Placing a Sea Container
In many cases you may place a sea container on your own property, but whether you need a permit for a sea container depends on the location, the use of the container and the rules of your municipality. It also matters whether it is a temporary placement or a more permanent solution.
On this page we explain what to consider when placing a sea container on private or commercial property. Think about permits, rules for placing a sea container, the zoning or intended use of the plot, access to the location and the space needed for delivery and placement.
Placement of a storage container in a garden with a truck and truck-mounted crane.
Quick answer
In many cases this is allowed, but it depends on the rules at your location, the use of the container, the duration of the placement and the exact position on the plot. The rules for placing a sea container therefore differ by address and situation.
First use the permit check, then review which rules apply to your location.
Please note: rules may differ by municipality and location. Always check the result for your own address.
Check extra carefully if...
Whether you may place a sea container on your property and which rules apply depends on the Permit Check, the rules in the Environment Desk and the situation on your plot. Check your situation extra carefully if any of the points below apply to you.
Check extra
Will the container remain in the same spot for an extended period? Then a prior check is extra important. According to IPLO on temporary structures, a temporary structure has a maximum maintenance period of 15 years at the same location.
Check extra
If the container is used for storing belongings, materials, or household effects and not temporarily for construction, you should carefully check your situation. IPLO states that (sea) containers used temporarily for construction are permit-free, but this exception does not automatically apply to the storage of, for example, household effects.
Check extra
If the container is placed close to the property boundary, at the front of the property, or in a visible location, local regulations are more likely to apply. According to IPLO on ancillary buildings, municipalities can include rules in the environmental plan regarding construction on or near the property boundary.
Check extra
Even if something appears to be exempt from permits, rules regarding its appearance may still apply. IPLO on permit-free construction explains that rules in the environmental plan regarding severe disfigurement of a structure's appearance may still apply.
Check extra
If you are unsure whether the container at your location complies with the regulations, always check this via the Permit Check. The Dutch Government states that you can check there whether you need a permit or have to submit a notification.
Check extra
Even if placement is possible according to the rules, the container must still be able to be delivered safely. Therefore, check in advance whether there is sufficient space for the truck, unloading, and the final placement of the container on your property.
Always check your situation in advance if the container will remain in place for a long time, is not being used temporarily for a construction project, is close to the property boundary or is visible from the public road. Unsure? First use the Permit Check and view the rules for your location via Rules on the map.
Typical differences in practice
The rules are not determined only by whether a property is private or commercial. More important are the location, the use, the duration of placement and the rules that apply there. In practice, however, the questions that arise most often do differ between private and commercial property.
Always check the Permit Check in advance and view the rules for your location via Rules on the map.
Private land
On private land, questions often concern a container in the garden, in the yard, in the driveway, or elsewhere on private property. In many cases, placement is possible, but you need to check extra carefully if the container will remain for a longer period, is close to the property line, or is visible from the public road.
Is the container not being used temporarily during construction or renovation, but primarily for storing belongings or household goods? Then checking beforehand is extra important. Also, pay attention to the subsoil, delivery space, and accessibility of your property.
Commercial premises
In the business sector, questions more often concern placement on an industrial estate, construction site or storage area. Here too, placement is often possible, but you must check extra carefully if the container becomes part of a permanent setup, remains in the same place for a longer period, or if you want to place multiple containers at one location.
For business use, practical considerations often play a role, such as logistical space, internal routing, safety on site, and sufficient space for delivery and positioning.
Container in the garden, on the yard, on the driveway or elsewhere on your own land
Container at a business park, construction site or storage area
Is this allowed in my garden? Will the container be close to the property boundary? Is the container visible from the public road?
Does this functionally fit on the site? May I place multiple containers? Will this become a fixed setup?
The container remains in place for a long time, is not temporarily used for renovation work, or is placed in a prominent location
The container is used structurally, multiple containers arrive at one location, or the setup becomes part of the company's interior design
Stable ground, sufficient delivery space and accessibility of the plot
Logistics space, safe positioning, internal routing and sufficient room for delivery and use
Always check the Permit Check and the rules via Rules on the Map in advance.
Always check the Permit Check and the rules via Rules on the Map in advance.
Important: the biggest difference is usually not just private or commercial use, but mainly the location, use and duration of placement. Always check your situation at plot level.
Brief advice
In many cases, it's possible to place a shipping container on your property, but whether you need a permit for a shipping container always depends on the location, its use, the duration of placement, and the rules that apply to your plot. The difference usually lies not only in private or commercial use, but primarily in the practical situation and the environmental plan.
Therefore, always check the Permit Check beforehand and review the rules for your location via Rules on the Map.
Are you unsure about your situation? Please check the official rules for your location before ordering or placing a container.
The container is placed directly at the desired location using a crane or tilting system. Would you like to know more, for example about the delivery process or how to prepare the delivery location for the placement of a sea container? Then view the page with delivery details.
Looking for a sea container? Also view our sea containers for storage and transport.
Large sea container with twice the length of a 20ft container. Suitable for transport or storage of large quantities of goods.
View 40ft sea containerThe most versatile solution for large-scale storage or international transport.
View 20ft shipping containerCompact sea container for storage or transport when a 20ft container is too large. Ideal for locations with limited space.
View 10ft sea containerIn addition to standard sea containers, smaller storage containers are also available. These compact containers are ideal for storage at homes, businesses or construction sites where less space is available.
Spacious compact storage container with extra storage capacity. Ideal for storing materials, tools or stock.
View 8ft storage containerCommonly used compact storage container for gardens, construction sites or business premises. Provides secure storage without taking up much space.
View 6ft storage containerPractical small storage container for secure storage of tools, stock or materials at homes and businesses.
View 5ft storage containerVery compact storage container for small storage needs. Ideal for tools, materials or storage at locations with limited space.
View 4ft storage container10ft Shipping Container (Dry Van) – RAL 5010 Blue – New (CSC)
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20ft Shipping Container (Dry Van) – RAL 7016 Anthracite Gray – New (CSC)
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20ft Used Shipping Container (dry van) – Grade A (CSC)
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20ft Half-Height Open Top Shipping Container New – RAL 7016 Anthracite Gray
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40ft Sea Container (Dry Van) – RAL 9005 Black – New (CSC)
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40ft Used Shipping Container (dry van) – Grade A (CSC)
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