Can renovation be prohibited to protect the view?

Hello, I am new here and have a question right away.

So, I am supposed to inherit my grandparents' semi-detached house, but it is a bit small for me and my family. My idea was to install dormer windows to make the upper floor a bit bigger. Now a neighbor told me that such renovations are not allowed (by the building authority) because it changes the appearance of the settlement. In the settlement, there are 6 semi-detached houses that all look the same.

So my question is, is that true? Do I, as the owner, have to restrict my freedom to maintain the appearance?
Or is that just an old East German law that no longer exists??

Thanks for the help

Hello mabo,

what does your architect, whom you need for the building application/building notification, say about it? He should be familiar with it.

Thankfully, it hasn't come to that yet. But my uncle would also like to have the house, only my grandparents would prefer to give it to me. Because of my 2 children. Only if such a thing exists and I am not allowed to convert/renovate the house, it won't do me any good. I have more space in my current apartment and would leave it to my uncle.

Well then, I'll contact an architect...