Not everyone wants to build a brick garage on their property. Not everyone can do this. However, everyone wants to protect their car from harmful external factors such as precipitation, high or low temperatures, and UV rays. Therefore, in such situations it seems a good idea to build a wooden garage. This lightweight construction constitutes a popular solution for those looking for a functional and economical wooden terrace roof for their car. But, does a wooden garage require a building permit? We provide the answer.
Definition of a wooden garage according to building law
The building law does not provide a precise definition of a wooden garage, but from the interpretation of various regulations it became common that it is a lightweight pole structure permanently attached to the ground (e.g. through foundations). In turn, the key elements of a wooden garage consist in a roof and supporting columns. A wooden garage usually does not have walls on most sides, which sets it apart from full-fledged buildings.
Importantly, the building law does not indicate the type of wooden garage or its purpose. Therefore, the above definition should be understood as the definition of any wooden garage you wish to erect on your plot. Regardless of whether a car, bicycles, or even a strut pool will be located under it. Therefore, is it necessary to have a building permit for its construction? Not always.
When is a building permit for a wooden garage not needed?
In some cases, it is possible to construct a wooden garage without obtaining a building permit. At this point, reference should be made to the provisions of Art. 29 Construction and works not requiring a building permit in the Act of 7 July 1994 on Building Law (as amended).
Art. 29 point 1.14c reads:
A building permit decision is not required, but notification referred to in Art. 30 is required for the construction of:
freestanding wooden garages
– with a built-up area of up to 35 m2, the total number of these constructions on a plot may not exceed two per each 500 m2 of plot area;
In the aforementioned article we can find information that says that a wooden garage without a permit is possible, provided that we meet certain criteria.
Firstly, on plots of land not developed with housing:
- the wooden garage can be a maximum of 35 m²
- and a maximum of two such structures may be erected per 500 m² plot.
Notification of construction of a wooden garage
In the aforementioned case, it is necessary to notify the construction of a wooden garage to the relevant Authority/County Office. An form must be submitted to declare the construction or performance of other construction work without a permit. The form is often accompanied by other documents, such as a declaration of the right to manage the plot, or a design of the wooden garage with drawings.
After submitting the form, the relevant authority has 21 days to consider it. If the developer is not informed about rejecting the form within this period, he or she can proceed with the construction on the basis of a so-called tacit consent.
Consequences of failure to comply with formalities
Failure to comply with the application formalities or to observe the required conditions may result in the structure being declared an arbitrary construction, with the possibility of a fine. The amount of the fine is calculated in accordance with the Building Law.
OK, but can a wooden garage be built without a permit and without a notification? Yes.
A wooden garage without permission and without notification – is it possible?
No permit or notification is required for the construction of a wooden garage on plots with a residential building or intended for residential development, as long as the wooden garage does not exceed an area of 50 m2.
What is important is the interpretation of point 2.2 of Art. 29 of the Building Law, which reads:
A building permit decision or the notification referred to in Art. 30 is not required for the construction of:
wooden garages with a built-up area of up to 50 m2, situated on a plot on which a residential building is located, or intended for residential development, with the total number of such wooden garages on a plot not exceeding two for each 1000 m2 of plot area;
This means that you can erect one wooden garage of up to 50 m2 for every 1,000 m2 of your property. However, if you want to build a wooden garage on a plot of land, you need to take into account another important legal regulation – the Local Spatial Development Plan.
Verify the LSDP before building a wooden garage
The Local Spatial Development Plan (LSDP) determines how the plot of land can be used and what parameters the structure you intend to construct on it must meet. It is worth checking with your local authority whether your plot is included in such a plan.
What to bear in mind when building a wooden garage?
A wooden garage is a structure floating on the ground and permanently attached to the substrate. Now you know when you don’t need a permit and when you need to report the construction to the County Office, but you have to pay attention to one more aspect of the Building Law – the distance from the neighbouring plot.
The Building Law discussed today contains provisions which state that it is possible to build parking stands for cars accommodating up to 10 cars, but they must be located at least 3 metres from the plot boundary and at least 7 metres from the windows of the neighbouring residential building.
Do you want to build a wooden garage without a permit? Choose a modern carport from Pinegard
A wooden garage with an area that does not exceed 50 m2 will successfully accommodate 2 or even 3 cars under its roof. As you can see, constructing it on a building plot does not require a permit or notification. Therefore, if you decide to erect it and want it to create a stylish combination with your garden, commission the construction to us.
At Pinegard, we create minimalist and designer garden structures from high-quality wood. Thanks to this you will receive a functional and aesthetically pleasing space for your car, which we call a carport.
