Is building without a building permit possible?

[*
call again - either you get the same person and probably the same answer, then note down the name. If you have someone else on the phone, ask for a written confirmation without mentioning the first call.
[*]If you do not receive anything in writing, but do receive the statement that you are allowed to build, write a letter to the person who gave the information and to the head of the building authority. The letter must include:
[LIST=1]
[*]date, time of the phone call, contact person
[*]exact wording of your questions and the answers in indirect speech, e.g. I asked Ms. Dingenskirchen whether we were now allowed to build. Ms. Dingenskirchen said that we were allowed to build and that no further written form was required by the building authority. I followed up and asked whether it was okay to start the work in KX xy. Ms. Dingenskirchen confirmed that with a yes.


[*]Now wait 2 weeks to see if your letter is contradicted. If not, you have created a file situation which is not completely legally secure but puts you in an excellent position. With this file situation, I would start construction.

What I would do in your place:

[*
call again – either you get the same person on the line and probably the same answer, then note down the name. If you have someone else on the phone, ask for a written confirmation without mentioning the first call. [*]If you don’t receive anything in writing, but do get the statement that you are allowed to build, write a letter to the person who gave the information and to the head of the building authority. The letter must include: [LIST=1] [*]Date, time of the call, contact person [*]Exact wording of your questions and the answers in indirect speech, e.g. I asked Ms. So-and-so whether we were now allowed to build. Ms. So-and-so said that we were allowed to build and that no further written form was required by the building authority. I followed up and asked if it was okay to start the work at KX xy. Ms. So-and-so confirmed that with a yes.
[*]Now wait two weeks to see if your letter is contradicted. If not, you have created a file which, although not completely legally binding, puts you in an excellent position. With this file, I would start construction.

The technique is also called confirmation letter – very effective in many places. :)

My husband and I want to build a single-family house for our own use, as is known. We have submitted the very extensive documents called the "building application" and then made changes again because the city where we are building was not satisfied with two points. Then we waited for the building permit and at some point I "gently" asked when we could possibly expect feedback. On the phone, I was told that we are allowed to build and that there would be no written confirmation. What are your experiences with such verbal statements or do you think it is possible in Germany to simply build "without permission"? There seems to be a document "... certificate ..." (I don't know the correct name) that you have to apply for separately and in which it is apparently confirmed that you are allowed to build. I have now applied for this document but I don't know how long it will take until I receive it. Do you have experience with this?

What irritates me is that on the phone they tell me we may build, but they don't want to just send me a one-liner by email so that if problems arise later with (another?) authority, utility providers, etc., or even with another caseworker, I at least have something written in my hands. Also, our house building company wants to see the approved building documents before assigning an appointment for material selection. Whether they will "be persuaded" to build for us without a building permit, I will find out next week when the caseworker is back. When I asked for a material selection appointment a few weeks ago, I didn't get one anyway because I could not present the approved building application.

So now we are just waiting for the document "... certificate ..." (I don't know the correct name) and hope that the issuance does not take too long.

What is your opinion, your feeling, and your experience? We are building in the federal state of Saxony. Please include in your answers which federal state you are building in.

Thank you. :)

I couldn't remember the extremely long official wording,

I have to follow up here.
In all correspondence, letters are always filed as copies with the (construction) documents, right!?

And the authorities nowadays also have email. :D

that I could donate something as compensation?

Is there an organization that is particularly close to your heart

Even now a colleague is doing his work.

I am also worried that if it drags on longer, from September on we will have a Green government or a government involving the Greens that will further delay the construction of our house or even make it impossible through new regulations;

The report card is here.

If needed, I can gladly share a sample or my experiences.