Garage Law in North Rhine-Westphalia: What You Need to Know in 2026

Do you own or rent a garage in North Rhine-Westphalia? Then you should be aware of the specific regulations. NRW has comparatively detailed and restrictive rules within Germany — and violations can result in fines of up to €500.

Was macht NRW besonders?

Since 2009, there has been no separate garage regulation. Instead, the relevant rules have been integrated into the Special Building Regulation (SBauVO). Specifically, they can be found in Part 5, Sections 121–142. In addition, these provisions were last updated on September 30, 2022.

Die rechtlichen Grundlagen:

• Special Building Regulation NRW (SBauVO) – Part 5
• Building Code NRW (BauO NRW 2018)
• Regulation on Structural Engineering Inspections

Types of garages

Small garages: Up to 100 m² – the typical single garage

Medium-sized garages: 100–1,000 m² – stricter fire protection requirements

Large garages: Over 1,000 m² – comprehensive safety regulations, supervision required

What may the garage be used for?

In North Rhine-Westphalia, a strict designated-use principle applies: garages are used exclusively for parking motor vehicles (exceptions are mentioned later in the text). The parking space must remain usable at all times.

What is permitted?

Motor vehicles and accessories:

• Cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles

• Winter and summer tires

• Child seats, tools, care and maintenance products

• First-aid kit, warning triangle

Fuels (small garages only):

• Up to 20 liters of gasoline (tightly sealed, shatterproof containers)

• Up to 200 liters of diesel (tightly sealed, shatterproof containers)

What is prohibited?

❌ Bicycles – in NRW, bicycles are not considered permissible garage contents and must not obstruct the parking space
❌ Misuse of purpose: workshop, hobby room, party basement, storage room
❌ Excessive storage of furniture, household goods, or garden equipment

Important: According to Section 51 (8) of the NRW Building Code (BauO NRW), the vehicle must always have sufficient space.

Fire protection

Small garages: Up to 20 liters of gasoline and 200 liters of diesel are permitted

Medium-sized and large garages: Even small quantities of flammable substances outside of vehicles are prohibited

In medium-sized and large garages, interior walls and doors must be made of non-combustible materials.

Electromobility in NRW

Good news: Electric vehicles and wallboxes are explicitly permitted. Installing a wallbox does not require approval, as it is considered part of the technical equipment.

Important points to note:

• Installation must be carried out by a qualified electrical contractor (DIN VDE standards)

• Registration with the grid operator (up to 11 kW) or approval required (from 11 kW)

• Residual current device (RCD / FI circuit breaker) required

• For rental properties: landlord’s consent is required (Section 554 German Civil Code / Section 20 Condominium Act)

Building permit

No permit required if:

• Maximum average wall height of 3 meters

• Maximum floor area of 30 square meters

• Location within a built-up area

• No differing requirements in the development plan

Setback distances:
Generally, a distance of 3 meters to the neighboring property is required. Construction directly on the property boundary is permitted with a maximum length of 9 meters per boundary.

Fines and inspections

Penalties: Fines of up to €500 may be imposed for violations. Example: In 2015, a garage owner was fined over €500 for using a garage as a hobby room.

Inspections may be triggered by:

• Complaints from neighbors

• Reports to the public order office (Ordnungsamt)

• Notifications from landlords

Important: Inspections must be announced in advance. In the event of damage, insurance companies may refuse to pay benefits.

Renting out a garage

Many landlords in NRW include clear contractual clauses:

• Designated use: “exclusively for parking motor vehicles”

• Explicit specification of permitted accessories

• Prohibition of misuse of purpose, including consequences

There is no general obligation to rent out vacant garages, but local municipal regulations may apply.

Practical tips

1. Take inventory: Remove bicycles – prohibited in NRW

2. Observe fire safety rules: Store only permitted amounts of gasoline/diesel

3. Keep the parking space clear: It must be fully usable at all times

4. Review the rental agreement: Strictly comply with contractual clauses

5. If unsure: Contact the local building control authority

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is there a separate garage regulation in NRW?
No. Since 2009, the regulations have been integrated into the Special Building Regulation (SBauVO), Part 5.

Why are bicycles prohibited?
NRW argues that bicycles take up space and interfere with the use of the garage for motor vehicles.

How high are the penalties?
Up to €500 for violations. Higher fines may apply in cases of serious misuse.

Am I allowed to charge my electric car?
Yes, explicitly permitted. Installing a wallbox does not require approval.

Do I need a building permit?
No, not if the garage is a maximum of 30 m² in size, has a wall height of up to 3 meters, and is located within a built-up area.

Conclusion

NRW has the strictest garage regulations in Germany. The key points:

✅ Garages may only be used for motor vehicles
✅ Bicycles are prohibited in small garages (a specific NRW rule)
✅ Electric vehicles and wallboxes are permitted
✅ Fines of up to €500
✅ Regulations are set out in the Special Building Regulation (SBauVO)

These rules pursue important objectives: fire safety, traffic safety, and the preservation of parking space. Take the regulations seriously — a brief review can help you avoid unnecessary trouble.

Planning a garage in NRW?

As an experienced garage manufacturer, we at ZAPF Garagen are very familiar with the strict requirements of the NRW Special Building Regulation. Our prefabricated garages comply with the relevant building law requirements in North Rhine-Westphalia in accordance with approvals and type statics — from fire protection requirements and setback distances to minimum structural dimensions.

Get in touch with us — together we will find the perfect garage solution that meets all legal requirements in North Rhine-Westphalia.

References

This article is based on the following sources and legal foundations:

NRW legal regulations:

• Regulation on the Construction and Operation of Special Buildings (Special Building Regulation – SBauVO) – Part 5: Garages (Sections 121–142), version dated September 30, 2022
  Source: RECHT.NRW.DE

• Building Code for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (BauO NRW 2018) dated July 21, 2018

• Regulation on Structural Engineering Inspections (BauPrüfVO)

• Section 2 (8) BauO NRW – Parking space requirement

Federal legal foundations:

• Section 554 German Civil Code (BGB) – Structural alterations by the tenant

• Section 20 Condominium Act (WEG) – Structural alterations (condominium ownership law)

Technical standards:

• DIN VDE standards – Electrical requirements for wallbox installation

• Technical Connection Rules for Low Voltage (TAR) – Grid connection regulations

Model regulations:

• Model Garage Regulation (M-GarVO) of ARGEBAU

Professional sources:

• Sicherheitsingenieur.NRW – Garage regulations in North Rhine-Westphalia

• Bussgeldkataloge.de – Garage regulations for NRW

• Archinet.de – Garage regulations in NRW: rules and obligations

• Aroundhome.de – Building permits and garage regulations for NRW

• Wikipedia – Garage regulations (overview)

Additional sources:

• Hazardous Substances Ordinance and TRGS (Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances)

• Ministry of Home Affairs, Local Government, Building and Digitalisation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Disclaimer:
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulations may change. Always check the currently applicable regulations in NRW or consult the responsible building control authority.