Development plan - 1.5-story building?

Hello,

it concerns a plot of land in NRW. The development plan stipulates a 1.5-story building with a gable roof. A flat roof is therefore not allowed.

Now, I don't find sloping ceilings on the upper floor very appealing. There are also houses with two full stories and a gable roof on top, where the roof can no longer be converted. Is there any chance to negotiate something like that with the authorities, or can one only build something very old-fashioned where one has to deal with sloping ceilings throughout the entire upper floor, the resulting lack of usable space, and the feeling in these rooms, which I personally find negative in terms of comfort?

Unfortunately, I do not have the exact wording of the development plan, as only an oral statement was obtained from the responsible authority.

It is a development area from the early 80s, where only old-fashioned houses stand.

I don't understand the problem: there are enough stylish and modern houses that are considered 1.5-story, which, due to a knee wall of over 150cm, offer enough floor space and headroom over most of the area. What you want to build would be a 2-story house with an unfinished attic... If you look through the posts from the last few days, you can read a discussion about a 2.5-story. Unfortunately, I can't link via Tapatalk... At least I wouldn't want this box on the neighboring property – whether you like the development plan or not. You don't have to buy the property, and I hold the old-fashioned view that one has to adapt to "old rights and customs."

We even managed over 1.6 m knee wall with 1.5 floors... I also wouldn't really think that your endeavor will succeed - but if in doubt, just ask the [Bauamt].

The provisions of the development plan are binding. Deviations can be requested in justified cases according to § 31 para. 2 of the Federal Building Code (Baugesetzbuch), provided that the fundamental principles of the planning are not affected. However, overriding reasons or tangible disadvantages for the applicant must be cited, which in this case, likely do not exist. I see the chances of success as low; furthermore, the main argument against your application will probably continue to be the uniform building design of the development area, which is intended to be achieved by the development plan.

There is absolutely nothing against a gable roof. It is structurally less complicated than a flat roof construction, which requires higher effort in sealing and drainage. Fashionable or contemporary architecture has nothing to do with a particular house type, but with the contemporary interpretation of the type. Even the highly efficient, well-insulated single-family house box type "Bauhaus" with a flat roof, etc., can look boring and stereotypical.

The term "1.5-storey" does not exist in the State Building Code. It means a full storey and a non-full storey, which is calculated according to the requirements of the State Building Code. Pushing the limits or interpreting the provisions of the development plan as broadly as possible is the architect's task. As the saying goes: "It depends on what you make of it...". Maximum freedom in design is no guarantee for a good result.

Hello,

it concerns a plot of land in NRW. The development plan specifies a 1.5-story building with a gable roof. Flat roof is therefore not permitted.

Did you find anything O? Which area?

It would be interesting to know if the development plan specifies an eaves height. If it is, for example, 4m, you have a knee wall of max. around 75cm. A city villa has a minimum eaves height of 5m...