Tiny house Baugenehmigung

Want to place your house in Germany? Here you'll find everything you need to know.

Can my tiny house stand here?

Building law is set by each state, so there are sixteen answers. The good news: in an area with a Bebauungsplan (the local zoning plan), you no longer need a full building application in almost every state. Here you can see which route applies to you.

My state →

Building law16 Landesbauordnungenplus your municipality's Bebauungsplan
With a BebauungsplanFreistellungsubmit the documents, build after 2 to 6 weeks
Without a BebauungsplanSimplified procedureexpect 3 to 6 months from the first meeting

The three routes

Which route applies to your tiny house

A tiny house you live in is a building, even if it has wheels. Which procedure it needs depends mainly on whether a Bebauungsplan applies to your plot. Below you'll find the three procedures, the rules in your state and our houses up to 75 m³.

1
Verfahrensfrei
Almost never. In most states the exemption only applies to sheds and garden houses without habitable rooms. Only Bavaria, Saxony and Saarland allow buildings up to 75 m³ without this exclusion, Bavaria explicitly for tiny houses too; that only suits our smallest houses. Even then you must comply with the Bebauungsplan, the setback areas and the energy requirements.
2
Genehmigungsfreistellung
The usual route when your plot lies within a qualified Bebauungsplan and your house complies with it. You submit the documents to the municipality or the building office; if nobody asks for a procedure, you may build after two weeks to six weeks, depending on the state. In Baden-Württemberg this is called Kenntnisgabeverfahren (notification procedure), in Brandenburg, until the end of 2026, Bauanzeige (building notice).
3
Simplified procedure
The route when no Bebauungsplan applies (Innenbereich, the built-up area, under § 34 BauGB) or your house deviates from the plan. The building office checks less than for large buildings, and in several states the permit counts as granted if no decision has been made after two to three months. In the Außenbereich (the undeveloped land outside built-up areas), a new dwelling is only rarely permitted.

State by state

What applies in your state

As of October 2026, from the Landesbauordnungen (the state building codes) and the ministries' websites. Several states have changed their building code in the last two years, and further changes have been passed. Always check the current situation with your building office.

Baden-WürttembergNo

Bauordnung: Landesbauordnung für Baden-Württemberg (LBO)
Without a procedure?: No. Only buildings without habitable rooms, toilets or fireplaces, up to 40 m³ gross volume (20 m³ in the Außenbereich), are verfahrensfrei (exempt from any procedure), § 50 with Anhang 1.
With a Bebauungsplan: Kenntnisgabeverfahren (§ 51) in the area of a qualified or project-related Bebauungsplan, if the house complies with its stipulations. Building may start two weeks after the complete documents are received (§ 59 Abs. 4).
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 52). Since 28 June 2025, a permit counts as granted if no decision has been made after three months (§ 58 Abs. 1a).
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for detached residential buildings in building classes 1 to 3 also building technicians and master bricklayers, concrete builders or carpenters (§ 63 Abs. 3).
Good to know: In 2020 the economics ministry told the state parliament that tiny houses are not verfahrensfrei.
Quellen: Architektenkammer BW: LBO 2026 (Merkblatt 610) · Landtag BW, Drucksache 16/7708

BavariaPartly

Bauordnung: Bayerische Bauordnung (BayBO)
Without a procedure?: Partly. Buildings up to 75 m³ gross volume are verfahrensfrei outside the Außenbereich (Art. 57 Abs. 1 Nr. 1a), without habitable rooms being excluded; the building ministry explicitly names this rule for tiny houses too. This only suits very small houses, and the Bebauungsplan, setback areas and energy requirements still apply.
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (exemption from the permit, Art. 58) in the area of a Bebauungsplan, if the house complies with it and access and utilities are secured. The documents go to the municipality, the neighbours are informed, and building may start after one month if the municipality does not require a procedure.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (Art. 59).
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for detached residential buildings in building classes 1 to 3 also building technicians and master bricklayers, concrete builders or carpenters (Art. 61 Abs. 3).
Good to know: The modernisation acts of 2025 and 2026 extended the list of verfahrensfrei projects.
Quellen: BayBO Art. 58 (gesetze-bayern.de) · Landtag Bayern, Drucksache 19/6416 (Tiny Houses) · Bauministerium: Bauordnung und Vollzug

