Environmental Act

The Environment Act deals with the space in which we live, work and relax: the physical environment. This new law merges laws and simplifies the rules for much of what you see, smell and hear outside. It allows you to become familiar with the rules and regulations of the various levels of government (municipalities, water boards, provinces and the state) all at once. The law applies to all residents, organizations and businesses.

What does the Environment and Planning Act mean for you?

You will deal with the Environment and Planning Act if you want to change something in your living environment. For example, if you have plans to renovate your house, want to organize an event, or if you, as an entrepreneur, want to have a warehouse placed next to your business premises. You are then the initiator and must find out whether you need a permit or need to submit a notification. This can be done in the new Digital Portal for the Environment and Planning Act. You may also have to deal with the Environment and Planning Act if someone else wants to change something in your living environment. For example, if your neighbors want to build a garage or if a company in the neighborhood wants to enlarge the office. You are then an interested party.

Until January 1, 2024

Did you receive or submit a permit before the introduction of the Environment Act? If the municipality, the water board or the province has already granted you a permit, it will remain valid. You do not have to do anything. If the municipality, the water board or the province still has to process the application, this will in principle be done according to the old law. You must ensure that all the necessary documents are submitted in time.

What changed after Jan. 1, 2024?

These are the most important changes for you:

• The Environmental Desk is the new desk where you can apply for a permit, submit a notification, or provide additional information online since January 1, 2024.
• The zoning plans of your municipality have been converted into an environmental plan since 1 January 2024. An environmental plan contains not only information about the purpose of a place. It also includes rules for noise, soil - and sometimes also for matters such as energy measures and sustainability.
• The Environment and Planning Act ensures that the government decides on your permit applications faster. A short procedure is the starting point in the Environment and Planning Act. The decision period is a maximum of 8 weeks for a short procedure. After that, objection and appeal are still possible. If your permit application is complex, your application may fall under an extensive procedure. In that case, the decision period is longer.