| Good to know
Minor building-permits in Flanders
Not all constructions have the same impact on the landscape. In order to minimise processing time for so-called "minor works", in the Flemish region, some types of work can be performed without planning permission or architect's plans. Such cases are referred to simply as "minor permits". |
Permit applications for minor works are identical to normal applications, except that the procedures are less stringent and the response times are shorter.
Here are a few common examples of "minor works", as well as details of the conditions for exemption from obtaining planning permission and hiring an architect:
Building a terrace
Do I need planning permission?
No, provided that:
- its surface is smaller than 50 m²;
- it is not more than 30 m from your house;
- the ground level is not changed;
- it is not in the front garden;
- it is at least 1 m from the boundaries of the property.
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Do I need to hire an architect?
No, never.
Building a garage
Do I need planning permission?
Yes, always.
Do I need to hire an architect?
No, provided that:
- its surface is smaller than 30 m²;
- the height of its cornice doesn't exceed 3 m;
- the total height of the garage doesn't exceed 4.5 m.
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If any of these conditions is not met, you will need architect's plans.
Building a veranda
Do I need planning permission?
Yes, always.
Do I need to hire an architect?
No, provided that:
- its surface is smaller than 30 m²;
- the height of its cornice doesn't exceed 3 m;
- the total height of the veranda doesn't exceed 4.5 m.
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If any of these conditions is not met, you will need architect's plans.
Building a garden shed
Do I need planning permission?
No, provided that:
- the shed is made of wood;
- its surface does not exceed 10 m²;
- the height of its cornice doesn't exceed 2.5 m;
- its total height doesn't exceed 3 m.
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Do I need to hire an architect?
No, provided that:
- its surface is smaller than 30 m²;
- the height of its cornice doesn't exceed 3 m;
- the total height of the shed doesn't exceed 4.5 m.
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If any of these conditions is not met, you will need architect's plans.
Building an outdoor swimming pool
Do I need planning permission?
Yes, always.
Do I need to hire an architect?
No, provided that:
- its surface is smaller than 150 m²;
- it is at least 2 m from the boundaries of the property and any buildings.
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If any of these conditions is not met, you will need architect's plans.
Digging a pond
Do I need planning permission?
No, provided that:
- the pond and its equipment do not cover an area of more than 30 m²;
- the entire pond (+ equipment) is not more than 30 m from your house;
- the work is not carried out in an environmentally sensitive area.
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NB: Two 20 m² ponds will be counted as one 40 m2 pond. Consequently, planning permission will be required.
Do I need to hire an architect?
No, under the same conditions as for the permit. But in addition, the pond must stand at a minimum of 1 meter from the limits of your grounds.
If any of these conditions is not met, you will need architect's plans.
Putting up a fence or building a wall
Do I need planning permission?
Planning permission is required for all fences and walls, other than:
- fences made of wooden posts with barbed wire or electric fences;
- fences no more than 2 m high, made of metal or concrete posts with metal wire or mesh, or a concrete slap of no more than 40 cm high with metal wire or mesh;
- low brick walls for the front garden, no more than 50 cm high;
- wrought iron gates, hung between two pillars, no more than 2 m high.
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The installation of fences made of wooden panels, concrete slaps or masonry do indeed require a planning permission.
Do I need to hire an architect?
No, never.
Important note:
Article 99 §3 of the D.R.O. (Flemish Decree on Regional Planning) does, however, make provision for local and provincial authorities to depart from these rules for minor permits. They may therefore make planning permission compulsory for the cases listed above, should they consider it necessary.
Useful addresses:
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