ᐅ Setback distance from neighboring property / adjacent structure

Hello everyone,

this is my first post, so please be patient with me…

We are currently planning our own home. The plot is located in a well-established residential area with existing buildings. We are somewhat limited by the plot width of 14.5m (48 feet). In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the minimum distance to the neighboring property is three meters (10 feet). Since the plot is in a developed neighborhood, the setback distances for the two adjacent buildings were set at 2m (7 feet) and 2.5m (8 feet), respectively. In today’s conversation with a modular home builder, we were told that the minimum distance of 3m (10 feet) does not apply to us. According to them, we need to add 1m (3 feet) and 0.5m (2 feet) to the setbacks, meaning we would have to maintain a distance of 6m (20 feet) from both neighboring buildings. Honestly, I was a bit surprised and confused by this. As far as I know, only the distance to the property boundary is relevant, not the distance between buildings themselves. Do we really have to observe such large setbacks? Have any of you had similar experiences?

Thank you very much in advance for your support.

I am not familiar with the building regulations in NRW, but could it be related to fire protection requirements? Here, a minimum distance of 5 meters (16 feet) applies for fire safety reasons.

Dokholly schrieb:

In North Rhine-Westphalia, minimum setbacks of three meters (10 feet) from neighboring properties apply. Since the plot is located in an established residential area, setback distances of 2 meters (6.5 feet) and 2.5 meters (8 feet) were used for the two adjacent buildings. In today’s conversation with a prefab home builder, we were told that the three-meter (10 feet) minimum setback does not apply to us. According to them, we need to add 1 meter (3 feet) and 0.5 meters (1.5 feet) to these distances, meaning we would then maintain a six-meter (20 feet) setback from both neighboring buildings.

I don’t understand. Can you make a drawing?

So, the existing buildings did not adhere to the 3m (10 feet) rule, and now you are required to maintain the distance from the buildings themselves, not the property boundary, which would leave you with much less house width.

I would first check if there are any registered building encumbrances on the plot. You should know this already if you bought the property.

Otherwise, you can take a look at the building regulations of NRW, and you can also inquire at the responsible building authority.