When do you need a building permit?

The establishment or modification of building projects is governed by the state building regulations of the federal states. There are no general specifications as to when you need a building permit. Much is regulated in individual cases by law. In general, it can only be said that every larger building that has certain structural requirements or can affect the interests of neighbors requires a building permit.

Clarify the situation with a preliminary building inquiry

• The easiest way is to go to your local building authority and ask there, without obligation, when you need a building permit for a specific project. The more precisely you describe your construction project, the more precise the answers you will get.
• You can also submit a formal preliminary building request, with which you clarify the admissibility in case of doubt and save yourself the need to prepare an expensive building application.
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• Before the exemption for residential buildings of low to medium height, the approval process ranges from a simplified procedure to the traditional building permit process.

The purpose of use determines when the building authority has a say

• The purpose is important. So it depends on whether you have a residential building, a garage or want to build a garden house. In the garden shed it is important whether you only want to park bicycles there or whether you should also have people. Of course, the floor space and volume also determine the question of when you need a building permit.


When do I have to submit a building application? - You should know that before you start building

When a building application is submitted, a building project only really gets ...

• Last but not least, it depends on the location on your property, which can significantly affect the interests of the neighbors. It also depends on whether your property is outside, inside or within the scope of a development plan.

Up to 30 m³ usually no building permit required

• In general, you should assume that the building with no indoor lounges up to a volume of 30 square meters is usually free of permits. If, on the other hand, you erect a garden shed outdoors, you have to issue a permit.
• Even if you do not need a building permit for your building project, you still have to take into account the stipulations of any existing development plan. Ask your city administration whether there is a development plan for your area.
• Note that winter gardens, like greenhouses, almost always require a building permit. The same applies to patio roofs, carports and garages. Because of their type of use, small animal stalls do not have a building permit with up to 5 square meters of enclosed space.

Building needs planning security

• Always keep in mind that the building authorities can still cause you to not approve one even after many years building to be torn down again at your own expense.
• In this respect, it is always cheaper to clarify in advance when you need a building permit. If necessary, contact an architect and get advice.