Building permit: Building measures not requiring approval

The construction of buildings in building classes 1 - 3 (i.e. the unfinished floor of the common rooms is no more than 7 m above the ground surface), residential buildings up to the high-rise limit (the unfinished floor of the common rooms is no more than 22 m above the building surface) and outbuildings/ancillary facilities for these buildings that are within the scope of a development plan do not require planning permission if

• the building project does not contradict the provisions of the development plan
• no exceptions or exemptions are required,
• no deviations are required under building regulations,
• the municipality has confirmed to the developer that the development is secured,
• the developer has appointed a designer within the meaning of Section 57 of the Hessian Building Code (HBO),
• the proofs of stability have been prepared by an authorized person and
• the proofs of sound and heat insulation have been prepared by an authorized person.

Instead of a building application, all that is required in these above-mentioned cases is that the client essentially submits the design, with the exception of the structural engineering verifications. More detailed information on this can be found in the Building Submission Decree. The structural engineering certificates must be submitted before the respective construction phases are carried out. As no building permit is issued, the client is solely responsible for compliance with all requirements that his building project must meet. However, the client may request that a building permit procedure be carried out for the above-mentioned construction measures.
You can find detailed explanations/requirements regarding the exemption from approval under § 64 HBO.

Smaller, less significant structures listed in the annex to § 63 HBO do not require planning permission under certain conditions.

Construction may begin one month after receipt of the building documents by the municipality.