A permit required under the Housing Act for constructing or renovating a building. The Housing Act specifies which constructions (including "buildings not intended for residence" or "structures not considered buildings" such as bridges, etc.) require a permit. The permit is issued by the municipality, which first checks whether the construction plan meets: the zoning plan; the Building Decree; the local Building Regulation, and the 'reasonable esthetic requirements'. In the Netherlands, the building permit was replaced on 1 October 2010 by a more comprehensive environmental permit. A permit can be issued for one or more buildings at the same time.