ᐅ Changes to Windows After Building Permit Approval

Hello everyone,

I have a building permit in Baden-Württemberg according to §49 of the State Building Code for my single-family house under construction. Now the question is to what extent planned windows can still be changed without requiring approval for the modification—if this is possible at all.

The specific cases are as follows:
1.) The basement window (with light well) in the utility room (ventilated by mechanical ventilation system) is planned to be omitted.
2.) A window is to be added to the garage. The garage is directly attached to the house, slightly set back, so that the garage door is accessible from the terrace. A window is to be installed next to the door. The property boundary to the street is on the opposite side.

Is this allowed, or does it require approval? Does anyone know how this is handled in Baden-Württemberg?

Thank you very much.

You shouldn’t have any problems with that. We have a large window next to the front door. After receiving the building permit / planning permission, we still changed the dimensions. Before that, I asked the responsible district building inspector if we could do that. He told me that windows can always be modified afterwards.

We have also changed the position and size of some windows. Our planner said that this is not a problem. Usually, windows facing the neighbors are the ones that can cause issues.

It becomes problematic when later changes affect the calculations according to the energy saving regulations and negatively impact them, potentially causing the house to no longer comply with the standards. Examples include significant enlargement of glazed areas or switching from triple glazing to double glazing afterward for cost reasons.

Thank you very much for the feedback. I will discuss this with the planner at the next appointment.
The impact on the energy saving regulations will likely be positive, as one basement window will be eliminated. The garage is uninsulated anyway.

Windows directly on the 3-meter (10-foot) boundary facing the neighbor are probably not allowed, right? So, a garage with an exterior wall on the boundary and then installing a window there. I think in the past, frosted glass or something like that was allowed?!