ᐅ Space between garage and neighbor

Created on: 5 Sep 2020 12:15
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SebastianH.
Hello everyone,

We have mostly completed our planning for the house and garage. One question remains. How close should our garage be to the neighboring property line? Should we build the garage directly up to the neighbor’s fence, or leave a narrow strip (maybe 0.5m (20 inches)?) for something like an eaves edge or similar? We are quite uncertain about this. The construction company says it is quite common to build right up to the boundary. But what about issues like moisture? The structure would be quite exposed there, wouldn’t it?

Regards,
SebastianH
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pagoni2020
5 Sep 2020 13:51
It depends on how much space you can leave on that side. A few centimeters (inches) are not enough for planting, performing repairs, or similar activities.

So either you can leave a decent gap and design this area accordingly, allowing access for walking or repairs, or I would place it directly on the boundary. In any case, it’s better to leave a few centimeters (inches) away from the neighbor’s property rather than just one centimeter (less than half an inch) over, and make sure not to impose on the neighbor’s land.

Whether moisture or similar issues play a role there will also depend on the neighbor and what they do on their side at that spot.

Our garage or carport will be built directly on the boundary, and the neighbor can do whatever they want there; we agreed on this right from the beginning.
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SebastianH.
5 Sep 2020 14:02
First of all, thanks for your tips. Instead of planting, we planned to have a drip edge as a strip. The idea was that nothing would grow there, and it would also protect against rain.
If I place it directly next to the fence, the wall wouldn’t have any protection, right?
So, if I understand you correctly, it’s either a gap wide enough to walk through or directly up against the boundary line.
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pagoni2020
5 Sep 2020 14:12
I would definitely NOT create a "gap." The neighbor might rightfully build their structure directly on the boundary line, and then you would be left with a dark passage that’s hard to get through. So either have a comfortably walkable width (for a wheelbarrow, handling tools, etc.) or build directly on the boundary. Visually, I also think a half-measure doesn't look good. Either a clearly intentional distance or none at all.
Pinky03015 Sep 2020 14:15
As far as I know, a garage is only allowed as a boundary structure if it is built exactly on the property line, right? Our garage looks quite unattractive from the side. But I don't care at all because only the neighbor can see it.
11ant5 Sep 2020 14:42
If you were my neighbor and asked me, my answer would be that I prefer you to look directly at your garage wall rather than a leaf collection corridor; I would remove the fence along the length of the garage.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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Escroda
5 Sep 2020 15:05
SebastianH. schrieb:

Regarding 1) The garage has no roof overhang on the side.

This suggests building on the boundary.
SebastianH. schrieb:

Regarding 2) The plot allows for a setback of up to 1m (3.3 feet) from the neighbor’s fence.

This suggests a 1m (3.3 feet) boundary setback.
SebastianH. schrieb:

Regarding 3) The neighbor has a fence there.

This supports a boundary setback. Ideally, enough space to pass through— in my opinion, 1m (3.3 feet). The question is whether the neighbor plans to build something else there soon, for example a garage, which would argue for building on the boundary instead.
SebastianH. schrieb:

Regarding 4) No idea, hence the question.

This suggests a boundary setback.
SebastianH. schrieb:

Regarding 5) We don’t know each other yet

see @hampshire
Pinky0301 schrieb:

As far as I know, a garage is only allowed as boundary construction if it is built exactly on the boundary, right?

In some federal states you must either build directly on the boundary or maintain a minimum setback, for example 1m (3.3 feet) in HE and NI, 0.5m (1.6 feet) in BW. In others, the setback is flexible, like in this case (ST) or where I live (NRW). I find the one-meter setback reasonable.