Law (General Provisions) Act (Wabo) replaces more than 25 permits with a single environmental permit.
You can apply for this environmental permit through the Environment Desk. For an environmental permit the "permit check" can be completed via the Environment Counter and an application can also be submitted digitally.
If your application is approved, you will receive one environmental permit, with unambiguous requirements. For the permits you apply for all at once, only one objection and appeal is possible. Also, one controlling authority is responsible for supervision and enforcement. The Wabo also expands the category of permit-free structures.
Construction fees are payable to obtain an environmental permit. You can check the amount on the website overheid.nl
Go to the municipality
However, it is always wise to schedule an appointment with the municipality in advance in order to discuss the (re)construction work. Even if the "permit check" shows that no environmental permit is required for the building activity, you as the initiator may still be confronted with minimum requirements from the Building Code, the regulations from the Building Ordinance or regulations from the applicable zoning plan. In addition, the building plan must comply with reasonable standards of appearance as laid down in the Welstandsnota.
Thus, it is not strictly necessary to make an appointment but the positive completion of a permit check does not mean that the municipality agrees to the (re)construction plans.
The rules for building without a permit are sometimes quite complicated and do not apply to every building plan. If you want to build or renovate without a permit, your plan must meet a number of Requirements . Moreover, the municipality knows what else you need to consider. For example, the minimum requirements from the Building Code that your structure must always meet. These apply even if you are allowed to build without a permit.
The municipal building code
Building ordinances contain regulations for such things as the use of homes and land or the performance of construction work. The municipality draws up the Building Ordinance. Therefore, you can check with the municipality whether your building plans comply with the building ordinance.
The Building Code covers at least the following topics:
- Urban planning regulations such as roads on which construction is allowed, building lines or the placement of structures in relation to each other
- Fire safety installations
- Connection to utilities
- Preventing building on contaminated soil
- Terms of Use
- Demolition regulations
- Regulations for carrying out construction and demolition work regarding safety construction/demolition site, times, etc.
- Control by the municipality during construction
- How to apply for a permit.
The Construction Ordinance of the Municipality of Kerkrade can be viewed at Decentralized Regulation.
Don't forget your neighbors
By the way, don't forget your neighbors. Discuss your plans with them, even if you don't need a permit. After all, at the end of the day, you are building or renovating to increase your living comfort, and a neighborly dispute certainly won't do that.