Uitvoeringsrichtlijnen ambachtelijke bedrijven in De Pijp – Amsterdam Craft Business Guidelines
The Uitvoeringsrichtlijnen ambachtelijke bedrijven in De Pijp is a regulatory document issued by the Municipality of Amsterdam (Gemeente Amsterdam), specifically the District of Amsterdam South (Stadsdeel Zuid). Effective from September 28, 2023, these guidelines provide the framework for interpreting and implementing the spatial protection of craft businesses as established in the Bestemmingsplan De Pijp 2018. The document serves as a binding directive for permit verification and enforcement within the designated planning area.
The scope of these guidelines covers locations where craft businesses were present at the time the Bestemmingsplan De Pijp 2018 came into force on December 22, 2018. The regulations apply specifically to properties with the zoning designations Gemengd – 1 or Gemengd – 2. The document defines the criteria for what constitutes a craft business, provides a non-exhaustive list of existing addresses in Bijlage 1, and outlines the evidence required for retrospective assessments, such as rental contracts and annual financial statements.
The following sections detail the specific criteria used to identify protected craft activities and the procedural requirements for maintaining the characteristic functional mix of the De Pijp neighborhood.
Conditions for Protection
A business is protected under these guidelines if it meets four cumulative conditions defined by the municipality to ensure the preservation of local craft industries against displacement by financially stronger functions.
- Location: The address must be within the planning area of the Bestemmingsplan De Pijp 2018.
- Zoning: The property must carry the specific zoning designation of Gemengd – 1 or Gemengd – 2.
- Historical Presence: The craft business must have been active at the location when the zoning plan took effect on December 22, 2018.
- Definition: The activity must satisfy the formal definition of a Ambachtelijk bedrijf (Craft business).
Definition of a Craft Business
Article 1.7 of the zoning plan defines a craft business as the professional manufacturing, processing, or repair of goods, primarily through manual labor. The following indicators are used to verify this status:
- Professionalism: The activity must be a significant part of a person's livelihood, typically meeting the Dutch Tax Authority's threshold of 1,225 hours per year.
- Manual Labor: Production is primarily manual, though modern techniques like 3D printing or laser cutting are permitted if the workshop remains prominent.
- Limited Sales: Retail activity must be subordinate to the production or repair process; for example, a shoemaker selling laces is permitted, but a pure retail store is not.
- Local Production: Goods must be manufactured, produced, or processed on-site rather than simply being purchased and resold.
Retrospective Testing and Evidence
In cases where a business is no longer present, the municipality performs a retrospective assessment (toetsing achteraf) to determine if the location's craft protection still applies. This assessment relies on several indicators.
- Rental Contracts: These are reviewed for space descriptions, surface area, price, and the intended use of the premises.
- Annual Accounts: Financial statements from the Kamer van Koophandel are used to inspect inventory, machinery, and stock levels.
- Building Layout: Floor plans and historical permit records are examined to identify former workshop areas and production facilities.
- Public Sources: External data from websites, social media, and real estate platforms (e.g., Funda in business) provide evidence of the business's public appearance and scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a craft business leaves a protected location in De Pijp?
Under the Bestemmingsplan De Pijp 2018, the landlord is required to ensure that only another craft business is established at that specific address.
Does a 3D printing workshop qualify as a craft business?
Yes, modern production methods such as 3D printing or laser cutting are considered craft activities as long as the workshop plays a prominent role in the business operations.
Is a small bakery always considered a craft business?
No. It is only a craft business if it contains the ovens where bread is manufactured and baked on-site; a shop that only finishes pre-baked bread is classified as retail or light catering.
What is the minimum hour requirement for a craft business?
The guidelines reference a threshold of 1,225 hours per year, aligning with the Dutch Tax Authority's criteria for professional enterprise status.
Can a craft business also sell products to the public?
Yes, but the sale of goods must be subordinate to the manufacturing or repair activity and should ideally involve products made or processed on-site.
What zoning designations are subject to these craft business guidelines?
The guidelines apply specifically to properties zoned as Gemengd – 1 or Gemengd – 2 within the De Pijp 2018 planning area.