BerlinNo

Bauordnung: Bauordnung für Berlin (BauO Bln)
Without a procedure?: No. Only single-storey buildings up to 10 m² gross floor area are verfahrensfrei (§ 61).
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (§ 62) in the area of a Bebauungsplan, if the house complies with it and access and utilities are secured. Here the building control authority decides; building may start after one month.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 63).
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for buildings with at most two dwellings and up to 250 m² gross floor area also building technicians and master bricklayers, concrete builders or carpenters (§ 65 Abs. 3).
Good to know: The Gesetz für einfaches Bauen of 9 July 2026 changes the procedures once more, partly only from 20 January 2027.
Quellen: Senatsverwaltung: Synopse der Bauordnung (Januar 2026) · Abgeordnetenhaus, Drucksache 19/16329 (Tiny Houses)

BrandenburgNo

Bauordnung: Brandenburgische Bauordnung (BbgBO)
Without a procedure?: No. Only buildings without habitable rooms, toilets or fireplaces up to 75 m³ are verfahrensfrei (§ 61).
With a Bebauungsplan: Until 31 December 2026 the Bauanzeigeverfahren (§ 62) for residential buildings in building classes 1 and 2 in the area of a Bebauungsplan; building may start one month after receipt. From 1 January 2027 a Genehmigungsfreistellung applies instead, then also in the unplanned Innenbereich (§ 34 BauGB); building may start after six weeks.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 63).
Who may submit the application: For detached buildings up to 150 m² floor area and at most two storeys, no person qualified to submit building plans is needed (§ 65). A structural engineer must still verify the structural calculations (§ 66).
Good to know: The amendment of 29 June 2026 brings the new procedures from 2027.
Quellen: BbgBO (bravors.brandenburg.de) · GVBl. I 2026 Nr. 20

BremenNo

Bauordnung: Bremische Landesbauordnung (BremLBO)
Without a procedure?: No. Only buildings up to 10 m² gross floor area are verfahrensfrei; weekend houses only in designated weekend house areas (§ 61).
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung for residential buildings (§ 62) in the area of a Bebauungsplan; the municipality can require a procedure within one month.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 63).
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for detached residential buildings in building classes 1 to 3 also registered graduates, for single-family houses up to 200 m² also master craftsmen and state-certified technicians (§ 65).
Good to know: A draft bill from August 2026 is intended to extend the Freistellung from 2027.
Quellen: Bremisches Gesetzblatt 2024 Nr. 60 (BremLBO) · Senatorin für Bau: Tiny Houses, Projekte für Bremen

HamburgNo

Bauordnung: Hamburgische Bauordnung (HBauO)
Without a procedure?: No. Only single-storey buildings without habitable rooms up to 30 m³ are verfahrensfrei.
With a Bebauungsplan: Since 1 January 2026 Genehmigungsfreistellung for residential buildings in building classes 1 and 2 (§ 62) in the area of a Bebauungsplan, not in conservation areas; building may start after one month. Plots with old Baustufenpläne (an older type of zoning plan) remain in the simplified procedure.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 63); after two months without a decision the permit counts as granted.
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for building classes 1 and 2 also graduates, master craftsmen and state-certified building technicians (§ 65 Abs. 3).
Good to know: In Hamburg, tiny houses on a chassis count as caravans and may only stand on approved caravan pitches.
Quellen: HBauO 2025, Lesefassung · Behörde für Stadtentwicklung: neue Bauordnung ab 2026 · FAQ zu § 45 HBauO (Tiny Houses)

HesseNo

Bauordnung: Hessische Bauordnung (HBO)
Without a procedure?: No. Only buildings without habitable rooms, toilets or fireplaces up to 30 m³ are verfahrensfrei.
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (§ 64) in the area of a Bebauungsplan, if no dispensation is needed. Since 14 October 2025 also for residential buildings in the unplanned Innenbereich (§ 64a, until the end of 2030). Building may start if the municipality does not require a procedure within one month.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 65); decision within three months, otherwise the permit counts as granted.
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for residential buildings with at most two dwellings and up to 200 m² living space also master craftsmen and state-certified building technicians (§ 67 Abs. 4).
Quellen: Wirtschaftsministerium: HBO, Stand Oktober 2025 · Architektenkammer Hessen: Synopse Baupaket I

Mecklenburg-Western PomeraniaNo

Bauordnung: Landesbauordnung Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LBauO M-V)
Without a procedure?: No. Buildings up to 10 m², those without habitable rooms up to 40 m², and weekend houses up to 40 m² only on weekend sites are verfahrensfrei (§ 61).
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (§ 62) for buildings in building class 1 in the area of a Bebauungsplan; building may start after one month without objection.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 63), decision within three months.
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for building classes 1 and 2 also registered graduates, master craftsmen and state-certified technicians (§ 65).
Good to know: The Landesbauordnung was amended in 2025 and in May 2026.
Quellen: Landtag M-V, Drucksache 8/5681 · IHK Schwerin: Änderung der Landesbauordnung 2026

