Why do we have so many building regulations?
To begin, let's briefly clarify why there are so many building regulations in Germany. Did you know that each of the 16 federal states has its own building code? You have heard correctly - this means that the construction in Bavaria is different from the one in North Rhine-Westphalia. But while this is perhaps still understandable, it becomes absurd if you look at the examples like fire safety. One state approves a system, the other refuses it – as if the fire stopped at the state border.
In total, Germany has more than 20,000 building regulations. This number comes, among other things, from a 2021 estimate by the German Association of Towns and Municipalities. It is considered a conservative estimate because the actual number may be significantly higher now. No wonder clients and architects often lose track.
10th place: Cable car guidelines in federal states without cable cars
In some states of Germany, such as those in Germany , there are detailed safety regulations for cable cars , although there is not a single cable car. These regulations must still be adopted in order to be prepared for the case of cases – non-implementation threatens the EU with high penalties.
Berlin only got its first cable car with the International Garden Exhibition of 2017. Until then, there were also corresponding regulations without practical application. The necessity of these laws is often criticized by countries without a cable car as an example of excessive EU bureaucracy.
9th place: Prescribed parasol colors in Bad Sooden-Allendorf
In the northern Hessian city of Bad Sooden-Allendorf, there is a regulation that only sunshades in the old town may be used in the colors of beige, pastel, or sand. The aim is to preserve the historical cityscape. Violators may face fines of up to 15,000 euros. It is important to note – this represents the maximum fine, of course, and is not necessarily imposed for every violation of this amount.
8th place: Lock step ban on bridges
According to Section 27 of the Road Traffic Act, it is forbidden to walk over bridges in lock step. This regulation dates back to earlier days and was intended to prevent the formation of resonance vibrations caused by the uniform step of columns, which could endanger the stability of the bridge. Although such dangers are significantly minimized today due to modern bridge construction techniques , the prohibition still applies.
By the way: A famous example of unexpected dynamic effects is the Millenium Bridge in London, which opened in 2000. Shortly after the opening, strong lateral vibrations occurred due to the interaction of pedestrians with the bridge structure. The people unconsciously adjusted their steps to the movement of the bridge , which further increased the vibrations. This resulted in the bridge being closed just two days after it was opened. Adding vibration dampers to the structure helped to address the issue, but this incident graphically illustrates how complex dynamic effects can occur in structures, and the role of occupant interaction.
7th place: The obligation to master craftsmen for German craftsmen
The obligation to become a master craftsman is related to the building regulations in Germany , as many craft professions are essential to the construction industry. In this area, there are strict regulations on safety, quality, and standards, which are intended to be ensured by the foremen.
In Germany, many craft professions are subject to the obligation to carry out a master craftsman's job, which means that self-employment in these professions is only possible with a master craftsman's certificate. This regulation is intended to ensure the quality of manual work and ensure consumer protection , but is often perceived as a bureaucratic hurdle. Under certain conditions, EU citizens have the option to set up a craft business in Germany without a master craftsman's certificate. These exceptional licenses are examined and issued by the chambers of crafts and trades.
Under certain conditions, German craftsmen also have the opportunity to start their own business without a master craftsman's certificate. Nevertheless, the different requirements for German and foreign craftsmen always cause great discussion.
6th place: The garage ordinance
In some states, the use of garages is strictly regulated. For example, it is not allowed to store grasshoppers, grills , or sports equipment in them, as garages are intended exclusively for parking cars. Violations may be penalized by high fines. The regulation is intended to ensure that garages are not misappropriated , that enough parking spaces are available in cities, and potential fire risks are minimized. In practice, however, this often leads to absurd situations – after all, hardly anyone uses their garage just for their car.
Violations of the garage ordinance can be penalized by fines , which in some cases amount to up to 500 euros. However, checks are rare in practice – usually only when multiple complaints about a lack of parking spaces in certain areas have been received. As long as the garage is still used to store a vehicle and thus fulfills its original purpose, the authorities usually do not impose any fines.
5th place: Different fire safety regulations by state
In Germany, the fire protection regulations vary depending on the federal state, which makes the planning and implementation of construction projects very difficult. For example, an innovative timber structural system can be classified as safe in Bavaria , whereas it would be rejected in North Rhine-Westphalia. This inconsistency raises the question of whether uniform standards throughout Germany would not be more appropriate.
