What is it?

If you suspect that rules of the municipality are not being followed, you can request enforcement. You then ask the municipality to make a decision about this. The municipality can decide to take enforcement action, but can also refrain from doing so or tolerate it. With tolerance, the situation that is actually not allowed remains in place. This is only possible if there are special circumstances. It is also important that the municipality makes a decision. You can object to this and lodge an appeal. The rest of the procedure is the same as for a decision on an application for an environmental permit, for example.

When can you request enforcement?

An enforcement request can be filed at any time. However, it is important here that you find out which agency should enforce the rules. After all, the idea is to submit the request to the right government agency. When rules of the municipality are not followed, the municipality has a duty of principle to enforce. However, the municipality cannot monitor everything and then act on its own. With an enforcement request, you alert the municipality to situations that may be in violation of laws and regulations. It is then up to the municipality to investigate further and make a decision.

Are you an interested party or not?

You can only file an enforcement request if you are an interested party. You are an interested party if your interest is directly affected by a decision. For example, you are an interested party if your neighbor erects a structure for which no permit has been issued, or if the factory nearby causes odor or noise pollution. But you are not an interested party, for example, if you complain about someone building a shed in a village further away without a permit.

What should you submit?

Reports or complaints about your residential or living environment can be made by submitting a report. Examples include parking problems, a sagging sidewalk, broken playground equipment, a traffic unsafe situation or overhanging branches.

Do you want to report a rule violation that is bothering you? And are you an interested party? Then fill out the enforcement request.