Environment permit for felling trees
Are you inconvenienced by a tree and want the municipality to remove it? If research shows that the tree needs to be cut down, an application for an environmental permit is almost always required. In some cases, this also applies if you want to remove a tree on your own property.
Environmental Permits
In most cases, the municipality must apply for an environmental permit if a tree in a public space needs to be cut down due to, for example, illness, severe shade nuisance or road or construction project construction.
When may the municipality cut down trees without a permit
In the following situations, the municipality does not require a permit:
- Emergency logging, the tree is an immediate hazard to the surrounding area.
- Or if the cross-section of the trunk is less than 10 cm. measured at 1.30 meters in height.
- Or if the tree is dead.
If the felling request is made, local residents will receive a letter from the municipality about this request and the reason for the felling. Where possible, these trees are replaced with other trees. If the replacement is not possible at the location itself (for example, because there are cables and pipes in the ground), the municipality will look for another place in the neighborhood. Neighbors will receive a letter after the felling with information about the planting of new trees.
Cut down own tree
If you are bothered by a tree on your own property, in certain cases you must also submit a felling request.
Map of logging applications
You can follow the application for the environmental permit on www.officiële bekendmakingen.nl or via the app Omgevingsalert. Here you can read how interested parties can possibly object to the felling of the tree.