Revocation of Permits in Amsterdam: Sector-Specific Rules and Exceptions
In Amsterdam, special laws deviate from the General Administrative Law Act (Awb) for revocation decisions, particularly concerning environmental, construction, and hospitality permits. The Environmental Act (Ow) centralizes this under Article 5.13, imposing stricter requirements for hearing procedures and interest balancing, taking into account the city's dense urban context.
Specific Sectors in Amsterdam
In the construction sector (Article 5.1 of the Wabo/Ow), revocation is common in cases of misuse, such as illegal Airbnb rentals in canal houses or violations in the Eastern Docklands. For environmental permits (Chapter 10 Ow), the public interest takes precedence, for example, in cases of noise pollution in De Pijp. Local regulations of the Municipality of Amsterdam, such as the Housing Ordinance, add additional layers. Exceptions include:
- No revocation if a third-party stakeholder could reasonably rely on the continuation (principle of legitimate expectations), e.g., long-term terrace operations on Dam Square
- Statutes of limitations in sector-specific laws and the Amsterdam General Local Ordinance (APV)
- Transitional arrangements during legislative changes, such as the transition to the Environmental Act for Zuidas projects
Practical Tips for Amsterdam Entrepreneurs
Always verify the specific legislation in addition to the Awb and consult the Municipality of Amsterdam’s website or the Environmental Counter. In cases of revocation due to non-compliance, negotiate enforcement deadlines through the city districts. This article highlights nuances for entrepreneurs in Amsterdam hotspots such as the Jordaan or IJburg, where pressure on permits is high.