Guide
Do I need a building permit for a container?
It depends on the use, the duration and the federal state. Six steps to clarify whether a permit is required before the container is delivered.
Last updated: · Written by: BBC Best Box Containerhandel e.K.
- 1
Classify the use
Under building law, a storage container that nobody spends time in is treated differently from an office, living or sanitary container with rooms for people. Note down what the container will be used for.
- 2
Determine how long it will stand
Temporary placement for weeks or a few months is often assessed differently from permanent placement. Decide how long the container is to stay.
- 3
Check the state building code
Whether a project is exempt from the permit procedure is set by each federal state in its building code (Landesbauordnung). In many places, storage buildings without rooms for people are exempt up to a certain gross volume; the limit and the exceptions, especially outside built-up areas, differ from state to state.
- 4
Check the plot and the development plan
The type of area (for example commercial or mixed use), the stipulations of the development plan (Bebauungsplan) and the required distance from the property boundary all play a part. If in doubt, your municipality's development plan applies.
- 5
Ask the building authority
Only the information from the lower building authority (Bauaufsichtsbehörde) of your district or city is binding. An informal preliminary enquiry (Bauvoranfrage) clarifies whether a permit is needed before you order the container.
- 6
Put together the documents
An application or preliminary enquiry usually requires a site plan, floor plan and elevations, plus details on structural design and the CSC plate. We supply the technical documents for the container.
Frequently asked
Does a container count as a structure at all?
Yes, as soon as it is used in a fixed location. Whether it stands on wheels or on a foundation makes no difference; what matters is permanent use in one place.
Does anything change if the container only stands for a short time?
Often, yes. A short, temporary placement on commercial premises is more likely to be exempt than a permanent one. The limit is set by the building code of the federal state concerned.
Who is liable if there is no permit?
The property owner or whoever places the container. A missing permit can lead to a ban on use and an order to remove it, so ask beforehand.
Is the standing area suitable? Preparing the site. More questions before buying: Frequently asked questions.
Need documents for the application?
Tell us the container type and location. We will put together the technical documents your building authority needs for the preliminary enquiry.