Lower SaxonyNo

Bauordnung: Niedersächsische Bauordnung (NBauO)
Without a procedure?: No. Only buildings without habitable rooms, toilets and fireplaces up to 75 m³ (40 m³ in the Außenbereich) are verfahrensfrei.
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreie Baumaßnahme (permit-free building work, § 62) for residential buildings in residential and small settlement areas of a Bebauungsplan, not in mixed or village areas. The municipality must confirm in writing that access and utilities are secured. The design must come from an architect or engineer.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 63).
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; master craftsmen and state-certified technicians only in the permit procedure (§ 53 Abs. 4).
Good to know: Since 1 July 2024 there has been § 85b for relocatable residential buildings up to 75 m³, which the ministry explicitly describes as mobile tiny houses: if you move, you need a procedure again at the new location, but no new location-independent certificates.
Quellen: NBauO (voris) · Wirtschaftsministerium: FAQ zur NBauO

North Rhine-WestphaliaNo

Bauordnung: Landesbauordnung 2018 (BauO NRW)
Without a procedure?: No. Only buildings up to 75 m³ without habitable rooms, stables, toilets or fireplaces are verfahrensfrei (§ 62).
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (§ 63, newly worded since 1 September 2026) in the area of a Bebauungsplan, if access and utilities are secured; building may start one month after receipt if the municipality does not require a procedure. You can also apply for a permit instead.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 64).
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for building classes 1 and 2 also registered master bricklayers, concrete builders and carpenters (§ 67 Abs. 4a).
Quellen: BauO NRW, Fassung ab 1.9.2026 (recht.nrw.de)

Rhineland-PalatinateNo

Bauordnung: Landesbauordnung Rheinland-Pfalz (LBauO)
Without a procedure?: No. Only buildings up to 50 m³ (10 m³ in the Außenbereich) without habitable rooms, toilets or fireplaces are verfahrensfrei (§ 62).
With a Bebauungsplan: Freistellungsverfahren (§ 67) for residential buildings in building classes 1 to 3 in the area of a Bebauungsplan; here it is mandatory, not optional. The documents go to the municipal administration; building may start after one month.
Otherwise: Simplified permit procedure (§ 66), since 1 January 2026 handled by the building control authority.
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; registered graduates, technicians and master craftsmen for residential buildings in building classes 1 and 2 up to 100 m² floor area (§ 64 Abs. 3).
Good to know: Since 1 November 2025, deviations are also meant to be granted for trialling new forms of building and living (§ 69).
Quellen: Ministerium: Synopse der LBauO · Rundschreiben zur neuen LBauO

SaarlandMaybe

Bauordnung: Landesbauordnung Saarland (LBO)
Without a procedure?: Maybe. Single-storey buildings up to 75 m³ gross volume are verfahrensfrei outside the Außenbereich (§ 61), without habitable rooms being excluded. Check with the building control authority beforehand whether this applies to a dwelling with a sleeping loft.
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (§ 63) in the area of a Bebauungsplan; building may start one month after receipt by the municipality.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 64).
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for residential buildings in building class 1, in part also master craftsmen, technicians and engineers (§ 66 Abs. 4).
Good to know: The limit for verfahrensfrei buildings was raised to 75 m³ in 2025.
Quellen: Amtsblatt des Saarlandes 2025, Teil I Nr. 15a

SaxonyMaybe

Bauordnung: Sächsische Bauordnung (SächsBO)
Without a procedure?: Maybe. Buildings up to 75 m³ gross volume are verfahrensfrei outside the Außenbereich (§ 61), without habitable rooms being excluded. Ask the building office beforehand how it sees this for a dwelling.
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (§ 62) in the area of a Bebauungsplan; building may start three weeks after confirmed receipt.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 63).
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for detached, single-storey buildings up to 80 m² gross floor area also master bricklayers, concrete builders or carpenters (§ 65 Abs. 3).
Quellen: SächsBO (revosax.sachsen.de)

Saxony-AnhaltNo

Bauordnung: Bauordnung des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt (BauO LSA)
Without a procedure?: No. Only single-storey buildings up to 10 m² floor area are verfahrensfrei (§ 60).
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (§ 61) for residential buildings in building classes 1 to 3 in the area of a Bebauungsplan.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 62).
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; for building classes 1 and 2 also master craftsmen, state-certified building technicians and graduates (§ 64 Abs. 5).
Good to know: The amendment of January 2026 is mainly aimed at conversions of existing buildings.
Quellen: Ministerium für Infrastruktur und Digitales: Novelle der Bauordnung

