Danger investigation suspected ordnance

Obtain information on explosive ordnance contamination

Before you intervene in the construction site, you must obtain information as to whether there is any suspicion of munitions in the affected construction area.

Detailed description

There are still munitions from the Second World War in the ground and they pose a danger, especially when the ground is being worked. If you want to intervene in the building site, you are therefore obliged to avoid possible dangers for yourself and others. To do this, you must clarify with the responsible authority whether there is a specific suspicion of munitions in the area of your building project. You have the following options:

  1. You apply for a hazard assessment. The responsible authority evaluates relevant aerial photographs from the Second World War and other historical sources and then sends you a statement on the suspected munitions.
  2. You request an inspection of the suspected area register. This option is only suitable for planning purposes. The responsible authority does not carry out a new evaluation, but simply provides you with existing information. This data is usually not comprehensive or complete. For areas that are not marked, the question of munitions is considered unresolved. Before you can carry out work in these areas, you must apply for a hazard survey.

The information provided by the responsible authority on the contamination of explosive ordnance is always based on the latest knowledge. If you already have an older hazard survey or aerial photo analysis, you can use the online service to check whether new findings lead to a changed classification.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • They intend to intervene in the building site.

Documents required

  • Property map or site plan with marked application area
  • Proof of ownership of the property in question (extract from the property cadastre, land register or purchase contract)
  • If you are not the property owner: Power of Attorney

Please note

You can also commission a systematic search for munitions (probing) in order to specifically examine the building site for possible dangers. This probing may only be carried out by suitable companies. You can find a list of suitable companies in Hamburg in the “Links” section.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You submit your application together with the necessary documents to the responsible authority.
  • The responsible authority will examine your application and send you the requested information.

Processing time


  • Examination of the suspected area register: up to several days

  • Hazard assessment / aerial image evaluation: approximately 4 weeks (the current duration can be found on the website of the responsible authority, see the "Links" section)

  • Use of the online service: immediately


In hardship or emergency cases, you can request faster processing.

Fees

The costs vary according to the time required.

Legal remedies


  • contradiction

  • lawsuit before the administrative court

Legal basis

Ordinance on the Prevention of Damage Caused by Explosive Ordnance (KampfmittelVO)


https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-kampfmVHA2005V1P1

Address and contact information

Danger investigation suspected ordnance

Mon 9am-4pm, Wed-Thurs 8.30am-12.30pm, 2pm-4pm

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Keywords: Danger investigation suspected ordnance Danger research suspected ordnance Aerial photo evaluation suspected ordnance Ordnance suspected areas cadastre

Last updated: 15.02.2026