There are already approaches to standardization as well as transnational regulations, such as DIN EN 13501 , which defines uniform Europe-wide criteria for the classification of construction products and building types with regard to their reaction to fire. However, there are still differences between the federal states, which make construction projects considerably more difficult. Therefore, the issue of uniform standards throughout Germany remains a central issue in the industry.
Place 4: The regulation of the minimum distance areas
Many cities, towns, and municipalities have rules that dictate how much space there must be between two buildings. Originally, these were introduced to prevent fires , to allow enough light and fresh air into houses, and to create distance between neighbors. In most states, the minimum distance is 8 to 10 ft, but it varies, depending on the construction area and building height.
Today, these regulations are often considered to be outdated , because they complicate the reasonable use of land and can waste space unnecessarily. In Berlin, for example, the high need for housing leads to conflicts with these distance regulations. According to the current building code, the spacing area is 0.4 H (40% of the building height), but at least 3.0 m. In some cases, this may lead to crowded buildings , which may affect the quality of life of the residents.
However, cities are constantly looking for solutions. Berlin is working on special guidelines that take into account ecological aspects , and other federal states are also adjusting their rules to create more space for residential construction. These developments show how important it is to find a balance between efficient use of space and a high quality of life. Regular checking and adjustment of these rules could help to better design urban space.
3rd place: Regulations for the roof inclination
There are no uniform legal requirements for roof inclination in Germany. However, some building codes prescribe certain inclinations in order to ensure a uniform design and to adapt to local building cultures. However, these regulations are not always in alignment with modern, architectural, or energy-efficient design requirements, and can limit the creative freedom of architects and building owners.
But don't worry: Through careful planning and close coordination with the responsible authorities, it is often possible to find solutions that both comply with the regulations and allow for innovative construction methods.
2nd Place: Extensive Environmental Assessment
If you are planning to build, lengthy environmental assessments may be required, which significantly slows down and makes the construction process more expensive. And that is even if the actual environmental impact is minimal. Example: Before an ornithological report could be built on an unused meadow , it observed birds and their behavior for a year. The cost around 50,000 euros.
That sounds worrying at first, but fortunately, such comprehensive investigations are the exception. They are usually only used for larger construction projects with a potentially significant impact. For smaller projects with lesser environmental effects, there are usually simplified methods.
A clear benefit of these environmental assessments is that they demonstrably contribute to more sustainable urban development and improve the environmental quality of construction projects.
1st Place: Excessive Number of DIN Standards
We have now arrived at the last building regulation. In Germany, there are currently around 3,700 building regulations , which not only make the planning and execution of construction projects difficult, but also drive up the construction costs. Architects and engineers have been saying for years that the complex regulations make the construction of new residential buildings unnecessarily expensive.
Around a quarter of the increase in construction costs since 2000 is due to additional codes and standards – and not to increased labor costs or material prices. With an increasing number of regulations making building projects more complex, experts are demanding more flexibility in building laws and the possibilities to deviate from certain standards.
Overall, the multitude of building regulations in Germany poses a considerable challenge , which further increases construction costs and unnecessarily complicates projects.
What can you do?
Now, we have talked about some of the most absurd building regulations in Germany – but what does that mean for the future ? The construction crisis is not just a question of rising material costs or a shortage of skilled workers. A big part of the problem lies in regulations that have barely changed in years. Many rules are based on theoretical considerations , without always bearing in mind the practical feasibility.
So what can we do to make construction projects more efficient, cheaper, and easier? Here are a few solutions :
* Uniform building regulations for the whole of Germany
Currently, we have 16 different building codes – one for each federal state. As a result, the same building can be approved in Bavaria without any problems, but fail in Brandenburg. Uniform building regulations throughout Germany could make a lot of things easier and provide more clarity.
* More science-based decisions
Many building regulations have developed over the years and are based on well-established principles. But the motto "we have always done it this way" is often the case. With advances in technology and sustainability, it would be useful to regularly check which regulations are still up to date and where adjustments could help to enable more efficient and sustainable solutions.
* The boldness of simplification
Less bureaucracy, simpler approval procedures , and fewer unnecessary regulations – these would not only relieve building owners and planners , but also speed up residential construction as a whole. Of course, rules are important, but not every regulation really contributes to the safety or quality of a building.
These are, of course, only some of the approaches discussed – whether they can actually be implemented in practice is another matter. But maybe there are exactly such ideas that are necessary to make construction in Germany easier – and maybe you will think of us next time when you walk over a bridge and NOT in step.