As a property owner, you are certainly interested in ensuring that the height of your new garden wall matches the overall appearance of your property. However, you also have to observe legal regulations that specify how high the small structure can be. Last but not least, you should come to an agreement with the residents on this matter, because a wall that is too high always leads to discord between neighbors.
How high can a garden wall be?
The height of a garden wall is regulated differently across the country and depends on state building regulations and local development plans. Usual heights are between 40 and 90 centimeters for symbolic boundaries and 180 centimeters for privacy walls.
The maximum height
This is regulated inconsistently nationwide. In addition to the applicable state building regulations, each municipality can issue its own regulations, which you can find in the local development plan.
However, there are guidelines that you can follow:
- Walls that represent a symbolic border may be 40 to 90 centimeters high.
- For privacy walls, a height of 180 centimeters is usually the upper limit.
In addition, depending on the federal state, a minimum distance from neighboring property must be maintained.
Garden wall directly on the property boundary
In this case, neighborhood law applies. Here too, local requirements differ regarding the height of a garden wall. If this serves to fence the property, in most federal states it must be at least 120 centimeters high and a maximum of 180 centimeters high.
In your federal state, however, the permitted or required amount may differ from these values. In addition, each municipality may have its own regulations.
Better to talk to the neighbors in advance
Some people find partially enclosing the property disturbing. Therefore, in almost all federal states, the written consent of the immediate residents must be obtained before the garden wall is built.
If they agree to the construction, the wall may even exceed the maximum dimensions. However, if the neighbor does not agree, for example because he does not want shadows to be cast through the garden wall, you will have to forego the desired privacy screen.
The wall must be “local”
An important aspect for approval by the municipality is “local custom. This means that the appearance of the wall must correspond to the prevailing fencing in a delimitable environment. However, deviations from this are possible, otherwise there would be uniformity and no local custom.
Tip
It is always advisable to visit the local building authority before erecting the garden wall. There you can not only find out about the regulations that apply where you live, but also submit a building application directly.
