ᐅ Roof design – Only gable roof or half-hipped roof permitted (also known as clipped gable roof)

Hello everyone,

We are currently having difficulties with our construction company and our contact person.
We planned a bungalow (14.5 × 14 m) (47.5 × 46 ft) with a hip roof.
Now we have learned that according to the building plan / planning permission, only a gable roof or a half-hip roof (which we would be allowed to extend down to 1.50 m (5 feet) and would thus almost have a hip roof) is permitted.
However, as far as I know, a half-hip roof is not possible on an almost square floor plan. Is that correct, or is it still possible?

Hello Silvi,

Evolith schrieb:

We have now learned that according to the zoning plan, only a gable roof or a half-hipped roof (which we could extend down to 1.50 m (5 feet) and thus almost have a hipped roof) is permitted.

Whose responsibility was it to read and understand the zoning plan?

Evolith schrieb:

As far as I know, a half-hipped roof does not work on an almost square floor plan. Is that correct, or is it still possible?

What are the other specifications? Eaves height or ridge height? Knee wall? Roof pitch?


Regards, Bauexperte

From my point of view, this is the company. I am a layperson and have no idea what type of roof it is.

The ridge height is about 10.x meters (about 33 feet). The eaves height is 4.40 meters (14 feet 5 inches). The roof pitch is between 35 and 42 degrees.
We are building a bungalow.

Hello Silvi,

Evolith schrieb:

The ridge height is 10.×× m. Eaves height is 4.40 m (14 ft 5 in). Roof pitch is between 35 and 42 degrees.
We are building a bungalow.

Is a bungalow really allowed with a permitted ridge height of 10.00 m (33 ft) plus x? Are you sure? Or do you mean a one-story building with an attic?

Anyway – with the other parameters of eaves height 4.40 m (14 ft 5 in) and roof pitch 35–42°, you automatically get two gable ends since a pitched roof is formed, which also allows for a half-hip roof on a square floor plan. Of course, it’s a matter of cost regarding how much the required adjustments to the development plan differ from your original design in terms of allowable heights, roof pitch, and knee wall.

Regards, Bauexperte

No number of floors was specified, only the maximum ridge and eave height.
But yes, our bungalow is basically a single-story house with an attic. I didn’t know there was a distinction. Because of the steep roof pitch, the attic is almost suitable for conversion.

How much more expensive is the half-hipped roof? So far, we have planned very carefully. For almost all aspects, it has actually become a bit cheaper. However, I don’t think this will cover any sudden additional costs; covering these and arranging extra financing is not an option.

What frustrates me is that he had the zoning plan long enough and designed the house accordingly. We are now close to submitting the building permit / planning permission application. We hope that an exemption will be granted, but the outlook is not good.

Hello Silvi,

Evolith schrieb:

No number of floors is specified. Only the maximum ridge and eave heights.

Based on the data, it can be concluded that only single-story buildings are allowed, which, however, mathematically result in a two-story building; this is what the maximum permitted ridge height indicates. No further specification of the allowed number of floors is needed for this.

Evolith schrieb:

But yes, our bungalow is basically a one-story house with an attic. I didn’t know there was a distinction. Because of the steep roof pitch, the attic is almost suitable for conversion.

Then you are not really building a bungalow; it doesn’t have an attic.

Evolith schrieb:

How much more expensive is the half-hipped roof? So far, we have planned very well. On almost every point, it has been a bit cheaper. But I don’t think that will cover the sudden extra costs, and additional financing is not an option.

I can’t answer that for you, as I don’t know either your designs or your builder’s cost calculations.

Evolith schrieb:

It just frustrates me that he had the development plan long enough and still planned the house this way. We are about to submit the building permit application. We hope that an exemption will be granted, but it doesn’t look good.

I would check with the building authority beforehand; exemptions are only likely to be approved with good justification or if similar permissions have already been granted in the _immediate_ vicinity.

Regards, Bauexperte