A potential lawsuit against my construction project is looming! What now?

Again. I build, nothing more and nothing less, a completely normal human process.

"A person behaves as if transformed when treated simply as a human being." (Eugen Roth)

It is permissible. But it must be in writing and there must be a valid reason. An "I don't want it because it looks stupid" or "I don't like the neighbor" of course doesn’t work that easily.

You still haven't understood: an appeal can be lodged until the last day of the deadline. If the reason is "my hamster farted," the court will reject the complaint, yes. But until the final determination of inadmissibility, it must be assumed that an appeal could be validly justified. An authorized complainant can intervene until the last day. The deadline can only be shortened if all authorized complainants have waived their right to appeal. By the way, an appeal is not yet a lawsuit.

I still don't understand why you just don't ring the neighbors' doorbell and introduce yourself? A short small talk and just say hello. Usually, you'll already get a sense of which way the wind is blowing!

You still haven’t understood: a legal remedy can be filed until the last day of the deadline. If the justification is "my hamster farted," the court will dismiss the complaint, yes. But until the final determination of the groundlessness must be assumed, a legal remedy could be validly justified. A legitimized complainant can intervene until the last day. The deadline can only be shortened if all legitimized complainants have waived their legal remedy. By the way, a legal remedy is not yet a lawsuit.

That’s all well and good. But there are no reasons for me to worry. Nothing has been violated. Unfortunately, there are people who complain about everything and think they are right. Ultimately, it’s about right and wrong.

I still don’t understand why you don’t just ring the neighbors’ door and introduce yourself? A quick small talk and simply say hello. Usually, you can already tell where the wind is blowing from!

I will do that after the appointment tomorrow at the building authority and possibly get in touch through this, because caution is also advised here, one could misunderstand it and maybe feel attacked. One never knows. As already mentioned, I should act tactically and only if necessary.

You still haven't understood: a legal remedy can be filed until the last day of the deadline. If the reasoning is "my hamster farted," the court will reject the complaint, yes. But until the final determination of unfoundedness, it must be assumed that a legal remedy could be validly justified. A legitimate complainant can intervene until the last day. The deadline can only be shortened if all legitimate complainants have declared waiver of their legal remedy. By the way, a legal remedy is not yet a lawsuit.

Nothing goes to court for the time being. First, an objection applies at the building authority, which meets in a legal committee after the reason has been stated. As a rule, this is rejected. Then there is the option of filing a lawsuit in court. And then costs and lawyers come into play. This is the procedure here in RLP. In Bavaria, there is no objection; one must go directly to an administrative court. The building regulations of the federal states are partly different. I will also get advice from the building authority tomorrow and try to reach some kind of agreement with the neighbor by personally introducing myself and my construction project, if possible. I am, so to speak, offering him my hand to shake. I will inform you.