Luchthavenindelingbesluit Schiphol (LIB) – Airport Spatial Planning Decree Overview
The Luchthavenindelingbesluit Schiphol, commonly referred to as the LIB, is a national decree issued by the Rijksoverheid (Government of the Netherlands). This regulation is established under the framework of the Wet luchtvaart (Aviation Act) and governs spatial planning and environmental restrictions in the vicinity of Schiphol Airport. The version effective from July 1, 2025, defines the legal boundaries for land use, building heights, and safety measures required to maintain airport operations and public safety.
The document establishes two primary zones: the luchthavengebied (airport area) and the beperkingengebied (restricted area), as delineated in bijlage 1 and bijlage 2. Within these zones, the decree regulates activities based on externe veiligheid (external safety), geluidbelasting (noise impact), and vliegveiligheid (aviation safety). It provides specific definitions for building categories, including geluidgevoelig gebouw (noise-sensitive building), kwetsbaar gebouw (vulnerable building), and beperkt kwetsbaar gebouw (limited vulnerable building), referencing the broader Besluit kwaliteit leefomgeving.
Professional users can consult this document to determine the feasibility of development projects, including residential additions, commercial restructuring, and the installation of infrastructure such as wind turbines or high-intensity lasers near the airport.
Zoning and Area Designations
The decree divides the surroundings of Schiphol into specific zones with varying levels of restriction. These are visualized through multiple maps attached as annexes to the decree.
- Luchthavengebied: The area designated for the airport's runway system, as shown in bijlage 1.
- Beperkingengebied: The surrounding area subject to planning restrictions, as shown in bijlage 2.
- Bijlage 3: Maps specific safety zones, including Sloopzone woningen (demolition zones) for safety or noise reasons and Afwegingsgebied (assessment areas).
Noise and Safety Restrictions on Buildings
Chapter 2 details the regulations regarding the function and use of locations within the restricted area, focusing on preventing the development of sensitive structures in high-risk or high-noise zones.
- External Safety: In areas marked with number 1 on the map in bijlage 3, no new vulnerable or limited vulnerable buildings are permitted, except for existing non-residential use.
- Noise Impact: In areas marked with number 2 on the map in bijlage 3, no new noise-sensitive buildings are allowed.
- Restructuring: Under Artikel 2.2.1b, new office or industrial functions may be allowed in certain restricted zones provided the employee density does not exceed 22 persons per hectare.
Height Limits and Radar Interference
To ensure safe flight paths and the proper functioning of radar equipment, the decree imposes strict height limits on objects, including buildings, trees, and masts.
- Maximum Heights: Bijlage 4 and Bijlage 4a provide maps with reference heights relative to NAP (Normaal Amsterdams Peil).
- Radar Protection: Objects exceeding the values in bijlage 4a require an advisory from the Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT) to confirm they do not obstruct radar equipment.
- Exemptions: Specific development plans in Amsterdam and Haarlemmermeer, listed in bijlage 7, bijlage 8, and bijlage 8a, are exempt from certain height restrictions subject to specific conditions.
Bird Hazards and Wind Turbines
Specific activities that increase the risk of bird strikes or interfere with aviation technology are restricted in the zones surrounding the airport.
- Bird Attraction: Artikel 2.2.3 prohibits industrial food processing with outdoor storage, fish farms with outdoor basins, and large marshes or water bodies exceeding 3 hectares in the zone designated by bijlage 5.
- Wind Turbines: Fixed wind turbines are generally prohibited if they protrude through specified assessment planes, unless the ILT determines they do not interfere with radar functioning as per Artikel 2.2.4.
- Lasers: Installation of high-intensity laser systems (higher than 5 μW/cm²) is restricted under Artikel 2.2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a noise-sensitive building under the LIB?
A geluidgevoelig gebouw includes houses and other buildings defined in bijlage I of the Besluit kwaliteit leefomgeving. Houseboats and trailers are also included in this definition under Artikel 1.1.1.
Can I build new houses in the Schiphol restricted area?
Generally, new housing is prohibited in specific noise and safety zones. However, Artikel 2.2.1c allows for exceptions such as adding no more than 25 houses within an existing urban area or a maximum of 3 houses in a ribbon development (lintbebouwing).
What is the employee density limit for new offices in restricted zones?
According to Artikel 2.2.1b, new office or industrial developments in designated safety zones are permitted only if the number of employees does not exceed 22 per hectare.
Where can I find the maximum permitted building height for my project?
Maximum building heights relative to NAP are specified in the maps provided in bijlage 4 (aviation safety) and bijlage 4a (radar interference).
Are there restrictions on creating new ponds or wetlands near Schiphol?
Yes, Artikel 2.2.3 prohibits the creation of marshes or surface water areas larger than 3 hectares in the bird restriction zone specified in bijlage 5 to prevent bird strike risks.
Are existing buildings protected from these new regulations?
Buildings lawfully existing or permitted before specific reference dates (such as January 1, 2018, or January 1, 2015, depending on the article) are generally treated as bestaand gebruik and are exempt from certain new prohibitions.