Schleswig-HolsteinNo

Bauordnung: Landesbauordnung Schleswig-Holstein (LBO)
Without a procedure?: No. Only buildings without habitable rooms, toilets and fireplaces up to 30 m³ (10 m³ in the Außenbereich) are verfahrensfrei.
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (§ 62) in the area of a Bebauungsplan; building may start after one month.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 63); after three months without a decision the permit counts as granted.
Who may submit the application: For residential buildings in building class 1 also master craftsmen, technicians and graduates (§ 65 Abs. 3), but then only in the regular permit procedure: the Freistellung and the simplified procedure need a design by an architect or engineer (§ 65 Abs. 5).
Good to know: The interior ministry explicitly names tiny houses as a new form of housing for which deviations should be granted (Vollzugsbekanntmachung, March 2026), and published a study on tiny houses in 2023.
Quellen: Ministerium: Bauordnung · Vollzugsbekanntmachung zur LBO · Studie Tiny Houses (2023)

ThuringiaHardly

Bauordnung: Thüringer Bauordnung (ThürBO)
Without a procedure?: Hardly. Single-storey buildings up to 10 m² floor area are verfahrensfrei (§ 63); in June 2026 the state parliament decided to raise the limit to 30 m². Whether a dwelling falls under this is unclear, so ask beforehand.
With a Bebauungsplan: Genehmigungsfreistellung (§ 64) for buildings in building classes 1 to 3 in the area of a Bebauungsplan.
Otherwise: Simplified building permit procedure (§ 65); after three months without a decision the permit counts as granted.
Who may submit the application: Architect or engineer; graduates for residential buildings in building classes 1 to 3; since 2026 also registered master craftsmen and technicians for detached residential buildings in building classes 1 and 2 (§ 67).
Quellen: Thüringer Landtag, Drucksache 8/3762

Bavaria, Saxony, Saarland

Our houses up to 75 m³

Roughly calculated from the external dimensions (length × width × height), these houses stay under 75 m³. The building office calculates the gross volume more precisely; with a gable roof and chassis it is usually smaller. Your building office will tell you whether a dwelling is verfahrensfrei on this basis.

Where can I put my house? →

Someone does it for you

The application, without writing it yourself

We work with Archiformus, an architecture firm that submits tiny house applications all over Germany. First comes a feasibility check for 480 € including VAT: reading the Bebauungsplan and the cadastral map, calling the building office, and you find out whether a permit is realistic and which route applies.

If the result is positive, the full building application costs 2 800 € including VAT. Site visits are not included, and some states additionally require an official site plan from a surveyor. We provide drawings, weights, U-values and the technical documents free of charge.

For the energy requirements, the Gebäudemodernisierungsgesetz (GModG) has applied since 29 July 2026. What that means for our houses is explained in the frequently asked questions.

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Good to know

Frequently asked questions about the Baugenehmigung

Is a tiny house on wheels a vehicle or a building?

As long as it is roadworthy, not connected and only parked temporarily, it is usually a vehicle. As soon as it is used permanently as a home on a plot, building offices treat it as a building. In Hamburg, tiny houses on a chassis may only stand on approved caravan pitches.

What is a qualified Bebauungsplan?

A Bebauungsplan that sets at least the type and extent of use, the buildable areas of the plot and the traffic areas (§ 30 Abs. 1 BauGB). Your municipality can tell you whether there is one for your plot; many municipalities have their plans online.

Can I register my residence there?

A house with a Baugenehmigung (building permit) and a completed final building inspection can be registered as a main residence. Without them, it can't.

How long does it take?

With a Bebauungsplan and Freistellung you may build after two to six weeks, if the documents are complete. In the simplified procedure, expect three to six months from the first meeting at the building office. We build your house in three to six months, so both can run in parallel.

What is the Bau-Turbo?

Since 30 October 2025, municipalities can approve housing that deviates from the Bebauungsplan under § 246e BauGB. This has made some tiny house projects easier. The municipality must agree.

Can I see a tiny house?

Yes, with owners in Germany who show their house. More under viewings. You can find more about financing under financing.

We'll look at your plot with you

Tell us where your plot is and what the Bebauungsplan says, and we'll check which houses fit and send you the documents for your building office. It costs nothing.

[email protected] · +46 (0)18 25 88 99

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