Procedure descriptions

Report building projects under the notification procedure

Is your planned project not exempt from planning permission and do the conditions for the notification procedure apply? If so, as the developer, you can choose between

  • the notification procedure and
  • the simplified planning permission procedure.

Under the notification procedure, you inform the relevant authority about the building project. If no one objects, you may commence work once a specified period has elapsed.

This procedure is appropriate if the building project complies with the provisions of the local development plan and also meets the other requirements under building law, in particular the State Building Regulations. Deviations, exceptions or exemptions – for example, from setbacks – are not permitted. Furthermore, it is quick and cost-effective.

The designer is responsible for ensuring that their design complies with public law regulations. The client is responsible for ensuring that the building authority receives the necessary information and documents. The construction work must not deviate from the plans submitted for notification. As a rule, you may commence building one month after the local authority has received the complete building documents.

If a project subject to the notification procedure requires a further decision – such as authorisation under the Heritage Protection Act – you, as the developer, must apply for this decision in addition to submitting the notification.

You can check whether heritage protection issues need to be taken into account for a building project by consulting the Digital Heritage Map of Baden-Württemberg, which is available on the BW Geoportal. Select the ‘Cultural Monuments’ map there and use the ‘Search by address, location or data’ function to locate your building plot. If any cultural monuments are listed there, the project may require a planning permission under heritage protection legislation. Further information can be obtained from the relevant local heritage protection authority.

A notification procedure is also possible

  • if you wish to alter structures subject to the notification requirement or change their use, and
  • the project remains subject to the notification requirement even after the alteration.

The same applies to the demolition of any structures, unless they are already exempt from the notification requirement.

Forms/Online Services

Responsible authority

the lower planning authority

Depending on the location of the building project, the lower planning authority is:

  • the local council or
  • the district office.
Untere Baurechtsbehörde [Stadt Ettenheim]

Details

Prerequisite

  • Your building project is not exempt from the planning process.
  • The building project falls within the scope of a local development plan which contains provisions regarding at least
    • the type (e.g. residential, commercial) and
    • the scale (size) of the development,
    • the areas of land available for development and
    • the local traffic areas.
  • The project must not contravene the provisions of the local development plan.
  • It must be one of the following building projects:
    • a residential building
    • a detached building with a height of up to 7 metres and no more than two units of use totalling no more than 400 square metres (building class 1 under the State Building Regulations), excluding restaurants
    • a detached building used for agricultural or forestry purposes (Building Class 1 under the State Building Regulations),
    • a building up to 7 metres in height with no more than two units totalling no more than 400 square metres (Building Class 2 under the State Building Regulations), excluding restaurants,
    • any other building with a height of up to 7 metres (Building Class 3 under the State Building Regulations), excluding restaurants,
    • other structures that are not buildings
    • an outbuilding and ancillary facilities for the above-mentioned projects, such as garages
  • This does not constitute a special-purpose building.

Procedure

The required building plans and the completed questionnaire for the statistics on building activity are submitted electronically by the developer to the relevant building authority via the online service provided by that authority (usually ViBa-BW):

  • Within five working days, the planning authority checks whether the planning documents are complete, whether the development of the project is secured, whether there is any encumbrance preventing construction, and whether the project falls within the scope of a development charter, a conservation charter or a regeneration area.
  • Provided that no restrictions under building law arise from this, the building authority will notify the date of full receipt.
  • Otherwise, it will inform the developer and, where applicable, the local authority of any restrictions that exist and need to be rectified.

Before work commences, the developer is responsible for having the structural engineering documentation checked by an expert, have the floor plan and elevation of buildings on the building plot determined by an expert; and submit technical details regarding combustion systems, as well as stationary combined heat and power units and internal combustion engines in buildings, to the authorised district chimney sweep.

Deadlines

No notification is given to neighbouring property owners as part of the notification procedure.

Construction may commence two weeks after receipt of the complete building application documents.

Required documents

  • Site plan
  • Construction drawings
  • Building Specification
  • Diagram of the site drainage system
  • Explanatory notes on the structural stability analysis
  • Confirmations from the designer and the person responsible for the site plan
  • Confirmation from the client that they have assumed responsibility for the project
  • Name and address of the client and the site manager, if one has been appointed

The documents must be submitted in an archivable Portable Document Format (PDF/A) via the submission channel specified by the building authority.

Costs

The relevant authority may charge a fee for acknowledging receipt. You must also pay for any decision regarding a derogation, exemption or waiver from public-law regulations.

Miscellaneous

none

Detailed information

  • Geoportal BW
  • Denkmalpflege Baden-Württemberg

Legal basis

Landesbauordnung (LBO):

  • § 42 Pflichten des Bauherrn
  • § 43 Entwurfsverfasser
  • § 51 Kenntnisgabeverfahren
  • § 53 Bauvorlagen und Bauantrag

Verordnung der Landesregierung, des Ministeriums für Landesentwicklung und Wohnen über das baurechtliche Verfahen (Verfahrensverordnung zur Landesbauordnung - LBOVVO):

  • § 1 Bauvorlagen im Kenntnisgabeverfahren

Release note

Machine generated, based on the German release by: Ministerium für Landesentwicklung und Wohnen Baden-Württemberg, 10.08.2026