Neighbour burns wood — who do I report wood-smoke nuisance to?
For wood-smoke nuisance in Amsterdam follow this route: (1) Stookwijzer.nu — first check if it's a “red” burning advisory day via stookwijzer.nu (RIVM); on red days an urgent no-burn advisory applies. (2) Buurtbemiddeling Beterburen — free mediation, 020-723 5360. (3) GGD Amsterdam for health complaints (asthma, lung issues) 020-555 5911. (4) City of Amsterdam for structural complaints via meldingen.amsterdam.nl. Wood burning isn't legally banned in the Netherlands but falls under the duty of care (art. 7.22 Bouwbesluit) and can trigger enforcement on nuisance.
Step by step
- 1Check Stookwijzer.nuRIVM publishes a daily burning advisory per region (green/orange/red). Red days: burning strongly discouraged. Screenshot = evidence.
- 2Talk to your neighbourMany don't realise their smoke drifts into others. Friendly chat — ask to burn only on green days or with dry wood.
- 3Beterburen mediationCall 020-723 5360. Two trained volunteers bring you together. Free, confidential, ~80% success rate.
- 4GGD for health complaintsCough, asthma attacks, lung issues from smoke? Report to GGD 020-555 5911. They can run a health assessment and advise the city.
- 5Structural city reportOngoing nuisance: report via meldingen.amsterdam.nl. City can dispatch inspector and impose penalty payment under duty of care.
All contacts
Frequently asked questions
Is wood burning legally banned in the Netherlands?
No, not legally. But it falls under the duty of care (art. 7.22 Bouwbesluit): no harm to others. On red Stookwijzer days burning is strongly discouraged; for nuisance the city can enforce.
What is a “red” Stookwijzer day?
On red days air quality is poor (low wind, foggy) and smoke particles linger. RIVM advises NOT to burn. Check daily at stookwijzer.nu.
Can my neighbour burn wood every evening?
Legally: yes, provided no nuisance. Practically: daily burning in a dense city often qualifies as “unreasonable hindrance” and can trigger municipal action, especially with health-complaint evidence.
Which Dutch cities have a local wood-burning ban?
No Dutch city (status 2026) has a blanket wood-burning ban, but Utrecht, The Hague and parts of Amsterdam actively enforce on nuisance and pilot “smoke-free zones”.
What's the value of GGD Wood-Smoke Composite?
GGD has published an annual neighbourhood “wood-smoke nuisance indicator” since 2022. High values: city can proactively enforce. Check your neighbourhood score at ggd.amsterdam.nl/houtstook.
Can multiple complainants together have more effect?
Yes strongly. Gather 3-5 neighbours with same complaint via WhatsApp group. Send joint letter to city. With “area-wide” signal: enforcement priority rises and city can launch a collective action programme.
Sources
🔎 Common search queries
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