Hello everyone,
After searching for several years, we finally managed to secure a nice building plot! Soon we can get started. I am currently working on the floor plans so that our architect can submit the building permit / planning permission application.
I have a few questions and hope someone might have some experience to help me out
- We would like to install a small bathroom in the basement (habitable basement). Our home builder advised against it due to high additional costs caused by a lifting station and a backflow valve. For the washing machine and two sinks (kitchen area and laundry room), a small floor-level lifting unit would apparently be sufficient, but not for a toilet and shower. However, our basement specialist (whom we chose separately) believes that a small unit would also work in this case. Can anyone share some insight on this?
- Then, I need to plan an installation shaft on the ground floor, said our architect. Now I wonder, does the heating system (air heat pump with ventilation) have to be located in the basement directly under this shaft, or can it be placed somewhere else entirely?
- And one more thing, quite different Our plot is surrounded by other houses on three sides, and the street runs along the fourth side. The building envelope and the house are situated quite far (about 6-7 meters (20-23 feet)) from the street. We can easily install a 1.80 m (6 feet) high privacy fence on the three sides adjoining neighbors, as long as we keep a certain distance from the property boundary. But does anyone know how it works on the street side, well outside the building envelope? Does the building envelope have any influence on fences at all?
Kind regards
After searching for several years, we finally managed to secure a nice building plot! Soon we can get started. I am currently working on the floor plans so that our architect can submit the building permit / planning permission application.
I have a few questions and hope someone might have some experience to help me out
- We would like to install a small bathroom in the basement (habitable basement). Our home builder advised against it due to high additional costs caused by a lifting station and a backflow valve. For the washing machine and two sinks (kitchen area and laundry room), a small floor-level lifting unit would apparently be sufficient, but not for a toilet and shower. However, our basement specialist (whom we chose separately) believes that a small unit would also work in this case. Can anyone share some insight on this?
- Then, I need to plan an installation shaft on the ground floor, said our architect. Now I wonder, does the heating system (air heat pump with ventilation) have to be located in the basement directly under this shaft, or can it be placed somewhere else entirely?
- And one more thing, quite different Our plot is surrounded by other houses on three sides, and the street runs along the fourth side. The building envelope and the house are situated quite far (about 6-7 meters (20-23 feet)) from the street. We can easily install a 1.80 m (6 feet) high privacy fence on the three sides adjoining neighbors, as long as we keep a certain distance from the property boundary. But does anyone know how it works on the street side, well outside the building envelope? Does the building envelope have any influence on fences at all?
Kind regards
S
Schnuckline30 Mar 2017 04:01Hello,
I’m surprised someone other than me is still awake this late
I’m skeptical that a 20-40 cm (8-16 inches) setback could make the difference between complete darkness and bright, light-filled rooms, but that’s fine by me.
May I ask again what you mean by "absolutely apply"? That I can basically apply this "rule" to the street side as well? Even though the street side is outside our building zone? Or does the building zone have no influence on privacy windows? The same question applies to the garden shed. Six meters (20 feet) is already not bad, but is it allowed for the garden shed to be located outside the building zone? Or what setback do I need to observe from the street? I simply can’t find anything that regulates this. It’s always about agricultural land and other types of plots. Or is the street considered "other land"?
Where (if not in the local development plan) is it regulated what I’m allowed to put in front of my privacy fence, or that the ground needs to be greened? Does anyone know? Can I designate it as a path and pave it? Or create a small mound along the property boundary and scatter pebbles in between? Or just plant climbing plants, bamboo, or similar vegetation?
Questions, questions...
I’m surprised someone other than me is still awake this late
I’m skeptical that a 20-40 cm (8-16 inches) setback could make the difference between complete darkness and bright, light-filled rooms, but that’s fine by me.
May I ask again what you mean by "absolutely apply"? That I can basically apply this "rule" to the street side as well? Even though the street side is outside our building zone? Or does the building zone have no influence on privacy windows? The same question applies to the garden shed. Six meters (20 feet) is already not bad, but is it allowed for the garden shed to be located outside the building zone? Or what setback do I need to observe from the street? I simply can’t find anything that regulates this. It’s always about agricultural land and other types of plots. Or is the street considered "other land"?
Where (if not in the local development plan) is it regulated what I’m allowed to put in front of my privacy fence, or that the ground needs to be greened? Does anyone know? Can I designate it as a path and pave it? Or create a small mound along the property boundary and scatter pebbles in between? Or just plant climbing plants, bamboo, or similar vegetation?
Questions, questions...
A garden shed up to a certain size is allowed to be located outside the building area. The shed counts as part of the boundary construction. However, it is not considered a "building structure" (according to the state building regulations) or something similar.
Privacy fences are considered partial privacy protection and do not serve as a complete enclosure. This means they are, for example, placed near the terrace where planting does not provide privacy.
Hedges and bushes are used in the garden not only for their fruit but also as privacy screens, for example near the terrace.
A property and garden can be used even without privacy screens or fences.
An architect should be familiar with the state building regulations and be prepared to answer your questions daily. She is responsible for drawing installation shafts.
Have you ever thought about doing laundry on the upper floor?
Edit: There are also neighborhood laws as well as the state building regulations that apply.
Best regards in brief
Privacy fences are considered partial privacy protection and do not serve as a complete enclosure. This means they are, for example, placed near the terrace where planting does not provide privacy.
Hedges and bushes are used in the garden not only for their fruit but also as privacy screens, for example near the terrace.
A property and garden can be used even without privacy screens or fences.
An architect should be familiar with the state building regulations and be prepared to answer your questions daily. She is responsible for drawing installation shafts.
Have you ever thought about doing laundry on the upper floor?
