Apply for building permit

Prerequisites

• You want to construct or modify a building.
• You are authorized to submit building plans yourself or
• You are the client or building owner and have a person authorized to submit building plans on your side. This could be, for example, an architect or a civil engineer.

A complete building application is an essential prerequisite for a smooth process.

Documents required

Please note

When applying for a building permit, you can choose between

• simplified building permit procedure
• Building permit procedure
• concentrated building permit procedure

choose.

In both the simplified building permit procedure and the standard building permit procedure, you are responsible for obtaining further permits from other relevant authorities. You must independently verify compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

If you do not wish to handle this yourself, you should opt for the streamlined building permit process. In this case, the administration will coordinate with the relevant authorities.

If there are doubts about the fundamental eligibility of your building project for approval, you can clarify these early on with a preliminary building permit. This only answers specific questions. You will still need to apply for a permit afterwards.

The revised Hamburg Building Code (HBauO) came into force on January 1, 2026. Among other things, it stipulates that for certain buildings only a building notification is required instead of a building permit, in order to facilitate "smaller" new residential construction and conversions of existing buildings (so-called exemption from permitting).

Consultations outside of ongoing approval processes are subject to a fee.

Deadlines

no

Procedure

• You submit your application, along with the necessary documents, via the online service. Paper applications are not accepted.
• You can also have your application submitted by an authorized representative or a person authorized to submit building plans.
• The responsible authority will review your application and may request further necessary documents or information from you.
• You will receive a written notification of approval or rejection.
• You will receive a fee notice and pay the fees.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the scope of your construction project and the chosen procedure. It can take 1-3 months after all required documents have been submitted.

Fees

The amount of the fees depends on the type and scope of your construction project and is based on the building fee regulations (BauGebO).

Legal remedies

contradiction

Legal basis

§ 59 Hamburg Building Code (HBauO)


www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-BauOHA2005V11P59


§ 61 Hamburg Building Code (HBauO)


www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-BauOHA2005V11P61/part/S


§ 62 Hamburg Building Code (HBauO)


www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-BauOHA2005V11P62/part/S


Annex 1 Building Fees Ordinance (BauGebO)


www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-BauGebOHA2006V40Anlage1/part/G