Higher visual privacy behind a regulation-compliant enclosure?

Hello dear community,

this is my first post in this forum and I am looking forward to your feedback!

My partner and I have found a plot of land in BW that we would like to buy. It is a corner plot of approximately 770 sqm. There is no sidewalk around the plot.

We have the following concerns: according to the development plan, the fence adjacent to the streets may be 0.80 m high. As a privacy screen, this is not sufficient. The plot is located in such a way that our garden would lie exactly between the two intersecting streets, so a privacy screen is desired.

The question we have is whether we can erect the regulation-compliant 0.80 m high fence around the plot and plant a hedge behind it at a certain distance (e.g. 1.5 m) that functions as a privacy screen (e.g. 1.70 m high).

Would that be a legally permitted solution or would the hedge then be classified as a fence and thus be too high?

If it is allowed: where can I find information on how high the hedge may be and at what distance from the fence it must/may stand?

Since we haven't bought the plot yet, this is an important factor for us as everything else fits. Good location, wonderful view, and quiet neighborhood.

Looking forward to your feedback.

Best regards Igoraks

Hmm high hedges are a welcome invitation for professional burglars and also opportunistic thieves. I would think about it three times, unless the property is in an area with an extremely low burglary rate.

Otherwise, just apply for a permit for the higher enclosure.

Just plant the hedge along the boundary. It will then randomly grow taller than 0.8m and if someone complains, you can still take action.

We also had the thought process of setting the enclosure according to the development plan and putting something taller behind it, because then it wouldn't be an enclosure anymore. The planners (architect vs. surveyor) had different opinions about that. However, they agreed that after respecting the setback area, i.e. at the latest after 3m, you can put anything you want there (as long as it doesn't require approval).

Incidentally, privacy screening can be created not only by a tall hedge, wall, or fence. A gardener knows enough ways to do this without having to hide behind a wall for 20-30m.

Hmm, tall hedges are a welcome invitation for professional burglars and also opportunistic thieves. I would think about it three times, unless the property is in an area with an extremely low burglary rate.

Otherwise, simply apply for a permit for the higher enclosure.

,

thank you for your answer.

I can't say much about the burglary rate since I don't know these values. I also think the low enclosure at the corner makes sense.



I had that consideration too. But if a car accident happens at the fork, the injured party could draw attention to the too high enclosure, and in the worst case, I would have the trouble. Cutting the hedge afterwards would then be the least of the problems.

However, as I understand from your text, I could make a hedge 3 meters from the boundary that is, for example, 1.80 m tall (so permit-free) and would have, on the one hand, the regulation-compliant enclosure at the boundary and enough privacy screening for our privacy.

Did I understand that correctly?

Thanks and regards,

I suspect here—unfortunately—a real reason for the 0.8 limit. Road traffic. Otherwise, you can't see if someone is coming from the right. They are merging roads, you say. So I guess simply letting it grow higher won't be tolerated here. Karsten

Right, I didn't think about the corner situation. You definitely have an issue there.

After 3m, that should no longer be a problem, according to the assessment (but be careful, this stuff is in the state building code, the L stands for "Landes" - I’m NRW, you’re BW).

Is there really much traffic there at all, so that one should fear "observation"?
By the way, only adults know that problem; playing children on the lawn couldn't care less who’s watching.
Wrapping a seat up a bit so it’s not easily visible should not be a problem.