REALWorld Law

Planning / zoning

Permission for new construction or designated use

What is the process for obtaining permission for development or carrying on a new designated use?

Belgium

Belgium

In the Flemish Region, the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon Region, there is no distinction made between a ‘permission for designated use’ and a ‘building permit’. A permission for designated use is covered by a 'building permit'.

In the Flemish Region, applications for environmental permits for building are granted mostly by the municipal council. In principle, the municipal council’s administration decides within 30 days upon the ‘completeness of such request’. Executive decrees specify further which instances need to be detailed in specific permit procedures, and whether a public consultation will be held.

The timing of the procedures is similar to the procedures on the municipal level.

In the Brussels Capital Region and in the Walloon Region, applications for building permits have to be granted by the municipal council in which the property is situated. There is a similar procedure in the Flemish region.