ᐅ Is Building a Garage on the Property Boundary Allowed?

Hello everyone,

We have encountered a problem that is causing us some concern. Since 2013, we have lived in a semi-detached house built by a well-known developer in North Rhine-Westphalia. On our property, right next to the house wall, there is a 9m (30 ft) garage. In front of this garage, there is an approximately 5-6m (16-20 ft) long area providing access to both the house entrance and the garage (a driveway belonging to our property). Our driveway borders a municipal property at its front end. Next to our driveway, the former developer still owns a small plot of land, and adjacent to that is a neighboring property on which a multi-family building with a garden area has been constructed. When we leave the house, we currently face the garden of that multi-family building and the small vacant plot of land.

Now, the former developer has contacted us to ask if we would be interested in renting a garage he plans to build on that small vacant plot. This garage is causing us concern.

First, it probably won’t look very attractive to have a garage there – we would open the door and face a wall bordering our driveway. What worries us much more are the actual consequences for us. The garage would run along the entire length of our driveway and its rear right corner would touch the front left corner of our existing garage. Our driveway would become a "hidden area," which would naturally be very attractive to burglars. They could only be observed if someone walks into the driveway or leaves the house.

Our question is: Does the developer need a building permit / planning permission for this garage? Is there anything we can do to prevent it? Are there minimum distances that must be maintained? Or are there any other reasons that could obstruct the construction of this garage?

If you need more detailed information, please let me know. I hope I have explained everything clearly and look forward to any helpful feedback!

Thanks in advance!

Best regards

Make a sketch.
Otherwise, this sounds to me like the common issue with garages built right on the boundary line.
You have one yourself, but the neighbor’s garage is naturally unattractive and problematic.

Hi apokolok,

Attached is the sketch. As I mentioned, the aesthetic factor doesn’t concern us at all; if it’s just a plain white wall, that’s not a problem. The main issue is really the security aspect. When someone spots a driveway at night where they are unobserved… well, that thought already gives me an uneasy feeling.

Best regards

Subject to the answers to my questions, here are the most likely responses:

Ena1609 schrieb:

Does the developer need a building permit / planning permission for this garage?

No.

Ena1609 schrieb:

Is there anything we can do about it?

No.

Ena1609 schrieb:

Are there minimum setbacks that must be observed?

No.

Ena1609 schrieb:

Or are there any reasons that could potentially prevent the construction of this garage?

No.

Is there a zoning plan?
Is there a parking space regulation?
How long is the garage intended to be?
How high is the garage supposed to be?
What distance does the garage have from the other property boundaries?
Where is the street located?
Are there sidewalks?
Are there curb cutouts for drives?
Is parking allowed in front of the property now, or is there even a parking lane?
Is your house located directly on the street?

It’s best to check with the building authority whether he is allowed to build there. It is unusual for such a small plot of land to be permitted for construction. Here in Hesse, he would have a problem.

Fairplay-Haus schrieb:

Here in Hessen, he would have a problem.

What kind?