Development plan roof dormer width

Hello everyone!

This is about a development plan for a new housing area in Bavaria.

Here are the key data about the plot and the development plan:

Plot 790 m²

General residential area, plot ratio 0.35, floors I+D (i.e., 1.5 floors), wall height valley side 5.50 m max. above ground level, open construction, single and semi-detached houses permitted (we want to build a single house), saddle or hipped roof with 35 degrees roof pitch (+/- 3 degrees allowed), knee wall 0.5 m permitted, single dormers (1.20 m) and cross gables (maximum 1/3 of the roof length) permitted. The sum of all roof structures may be max. 1/3 of the total roof length.

We would like to have two single dormers built in the attic. The architect says that with a permissible dormer width of 1.20 m, nothing reasonable is feasible. The so-called wall thicknesses, which are necessary due to the required insulation, reduce the width on the inside of the dormer to 60 cm. Considering the profile thicknesses of modern triple-glazed windows, the glass surface width of the dormer windows would be about 45 cm. The architect talks about "loopholes."

An inquiry to the office for exemption from the 1.20 m restriction for the dormers is categorically rejected. The justification is that the new development area should fit into the existing old stock. Directly adjacent to the new development area stands an older house (70s - 80s) with a shed dormer about 5 m wide externally. Furthermore, it is insisted that the development plan is valid law ... blah blah .....

The architect, general contractor and builders have the impression that this restriction by the planners was not fully thought through, but now they do not want to deviate from it because that would mean admitting to having planned crap.

My question:

Does such a restriction of dormers to 1.20 m width (external) correspond to the current state of construction art?

In my opinion, such a thing is unbuildable as it creates no spatial or comfort benefit.

Thank you very much!

Regards

Andreas

Your architect is right - this kind of thing is rubbish. And in my opinion, you're also right about why it isn't changed. A planner would never admit to delivering rubbish. Go to the next higher authority and ask there if exceptions might be possible, that is at the district office. If you submit a B-application and it is rejected, you can appeal at the building supervisory office (LRA). They might be able to tell you in advance, non-binding, etc., if something would be possible.

Hello Andreas,

Does such a restriction of dormers to 1.20 m width (outside) correspond to the current state of architectural practice?

In my opinion, something like that is unbuildable, as it does not create any space or comfort value.

Now be honest – what use is a discussion on this topic in a forum to you? It won’t get you any further, since the municipality will not change the development plan for you; nor will it grant you any exemption. If you want to challenge the development plan, prepare for a duration of up to 3 years.

Better think about a gable dormer; in my opinion that makes the house look more charming anyway than those pasted-on "eyes," also known as loopholes.

Rhenish greetings