large party garden house - distance, permits

Between us and the neighbor opposite is a public dead-end path that belongs to the city. Now the neighbor is currently building a huge garden shed there. With a water connection, presumably the grill is also going to be inside. So they want to move their party zone out of the garage and spend time in there.

In the building regulations (NRW), regarding distances, it always only says "to the neighbor" – how is it with the distance to a public street? Do these distances also apply there?

And a garden shed is exempt from approval up to 30m³ – even then, if there is a water connection inside and possibly grilling is done inside? Keyword fire protection etc. etc.

Can someone tell me something about this or name the relevant §§?

Ever spoken with him? In our region of Hessen, you would need a building permit for a common room if it involves boundary construction. No permit is needed if you don't build up to the boundary. There is certainly about a 3-meter-wide street between you anyway.

No, not yet, I would like to know beforehand what I’m getting myself into if I really approach him. He belongs to the type "I do whatever I want anyway." Glossy roof tiles, for example, although they are explicitly forbidden.

No, not yet, I would like to know beforehand what I'm getting into if I really talk to him. He belongs to the type "I do whatever I want anyway." High-gloss roof tiles, for example, even though they are explicitly prohibited.

Why didn't you report him because of the tiles?

because they were already on it before we started building, and the rumor is going around that he bought himself free. So he paid a penalty to the community for it. And because everyone here does whatever they want anyway - I don't stand a chance to oppose it, otherwise I would be the outcast in the neighborhood right away. I just want to know, in case he ever gives us trouble, so I can tell him he doesn't need to act tough, his part wouldn't be legal anyway.

All §§ refer to the Building Code NRW 2018.

Do these distances apply there as well?

No. §6, paragraph 8, sentence 1, item 1 or §6, paragraph 2, sentence 2

if there is a water connection in it

Yes.

if someone grills inside?

No. §62, paragraph 1, item 1, letter a) not applicable because of the heating device, unless he grills electrically.

a public branch road

Are you sure it is public? This requires public dedication. For several decades, this must formally be done by a publicly announced general administrative order. How old is the road?

huge garden shed

How high is it? If it is on the boundary with an average height of more than 3m, it triggers setback areas, which may only extend to the middle of the public path. §6, paragraph 2, sentence 2