ᐅ Building in Rural Areas – Converting an Old Barn into a Single-Family Home
Created on: 11 Nov 2024 11:06
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Team_T3Hello everyone,
My husband, my young son, and I want to build a single-family house on my parents’ property.
We live on an old farmstead (house + barn + garage building) in a rural area outside the village in Bavaria. Unfortunately, my parents’ house, where they also live with us, is becoming too small as the family is growing. Our question to you is whether there is a possibility for us to demolish the barn, which is about 15 x 15 meters (49 x 49 feet) and located about 10 meters (33 feet) away from the parents’ house, and build our own home there.
A few more details: We no longer practice farming but have forestry operations, and the barn likely wouldn’t survive a harsh winter anymore. We cannot remodel or extend my parents’ house because it was built in 1843, and the costs for renovation to current energy standards would be unfeasible.
Water and electricity supply are available.
We would also create a connection to my parents’ house by sharing a new heating system (wood chip boiler).
What do you think our chances are? Do you have any advice on how we should proceed?
Thank you in advance for your help.
My husband, my young son, and I want to build a single-family house on my parents’ property.
We live on an old farmstead (house + barn + garage building) in a rural area outside the village in Bavaria. Unfortunately, my parents’ house, where they also live with us, is becoming too small as the family is growing. Our question to you is whether there is a possibility for us to demolish the barn, which is about 15 x 15 meters (49 x 49 feet) and located about 10 meters (33 feet) away from the parents’ house, and build our own home there.
A few more details: We no longer practice farming but have forestry operations, and the barn likely wouldn’t survive a harsh winter anymore. We cannot remodel or extend my parents’ house because it was built in 1843, and the costs for renovation to current energy standards would be unfeasible.
Water and electricity supply are available.
We would also create a connection to my parents’ house by sharing a new heating system (wood chip boiler).
What do you think our chances are? Do you have any advice on how we should proceed?
Thank you in advance for your help.
B
Buchsbaum06611 Nov 2024 11:48You won’t have a chance there.
The old buildings are grandfathered in and can certainly be renovated. Structural changes or expansions are not allowed.
A barn cannot be granted a change of use in the open countryside.
The old buildings are grandfathered in and can certainly be renovated. Structural changes or expansions are not allowed.
A barn cannot be granted a change of use in the open countryside.
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nordanney11 Nov 2024 11:54Team_T3 schrieb:
What do you think our chances are? Or do you have any advice on how we should proceed? Check the law:
Whether the new construction (or renovation) will actually be approved must be clarified in advance with the authorities. A good architect with experience in open land areas should support you in this process. But basically, you meet the necessary requirements, and a well-founded argument should help with the new construction.
I estimate the likelihood of a change of use / new construction at 75%,
B
Buchsbaum06611 Nov 2024 13:13Let’s read the cited law.
Projects that serve an agricultural or forestry business.
A residential building does not serve this purpose. The law is rather referring to a hunting lodge, a barn, or a machinery hall.
You cannot even erect a grill pavilion on the property.
And especially in Bavaria, the regulations are very strict. Of course, you can try. Go to the local building authority for an initial consultation. Then possibly submit a formal building inquiry. After that, you will have to see how to proceed.
I estimate the chance of receiving a positive response to such a building inquiry, which would then be binding, at under 5 percent.
Projects that serve an agricultural or forestry business.
A residential building does not serve this purpose. The law is rather referring to a hunting lodge, a barn, or a machinery hall.
You cannot even erect a grill pavilion on the property.
And especially in Bavaria, the regulations are very strict. Of course, you can try. Go to the local building authority for an initial consultation. Then possibly submit a formal building inquiry. After that, you will have to see how to proceed.
I estimate the chance of receiving a positive response to such a building inquiry, which would then be binding, at under 5 percent.
N
nordanney11 Nov 2024 13:41Buchsbaum066 schrieb:
The chance of receiving a positive response to such a preliminary building inquiry, which would then be binding, I see as less than 5 percent.Dear @Team_T3, that is the difference between a crackpot and a qualified answer. The fact that the building serves the business purpose can be argued with an architect—not very easily, but still without extreme effort.