Edit: There are also neighborhood laws as well as the state building regulations that apply.
Best regards in brief
How tall are the fences around your neighbors’ houses? Here, almost everyone has a fence about 1.2m (4 feet) high around their house, including the front yard, even though only 70cm (28 inches) is actually allowed there. Nobody has ever complained.
You could also consider building a lower fence and planting a dense hedge behind it, for example, Thuja Smaragd, which requires little maintenance.
Best regards,
Sabine
You could also consider building a lower fence and planting a dense hedge behind it, for example, Thuja Smaragd, which requires little maintenance.
Best regards,
Sabine
S
Schnuckline30 Mar 2017 11:12Good morning everyone,
The news about the garden shed is really great! I did some more research and found the following in the Baden-Württemberg state building code:
" Buildings without living spaces, toilets, or heating appliances, if the buildings are neither used for sales nor for exhibition purposes, are allowed up to 40 m³ (1,412 cubic feet) in interior areas..."
The narrowest accessible spot is 6 m (20 feet), so I can manage this with a garden shed if necessary. Now I feel relieved!
Since we don’t want any hedges or other greenery, the fence will be our only visual barrier. Planting is also not required in the zoning plan.
According to Baden-Württemberg neighborhood law, the following applies:
(2) For boundaries with other properties, solid fences – except wire fences and gates – must maintain a setback corresponding to the height that exceeds 1.50 m (5 feet).
This was also confirmed by the lady at the city building office.
Regarding the distance to the street side, her answer was:
"The height of the fence or hedge along the street must be finally determined through an official procedure. Urban planning and traffic safety considerations also play a role here."
Whatever that means. The architect said this will be clarified during the building permit / planning permission process.
@ypg: It’s very important for us that the garden is not visible from outside. Our garden is not just a terrace; I want to grow vegetables there, set up a pool, and eventually let kids play. This is my private space, and I want to move around without being watched. Nobody wants people entering their living room and waving to the neighbors first.
Unfortunately, there is no space for a laundry room on the two upper floors. Also, I can’t imagine having one there due to noise concerns.
Thanks for the tip about the state regulations—I have been digging through them exactly there.
@Curly: That’s exactly the difficulty with our situation. The houses in the neighborhood are all somewhat older. Some have barns, and most have a courtyard with a garage driveway. These courtyards are often not fenced. Since we are not planning a garage, I can’t really take cues from that. From what I can see, their gardens are mostly at the back. Ours will mainly be on the left side of the house.
The news about the garden shed is really great! I did some more research and found the following in the Baden-Württemberg state building code:
" Buildings without living spaces, toilets, or heating appliances, if the buildings are neither used for sales nor for exhibition purposes, are allowed up to 40 m³ (1,412 cubic feet) in interior areas..."
The narrowest accessible spot is 6 m (20 feet), so I can manage this with a garden shed if necessary. Now I feel relieved!
Since we don’t want any hedges or other greenery, the fence will be our only visual barrier. Planting is also not required in the zoning plan.
According to Baden-Württemberg neighborhood law, the following applies:
(2) For boundaries with other properties, solid fences – except wire fences and gates – must maintain a setback corresponding to the height that exceeds 1.50 m (5 feet).
This was also confirmed by the lady at the city building office.
Regarding the distance to the street side, her answer was:
"The height of the fence or hedge along the street must be finally determined through an official procedure. Urban planning and traffic safety considerations also play a role here."
Whatever that means. The architect said this will be clarified during the building permit / planning permission process.
@ypg: It’s very important for us that the garden is not visible from outside. Our garden is not just a terrace; I want to grow vegetables there, set up a pool, and eventually let kids play. This is my private space, and I want to move around without being watched. Nobody wants people entering their living room and waving to the neighbors first.
Unfortunately, there is no space for a laundry room on the two upper floors. Also, I can’t imagine having one there due to noise concerns.
Thanks for the tip about the state regulations—I have been digging through them exactly there.
@Curly: That’s exactly the difficulty with our situation. The houses in the neighborhood are all somewhat older. Some have barns, and most have a courtyard with a garage driveway. These courtyards are often not fenced. Since we are not planning a garage, I can’t really take cues from that. From what I can see, their gardens are mostly at the back. Ours will mainly be on the left side of the house.
You don’t need to reinvent the concept of a garden. Almost everyone desires privacy.
You also don’t have to assume that every neighbor is a nosy bystander. Basically, others are only as intrusive as you are willing to suspect them to be.
Anyway, a garden is usable even if you have neighbors or pedestrians walking by, and vegetables don’t mind either.
A garden is partly defined by its greenery... The idea that a fence alone serves as privacy screening is new. Instead, combine it with proper privacy elements like hedges, shrubs, or partial privacy screens (didn’t I already mention that?!). A garden layout is a blend of all these elements. Hedges and shrubs are often planted perpendicular to the boundary line to create different garden areas or even serve as windbreaks.
A garden planner tool can be very helpful, and you can find free ones online.
Best regards in brief
You also don’t have to assume that every neighbor is a nosy bystander. Basically, others are only as intrusive as you are willing to suspect them to be.
Anyway, a garden is usable even if you have neighbors or pedestrians walking by, and vegetables don’t mind either.
A garden is partly defined by its greenery... The idea that a fence alone serves as privacy screening is new. Instead, combine it with proper privacy elements like hedges, shrubs, or partial privacy screens (didn’t I already mention that?!). A garden layout is a blend of all these elements. Hedges and shrubs are often planted perpendicular to the boundary line to create different garden areas or even serve as windbreaks.
A garden planner tool can be very helpful, and you can find free ones online.
Best regards in brief
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