Roof height increase after over-rafter insulation

Hello everyone,

We own a terraced house which is the second last in a row of six. Every second house has an offset upwards of about 80 cm. Now we plan to equip the second last roof with an above-rafter insulation, which will result in an increase of about 20 cm. This would thus create an additional "step" when viewed from outside. What must be considered here to avoid trouble with the neighbor? Of course, we will talk to the neighbors, as we want to maintain a friendly relationship. Are there any laws, regulations, or similar that must be observed? I would be very grateful for any answers.

Hello,

Are there any laws, regulations or similar that need to be observed?

Yes, you have to submit a building application to the building authority, so I would suggest presenting your idea there beforehand to avoid unpleasant surprises during the application itself.

Kind regards

I have researched further and came across the [Landesbauordnung] of NRW. According to §6, paragraph 14, no building permit is required.
Here is the wording:
(14) For existing buildings, the subsequent cladding or facing of exterior walls as well as the subsequent raising of the roof covering are permissible if the construction measure serves to improve thermal insulation and if the thickness of the cladding or facing or the raising of the roof covering does not exceed 0.25 m and the remaining distance to the neighboring boundary is at least 2.50 m. Furthermore, lesser depths of the clearance areas may be permitted, taking into account neighboring concerns and fire protection interests, if the construction measure serves to improve thermal insulation. Sentences 1 and 2 also apply to exterior walls whose clearance area does not comply with paragraph 5.

Thus, I am probably on the safe side.

That probably varies from country to country. From building permits to building notifications and even nothing at all, everything seems to exist.

Hello,

That probably varies from country to country. From building permits to building notifications and even nothing at all, everything probably exists.

Just because the paragraph of the regulation you quoted does not explicitly mention a building application, it does not mean that you do not need one.
Everyone in NRW - and I assume also in the rest of Germany - must, if they affect the external shell and often also when an interior renovation is carried out, submit a building application.

I can't see why a building application should be a problem for you - it just costs a few euros.

Kind regards

That sounds logical. Thanks for the information. I will make a phone call.