Licensing requirements: what you need to know

The licensing requirement means that you authorisation prior authorisation to carry out a certain activity. With a license application, we can assess whether your activity complies with the rules of our Water Board Regulations. We also check whether there will be any negative consequences for water safety, water quality, or water quantity. These activities licence not be carried out without licence .

A licence the document that grants you authorisation the water board to carry out an activity. The licence conditions that you must comply with. These prevent your activity from having a negative impact on water safety, water quality, and water quantity. In this way, we protect the water system together.

A licence :

• what you are going to do: a clear explanation of the activity;
• what is important for the location: the conditions depend on the location, such as a dike, waterway, or protection zone;
• how you may carry it out: for example, which materials or methods you may use;
• measures to prevent damage: such as protection against pollution or flooding;
• What you need to check and report: during and after performing the activity.

Not all activities within our area of responsibility require a permit. You licence a licence for activities that pose risks to water management. Examples of activities that may require a permit include:

• discharges into surface water: for example, wastewater or other substances;
• constructing structures in or along waterways: such as bridges or dams;
• groundwater extraction: whereby water is extracted from the ground;

Not only what you do, but also where you do it, is important. For example, a licence is often licence for flood defenses than for locations with only surface water. If no permit is required, general rules often apply. This is often combined with an obligation to provide information.

License check

We recommend always checking the Permit Check . This allows you to check whether your activity requires a permit and what other rules apply.

You licence apply for a licence via the Omgevingsloket. Log in with your DigiD or eHerkenning (for companies). In the Omgevingsloket, you must:

• indicate the location of your activity;
• select the form that corresponds to your activity;
• Fill in the required information and add documents, such as maps or reports.
• indicate how you involved the community in your plans and how they responded to your plans.

Importance of a complete application

A complete application is important for fast processing. Missing information may cause your application to be temporarily suspended. Therefore, please check carefully that you have included all the necessary information and documents. 

Draft request

Would you like to check whether your application is complete first? If so, submit a draft request during your application process. This will ensure that no important information is missing from your final application. 

More information

Do you have more questions about how to apply for a licence the Omgevingsloket? Please consult the Help Center for additional support. Would you like more information about a specific activity? Visit our information pages about activities. There you will find step-by-step explanations for common activities and the requirements that apply to them.

Procedure

Once you have submitted your application via the Omgevingsloket, you will receive a confirmation of receipt. We will then check whether your application is complete. If any mandatory information is missing, we will temporarily suspend processing until you have provided the missing information. Once your application is complete, we will assess whether your activity complies with the rules and whether additional measures are necessary.

Directive

We use guidelines to assess your application. This document provides us with clear frameworks for assessing whether your activity complies with the rules and is safe for the water system. You can view the guidelines via the following link: 

• Guideline for licensing 2026-1

instalments

The standard processing time for an application is eight weeks. Sometimes this may take longer or be extended. This may happen, for example, if additional information is required or if your activity is complex. We will notify you if this is the case.

Costs

licence a fee for applying for a licence . The amount of this fee depends on the nature and scope of your activity. Current rates can be found in our fee regulations.

Please note: Even if your application is rejected, you must still pay the application fee.

Objection  

Would you like to object to (a decision about) a licence? You can do so within six weeks of the announcement. We publish licenses that have been granted on officielebekendmakingen.nl. You can read how to lodge an objection on the page Objecting to an administrative decision.  

authorisation ownership 

Is the location where you carry out the activity (partly) owned by someone else? Then youauthorisation private lawauthorisation from the (co-)owner. If that (co-)owner is the water board, please contact the Land Use Team via our contact form or via our general telephone number 072 582 8282.  

The land properties of the water board can be found on this map:

• Land properties HHNK

Do I always have to licence a licence ?

No, this depends on the activity you want to carry out and, above all, on the location. For example, a permit is often required for a flood defense, while the same activity at a location with only surface water may be subject to an information requirement.

Therefore, perform the Permit Check on the Omgevingsloket website to check whether a licence is licence for your activity.

What happens if I don't licence ?

If you carry out an activity that requires a license without licence, we may take (enforcement) action. 

Can I add to my application after I have submitted it?

Yes, you can supplement your application while it is still being processed via 'My Environment Desk'.

Do you have any questions or are you having trouble figuring something out? Feel free to contact us via our contact form or our Customer Contact Center (KCC) at 072 582 8282. 

We are happy to help you. Together, we can ensure safe, clean, and sufficient water!