HomepageFire safety: occupancy permit and notification of occupancy
If you occupy a business property, industrial building or other structure in the Netherlands, you have to take measures to ensure fire safety. In doing so, you must always observe the builiding regulations of the Buildings Decree 2012 (Bouwbesluit 2012). These regulations apply to locations such as catering establishments, childcare centres, offices, shops and sporting venues.
For more hazardous types of use, you must also apply for a permit or submit a notification of occupancy. Go to the Dutch-language website 'Omgevingsloket online' to find out which situation applies to you. You can also contact your local municipal authority in these cases.
All-in-one Permit for Physical Aspects
The permit you may need is the All-in-one Permit for Physical Aspects (omgevingsvergunning). This permit was referred to as an ‘occupancy permit’ (gebruiksvergunning) until 1 October 2010. You need this permit to use buildings which offer overnight accommodation to more than ten people or daytime accommodation to more than ten people who are younger than 12 or have a physical or mental disability. Examples of such buildings include hospitals, day nurseries, primary schools and hotels.
You also need an All-in-one Permit for Physical Aspects for some non building structures (e.g. floating disco or floating hotel). The fire protection regulations of your local municipality apply to these non-building structures.
You apply for the permit from your local municipal authority. More information about how to apply can be found on the 'All-in-one Permit for Physical Aspects' page.
Notification of occupancy
For certain types of buildings, a notification of occupancy (gebruiksmelding) will suffice. More specifically, the buildings in question offer accommodation to more than 50 people and include secondary schools, offices, restaurants, sports facilities, shopping centres and supermarkets.
If you are required to submit a notification of occupancy, you are allowed to do so at the same time as your application for an All-in-one Permit for Physical Aspects for other activities. This is not mandatory, however. You submit the notification of occupancy to your local municipal authority.
Online application procedure via Message Box
If you make the notification of occupancy via Omgevingsloket online, you can ask for your application process to be handled via Message Box by stating your Message Box name with your application.
