Do I need a building permit for my garage?

Many homeowners in Germany want to build a garage eventually. Whether as protection for the car, as storage space, or with a carport, garages are useful and keep things tidy. Before starting construction, there is one important question to ask:

Do I need a building permit for my garage?

In this article, you will find out when you need to submit a building application for your garage. You will learn about the building regulations for prefabricated garages and prefabricated concrete garages. We also explain what the state building regulations say about garages. There are differences between the federal states.

We also tell you when a garage can be built on the property boundary. With our free quotation service, you can also compare garage and carport prices and save up to 30%.

Drei Personen in Geschäftskleidung betrachten gemeinsam einen digitalen Bauplan auf einem Tablet. Eine Frau und zwei Männer diskutieren konzentriert über das gezeigte Bauvorhaben – symbolisch für Planung, Beratung und Genehmigungsprozesse im Bauwesen.

 

When is planning permission required for a garage?

Planning permission for a garage is required if your planned garage is not a non-procedural building project. This means that there are certain conditions under which you can build a garage without a permit. If these do not apply, you will need a permit from the relevant building authority.

 

The following points are decisive for the approval requirement:

  • The size of the garage (floor area and height)
  • Whether it is erected on the property boundary
  • Whether it is built directly on the border or free-standing
  • Whether the garage is located at the front or rear of the property
  • The respective federal state and the state building regulations for the garage

In many federal states, garages that are small, low and built on the edge of the property are considered permit-free. Nevertheless, all building regulations must be complied with – regardless of whether they are prefabricated garages or prefabricated concrete garages.

 

Garage without planning permission – overview by federal state

Federal state Permit-free under the following conditions
Baden-Württemberg Up to 30 m² gross floor area, max. 3 m height, boundary development up to 9 m
Bavaria Up to 50 m² floor area, max. 3 m height, boundary development up to 9 m
Berlin Up to 30 m², only on the rear part of the property
Brandenburg Up to 50 m² and max. 3 m height possible
Bremen Up to 50 m² possible without approval
Hamburg Up to 30 m² permit-free, border development up to 9 m
Hesse Up to 50 m² permit-free, max. 3 m height
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Up to 30 m², border development permitted up to 9 m in length
Lower Saxony Up to 40 m² permit-free, max. 3 m height
North Rhine-Westphalia Up to 30 m², max. 3 m high, boundary development 9 m
Rhineland-Palatinate Up to 50 m², max. 3 m, border development 9 m
Saarland Up to 36 m², max. 3 m high, observe distance to the road
Saxony Up to 50 m², max. 3 m high, 9 m at the border
Saxony-Anhalt Up to 50 m², max. 3 m high, permit-free
Schleswig-Holstein Up to 30 m², border development up to 9 m
Thuringia Up to 40 m², max. 3 m high, permit-free

 

 

Why do the regulations differ?

In Germany, building law is a matter for the federal states. Each federal state has its own state building regulations for garages, which regulate what is permitted and what is not. In Bavaria, a prefabricated garage can be built without a permit. In Rhineland-Palatinate, a building application is sometimes required.

You should therefore check before building whether you can build a prefabricated garage with or without planning permission. You can also use tools such as our garage configurator to help you with planning.

 

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Moderne Einzelgarage mit geöffnetem Tor, in der ein schwarzer BMW Z4 steht. Die Garage ist in ein gepflegtes Wohnumfeld mit weißem Haus, Gartenzaun und Gartentor eingebettet – ein Beispiel für eine genehmigte Garage direkt am Wohnhaus.

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Our smart solution

The ZAPF garage configurator

With our garage configurator, you can design your garage according to your wishes in just a few clicks – from the size to the fittings.

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Prefabricated garage, carport or brick garage?

Depending on budget, space and requirements, different designs are possible:

  • Prefabricated garage: quick to assemble, often with standard dimensions
  • Prefabricated concrete garage: durable, robust, space-saving
  • Garage with carport: combination of closed and open parking space
  • Brick garage: individual, but expensive and more subject to approval

No matter which type you choose, the building regulations are important. This applies to prefabricated concrete garages and other types. The state building regulations for garages must also be observed.

 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How big can a garage be without permission? Depending on the federal state, between 30 and 50 m², usually max. 3 m high.

What does a building application for a garage cost? Between €100 and €500, depending on the federal state and the amount of work involved.

Can I use the garage for storage? No, only as a storage room for vehicles – otherwise it may not be permitted under building law.

Does a garage with carport require planning permission? Depends on the federal state – a separate building application is often required.

 

Garage with a plan – how to build with legal certainty

Before you build a garage, obtain information from the building authority or an experienced provider such as ZAPF. Use tools such as the garage configurator. Compare offers.

With our free service, you can compare prices for garages and carports. You can save up to 30%.

How to build safely. Avoid fines and make sure that your garage complies with the regulations. This applies to prefabricated garages from Germany, prefabricated concrete garages or garages on the property boundary.

 

Single garage with black sectional door on a paved area surrounded by plants.

Configure your garage in 3D now and experience it virtually in 3D on your own property!

With our garage configurator, you can easily and intuitively put together the size, fittings, doors, windows and extras in just a few steps. We will then arrange a non-binding consultation with you – on the basis of which you will receive an individual offer, naturally at a fair price and without any obligation to buy. Experience your configured garage in an impressive 3D visualization during the non-binding consultation appointment.

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