Change restrictions in accordance with the German Building Code

To ensure that no construction work is carried out during the preparation of a development plan that conflicts with the objectives of the future plan, municipalities can issue a change ban to safeguard their land-use plans.

This means that building projects may no longer be carried out in the plan area and existing buildings may not be removed. Furthermore, it is not permitted to make significant or substantial value-enhancing changes to properties and structures whose changes do not require approval, consent or notification.

The change ban is adopted by the municipality as a statute and published in the usual local manner.

You can find out whether your property is affected by a change ban by contacting your local authority.

Exceptions to an imposed change ban can be permitted if they do not conflict with public interests.

The change ban is effective for 2 years and then expires.

The period of validity can be extended by one year and, if special circumstances so require, by a further year. In any case, the prohibition of change shall cease to apply as soon as and insofar as the development plan has been completed in a legally binding manner.