Municipality of Nijmegen: applying for a planning permit

Placing a wall, fence, or hedge

• Using plants or trees as a boundary: No permit is needed.
• Installing a fence, wall, or gate on the boundary: Neighbor law applies, meaning both you and your neighbors are responsible for the boundary. It's important to agree with your neighbors before starting the project.

Constructing or modifying a driveway

You need an environmental permit to create or alter a driveway that connects to a public road.

Demolition

Notify the municipality 4 weeks before starting demolition.

No demolition notification is required if:

• You have no more than 10 m³ of demolition waste, and the waste does not contain asbestos.
• You are demolishing a temporary or seasonal structure.
• Asbestos-containing materials in specific installations or structures are professionally removed.

Cutting down or uprooting trees

• You must own the tree, hedge, or the land where it stands.
• You cannot apply for a permit to cut down or clear municipal trees.

For detailed information on trees, consult the tree value map (in Dutch).

To determine whether a private tree can be felled, a valuation table is used to assess its societal value based on five criteria:

1. Unique tree: exceptional due to age, size, or rarity.
2. Tree structure: contribution to local tree networks.
3. Visual value: enhances the area's aesthetic.
4. Health: overall condition of the tree.
5. Impact on local climate: cooling effect, air purification, etc.

The societal value must outweigh the reasons for removal. So if a tree scores high in any of these areas, a felling permit is unlikely to be granted. For further details, see the municipal webpage Kappen of rooien van bomen, which explains (in Dutch) the valuation table in depth.

The permit check shows which documents you need to enclose with the application. An architect or contractor can help you with this.

This is how you apply for planning permission:

1. Go to the Omgevingsloket.
2. Do the vergunningcheck.
3. See whether you need a permit.
4. You can apply for the permit immediately online or in writing. Use the Omgevingsloket for both options. Log in: 
   * for yourself: with DigiD 
   * for a company: with eHerkenning

Good to know

You may start work only once you have received the permit. If you start earlier, you may be required to undo the work at your own expense.

The costs depend on which permit you apply for. You pay even if you do not get the permit. The costs are listed on Nijmegen.nl (in Dutch).

The municipality will need 8 weeks (short procedure) to assess your application. It will sometimes take 26 weeks (extended procedure). This will be the case, for example, if you want something different from what is stated in the omgevingsplan (environmental plan). The municipality can extend the period once for a period of 6 weeks.