For each of these materials, the authority that processes the permit application (the Municipality, the Region or Brussels Environment) may need to request the opinion of the firefighters to ensure the prevention of fire risks.
Reforms to the "Code Bruxellois de l'Aménagement du Territoire" (CoBAT) and the "Ordonnance relative aux permis d'environnement" (OPE) have modified the procedure for requesting the opinion of the fire service for urban planning and environmental certificates and permits, as well as for subdivision permits.
As of September 1, 2019, it is no longer up to the applicant to obtain the opinion of the fire department prior to submitting his or her application, but it is the authority competent to issue the permit (commune or Region) that is responsible for requesting this opinion from the fire department. There is, however, an exception for requests to modify an environmental permit under article 7 bis of the environmental permit ordinance. In this case, it is up to the applicant to request the opinion of the fire department beforehand, and to append it to the application for a modified environmental permit.
Applicants for permits and certificates must now attach to their permit or certificate application the fire department notification form and its accompanying description sheet, both duly completed and signed.