The building authority rejects the building application because the house is planned too far back

Yes, you can submit a [Bauvoranfrage].

We offer a builder consultation twice a week at the building authority.

Something like this is a great thing.

The very first contact back then with the planner when we introduced ourselves via email with the project was that she asked if it was a development plan area and what the plot ratio was.
But I had written that it is not a development plan area and depends on the neighborhood.
So I wrote that again.
Then she asked if we are even allowed to build a townhouse there.
That actually says a lot, doesn’t it?
She wants to shift her responsibilities onto me and doesn’t really listen or read properly.
You really feel well taken care of from the very beginning...

Is it actually allowed to go to the building authority and get advice before submitting the building application?

Yes, they are usually happy to answer specific questions there because it makes the work more pleasant if the prospective builders do not submit hopeless applications. But spoon-feeding ideas is not their job.

I would find it best if the municipalities where the building area is located would provide the builders with a planner for a fee. Then one would know everything will be as allowed to be built.

I think it's enough if you "recognize" the people from villages with only a single hairdresser's.

Even though I understand your frustration, I would keep a low profile; you do not yet have the building permit. And from what I know about the authorities, they stopped at the first mistake, and now that the amended version has come, they start again from scratch and find other mistakes.

That is also correct. The building authority checks the eligibility for the permit (which is no longer given starting from -gross- mistake 1) and is not the quality control for those authorized to submit.

Yesterday, the building permit finally arrived!