Rotterdam has updated the aesthetic regulations. The new Aesthetic Regulations 2025 Quality for the Future offers more opportunities for sustainable building and renovation. What exactly is an aesthetic regulation? 5 questions and answers.
1. What is an aesthetic regulation?
Rotterdam has had an aesthetic regulation since 2004. The regulation contains rules about how buildings in Rotterdam should look. These rules apply, for example, if a resident wants to place a dormer window, but also if a new residential tower is built. And everything in between.
2. Why is there an aesthetic regulation?
The goal of the aesthetic regulation is to keep the built environment attractive and recognizable. New buildings and renovations must fit the environment in which they are located. For example, someone may not just put up a bright orange building or build a dormer window that looks completely different from that of the neighbors in the same row of houses.
3. What has changed in the new aesthetic regulation?
Until now, the concept of sustainable building hardly appeared in the aesthetic regulation. The renewed regulation is not only more compact and user-friendly, but also encourages sustainable and circular building. That means building with as little damage to the environment as possible and as much reuse of materials and resources as possible.
There are now quick check criteria for sustainable building: clear rules that quickly give an idea of what is and is not allowed. For example, regarding the placement of solar panels. Usually, no permit is needed for panels on the roof, but a permit is required for panels on the facade. The quick check criteria indicate that you may place solar panels on the facade, but only if they do not border the public area. Otherwise, they would be too dominant in the streetscape.
At the same time, the regulation states that developments in the field of sustainability are progressing very quickly. As a result, the rules may need to be adjusted again soon.
4. Why have these changes been made?
These adjustments to the aesthetic regulation are necessary because Rotterdam, like other cities, must and wants to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement. In it, countries have promised to reduce CO2 emissions to prevent further global warming. Sustainable building helps with this.
5. Where can I find more information?
The new aesthetic regulation is on the new website www.welstandsnota.rotterdam.nl. Link opens an external page in a new browser tab.. There you can easily check the criteria that apply to your address.