Good evening,
My neighbor recently renovated an older house with a plot size of about 1000 square meters (about 10,764 square feet) and paved his driveway and parts of his property. It is a large paved area of more than 100 square meters (about 1,076 square feet).
From what I can see, the freshly laid paving is sloped towards my property (away from his house but also away from the garden behind it).
There is no drainage channel on any side of the paved area, which surprised me a lot.
The distance between the paved area and my property boundary is about 30–50 cm (12–20 inches). It also seems that this is not permeable paving (this is initially only an assumption on my part that would need to be confirmed).
Questions:
As someone who has unfortunately experienced heavy rainfall events (my property also slopes down toward a basement entrance that has flooded multiple times), I am concerned that during heavy rain, due to the large impermeable surface on my neighbor’s property, despite the 30–40 cm (12–16 inches) distance, the runoff water may not remain on his property but instead flow onto mine.
My neighbor recently renovated an older house with a plot size of about 1000 square meters (about 10,764 square feet) and paved his driveway and parts of his property. It is a large paved area of more than 100 square meters (about 1,076 square feet).
From what I can see, the freshly laid paving is sloped towards my property (away from his house but also away from the garden behind it).
There is no drainage channel on any side of the paved area, which surprised me a lot.
The distance between the paved area and my property boundary is about 30–50 cm (12–20 inches). It also seems that this is not permeable paving (this is initially only an assumption on my part that would need to be confirmed).
Questions:
- Is it allowed to pave such a large area without a drainage channel to the sewer?
- Is the neighbor allowed to lay the paving with a slope towards my property?
- Are there setback distances that need to be observed?
As someone who has unfortunately experienced heavy rainfall events (my property also slopes down toward a basement entrance that has flooded multiple times), I am concerned that during heavy rain, due to the large impermeable surface on my neighbor’s property, despite the 30–40 cm (12–16 inches) distance, the runoff water may not remain on his property but instead flow onto mine.
N
nordanney17 Apr 2026 11:21derdietmar schrieb:
A 40 cm (16 inch) wide strip will be more than enough. Well, if it rains normally about 5-15 mm (0.2-0.6 inch) per day, on a 100 sqm (1,076 sqft) surface that adds up to 5-15 cubic meters of water. Whether that amount can infiltrate in a 40 cm (16 inch) wide strip is questionable. Significant weather — not a heavy rain event, but just simply very heavy rain — is around 20-30 mm (0.8-1.2 inch). For that, you really need sandy soil; if there is any silty material, the water will end up at the neighbor's property.
But the original poster should be able to answer what kind of soil is present, right? My personal assessment: if we get typical April weather, the original poster might find themselves quite wet.
M
MachsSelbst17 Apr 2026 11:22In heavy rain, gutters won’t help much, nor will directing the water into the sewer system—if that is even allowed.
Heavy rain overloads every sewer, infiltration trench, and rainwater tank...
As I mentioned before, for a typical lot with 150-200m² (1,600-2,150 sq ft) of impervious surface (roofs, paved areas, etc.), 20 to 30m³ (700 to 1,060 cubic feet) of water can accumulate within just a few hours. No matter how wide the gutter is, where is all that water supposed to be stored?
Heavy rain overloads every sewer, infiltration trench, and rainwater tank...
As I mentioned before, for a typical lot with 150-200m² (1,600-2,150 sq ft) of impervious surface (roofs, paved areas, etc.), 20 to 30m³ (700 to 1,060 cubic feet) of water can accumulate within just a few hours. No matter how wide the gutter is, where is all that water supposed to be stored?
D
derdietmar17 Apr 2026 11:32Hello,
I can completely understand the original poster. However, there is often a misconception that neighbors have to protect your own property. You only need to properly manage the runoff from the roof eaves.
If the soil is not permeable, it won’t be with or without paving. The water would naturally flow away through the subsoil as well (interflow). There is only a delay and slightly higher water retention capacity.
It’s an unfortunate situation, but the only real protection comes from taking measures yourself.
Best regards
I can completely understand the original poster. However, there is often a misconception that neighbors have to protect your own property. You only need to properly manage the runoff from the roof eaves.
If the soil is not permeable, it won’t be with or without paving. The water would naturally flow away through the subsoil as well (interflow). There is only a delay and slightly higher water retention capacity.
It’s an unfortunate situation, but the only real protection comes from taking measures yourself.
Best regards
N
nordanney17 Apr 2026 11:32MachsSelbst schrieb:
A gutter won’t help you during heavy rain I agree with you. But with the usual slope towards the street, the water at least doesn’t flow directly into the neighbor’s garden.
Biker99 schrieb:
Is it allowed I wonder where this will lead if people no longer communicate directly but instead seek backup from strangers on the internet. If the (re)builder forgot to involve the affected parties in their planning, then the affected party should simply approach the (re)builder and say: “It’s a pity I’m only seeing this now, but we should have discussed it—let’s catch up and see together how we can fix this.” Let’s assume the presumption of innocence (the idea that no one is born stupid or malicious). Then kicking off a conversation with the “argument” that the observed problem is “not allowed” / “illegal” is usually counterproductive (because it can escalate) and unnecessary.
The neighbor/(re)builder has made a planning mistake, the correction of which will require insight, goodwill, as well as work and financial effort. The real question is how to address this with empathy—not whether the planning mistake is illegal or subject to legal action.
The fact is: water is uncontrollable; it relentlessly follows gravity. Another fact is that, under typical heavy rainfall conditions and without additional complicating factors, the flow velocity should be expected to exceed infiltration capacity. So even a gutter would need to be backed up by an infiltration system. This could also be above ground, like a soakaway. The same logic applies to a dam (or a system combining both).
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