Applying for an earth removal permit

Do you want to remove a large amount of earth? For example, to build a basement or a deep pond on your property? If so, you will need an earth removal permit. You can apply for the permit from your province.

NB: If it concerns earth removal in national waters or the North Sea (in Dutch), you must apply for an earth removal permit from Rijkswaterstaat.

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:

Province of Limburg

Here is some information from your province.

Earth removal permit

Any person who intends to excavate soil must have an earth removal permit (ontgrondingsvergunning). Excavation means digging up the soil, and thereby reducing it. This applies to soil on land (at surface level) and soil underwater. A layer of ground such as clay, peat, sand or gravel is removed in this operation. Examples of excavation include sand extraction, water storage and habitat creation. You must always apply for an earth removal permit, even if the soil is only reduced temporarily. An exemption applies in a number of cases. See ‘Excavation, permit-free’.

The conditions for obtaining an earth removal permit (ontgrondingsvergunning) include:
Excavation is not an end in itself, but must have added value for society, such as flood protection, nature development, water storage or recreation.
The aspects considered include archaeological, cultural-historical, environmental, nature, landscape, spatial planning, hydrology or geological interests.
The excavation corresponds to the zoning plan (bestemmingsplan).
The owner of the land gives their permission for the excavation.

You must include the following information with your application: the type of work you intend to carry out and the location (address); the amount and depth of earth to be removed; the type of material you intend to excavate; the date on which you intend to start the excavation and the estimated duration; the address details and permission of the landowner.

You must always apply for the excavation permit for both work in the land bottom and water bottom. Examples of excavation are: sand extraction, water storage, nature development. In some cases an exemption applies.

Legesverordening Limburg 2023 met bijbehorende tarieventabel 2023(opent externe website)

In principle, a decision period of twenty-six weeks applies to an earth removal permit.

Have you applied for a permit? If you do not agree with our decision on your application, you can appeal. Do this within 6 weeks. Do you then disagree with the decision on your objection? Then you can appeal to the court within 6 weeks.

Contact the servicedesk of the Province of Limburg:
Telephone number +31 43 389 9999.