Two sheds with building permit from 1948

Hi everyone,

we have bought a large plot of land. On this plot there is an old house which is to be demolished and rebuilt. There are also 2 large sheds behind the §34/§35 line with building permits from 1948.

Is it allowed to demolish these sheds and rebuild them?

Best regards, Barossi

Who is supposed to know that? Ask the building authority, everything else is guesswork!

Or look it up in the building regulations of your federal state.;)

Basically, new building regulations also apply to new constructions, i.e., you cannot argue after demolishing the sheds that there was a building permit for the sheds in 1948, which no longer exist because they have been demolished. If you demolish the sheds, you must obtain a new permit as if they never existed.

So first leave them standing and ask the building authority how they view the matter of a new construction. I would be extremely skeptical, so if there are any commitments for new construction, have everything documented in writing and first submit the building application for the new sheds and have it approved before demolition.

Best regards Dirk Grafe

Basically, new building regulations apply to new constructions, meaning you cannot argue after demolishing the sheds that there was a building permit for the sheds in 1948 that no longer exist because they have been demolished. If you tear down the sheds, you have to get new approval as if they never existed.

So first leave them standing and ask the building authority how they view the matter of a new construction. I would be extremely skeptical, so if there are any commitments for a new construction, get everything in writing and submit the building application for the new sheds and have it approved before demolishing.

Regards
Dirk Grafe

Hi Dirk,

thank you very much for your response. The building authority told me something similar. But what is allowed with the old shed? Restore it? New roof? New doors and windows? Brick a facing wall in front? At what point does the building authority need to be involved?

Best regards Barossi

All decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. ;) Even a changed use alone can already break your neck if it does not match the original building application or the approval.

What repairs and possible modifications you are allowed to make can surely be explained to you by an architect – if you ask the building authority, you will of course only get legally binding statements ... whether they are in your interest also depends on what you intend to do with the sheds!? :)

Best regards
Dirk Grafe