Omgevingswet

Omgevingswet, or the Environment and Planning Act, is a Dutch reform of environmental and spatial planning law. Proposed in the mid-2010s and enacted to simplify governance, its aim is to replace a large set of separate laws with a single, coherent framework for environment, space, building and related procedures. The act consolidates around 26 existing laws, including the Wet algemene bepalingen omgevingsrecht (Wabo), the Wet milieubeheer, the Wet Water, and the Wet op de Ruimtelijke Ordening (Wro), among others.

Key features of the Omgevingswet include the introduction of an integrated permit, the omgevingsvergunning, which replaces multiple separate permits for activities that affect the environment, space or building. Projects are guided by an omgevingsplan and, at the municipal level, by an omgevingsvisie, enabling standardized rules for specific areas and simplifying procedures for applicants. The Omgevingsloket online (OLO) provides a digital portal for applying, tracking and enforcing permits. The law emphasizes public participation, risk-based assessment, and sustainable development, with responsibilities distributed across government levels: municipalities generally handle permit decisions and local rules, while provinces and water authorities provide oversight and support, under a national framework of implementing regulations.

Implementation and status: The Omgevingswet was designed for phased implementation with transitional arrangements. Since its introduction, parts of the system have been rolled out and municipalities have begun operating under the new regime, with the full nationwide effect pursued through successive stages. The overarching goal is to improve efficiency, transparency and coordination across environmental, building and spatial planning domains.