Environmental permit contrary use

How does it work?

Suppose you want to turn a house into an office, but the zoning plan states that only residential use is allowed in this building. Then you may still turn the house into an office with an environmental permit for non-conforming use.

For example, you need an environmental permit for contrary use when:

• you live in a building intended for businesses;
• you are using a piece of public space as a garden;
• you start a hotel, restaurant or bed & breakfast in your home;
• you use a property as a store, office, business, factory or warehouse;
• you use pasture as a camping area, festival site or landing pad;
• you are using a vacation home as a residence.

What to do.

• Use Ruimtelijkeplannen.nl to view the area's zoning or other spatial plans.
• Check what the rules are for land and building use.
• If you want to use the land or buildings in a different way, use the Permit Check of the Environment Counter to check whether you need a permit.
• If you need a permit, apply for an environmental permit for contrary use through the same Omgevingsloket.

What should I bring?

To apply for an environmental permit for contrary use, you will need the following:

• Your DigiD (individuals) or eHerkenning (business owners).
• Data and documents that show how you currently use the land or a building.
• A description of how you want to use the land or a building.
• A site plan and/or construction drawing of how it looks now and how it will look later.
• A description of the impact of your plan on the area.
• A description of how your plan conflicts with the municipality's zoning ordinance.
• Your motivation: why do you want to implement your plan?
• A report on the archaeological value of the site (if you have such a report).

How long does it take?

• Within 8 weeks, you will be notified whether you will receive the permit.
• The municipality can extend the decision period by 6 weeks.
• If the municipality does not decide within this period, you will automatically receive the permit.

Decision deadline 6 months for complex applications

• For complex applications, which, for example, have a major impact on the environment, there is a 6-month decision period.
• The municipality may extend this deadline by 6 weeks.
• If the municipality does not decide within this period, you will not automatically receive the permit.