What is a conservation statute and why is it important?
Preservation statutes in accordance with Section 172 of the German Building Code (BauGB) are an instrument of special urban development law. It serves to protect and preserve areas that are of particular importance to the townscape or cityscape of a municipality.
Why is this important?
Towns and districts live from their unmistakable character, which is characterized by historic buildings, established structures and social diversity. The preservation statutes ensure that these values are not lost through uncontrolled structural changes. It creates a framework in which necessary modernization and development can be reconciled with the protection of the townscape and townscape.
What does this mean for owners and those looking to build?
Within the scope of a conservation statute, a distinction is made between projects that do not require approval and those that do. Renovation work and maintenance measures without structural changes, among other things, do not require approval. On the other hand, projects involving structural and design changes require approval.
Approval is reviewed on a case-by-case basis based on the conservation objectives. However, requiring approval does not mean inadmissible. It is ensured that new measures blend harmoniously into the existing townscape.
All conservation statutes in detail:
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Permit application
For all The same application for approval applies to all conservation areas.
What is exempt from approval and what is subject to approval?
Renovation work and maintenance measures without structural alterationsdo not require approval . For example- for example, the renewal of the façade paint in the same color,
- the repair of roofs while retaining the materiality and design,
- Renovation including replacement of façade material while retaining the materiality and design.
Approval is required for projects involving structural or design changes, such as
- for example, demolition, new construction, extensions,
- energy-efficient renovation of exterior walls (e.g. change in wall thickness),
- Installation of PV systems (subject to approval, but unobjectionable).
However, subject to approval does not mean inadmissible!
This application for approval is a provisional form, as it takes longer to create a new one. The same form applies to all maintenance statutes. As soon as the final form is ready, it will be exchanged. We ask for your understanding.
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FAQ - Frequently asked questions
What is the central aim of the preservation statute? What is it essentially about?
A preservation statute is there to preserve the (still) existing urban qualities in an area with special architectural, urban development and urban design characteristics. These can be historic half-timbered structures such as those in Fallersleben and Vorsfelde or the significant evidence of late modern urban development in Detmerode.When does the preservation statute apply?
Once the statutes have been approved by Wolfsburg City Council, the conservation statutes become legally binding once they have been published in the official gazette.Who can I contact if I have any questions?
The Redevelopment and Urban Design Department of the Urban Planning and Building Consultancy Division is responsible for the implementation of the conservation statutes. Your contacts are Kathrin Göttler (phone: 05361-28 2820, kathrin.goettler@stadt.wolfsburg.de), Pierre Rey (phone: 05361-28 2781, pierre.rey@stadt.wolfsburg.de) and Anja Meyer (phone: 05361-28 2605, anja.meyer@stadt.wolfsburg.de).
Do I first have to submit a planning application with my project or can I get advice on my changes in advance?
Of course it is possible and also advisable to seek advice before submitting an application. The Redevelopment and Urban Design Department of the Urban Planning and Building Consultancy Division is responsible for this. Contact persons are Pierre Rey (phone: 05361-28 2781, pierre.rey@stadt.wolfsburg.de) and Kathrin Göttler (phone: 05361-28 2820, kathrin.goettler@stadt.wolfsburg.de).
What is the difference between projects that do not require approval and those that do?
Permit-free: Renovation work and maintenance measures without structural changes
- for example, repainting the façade in the same color,
- the repair of roofs while retaining the materiality and design,
- Renovation including replacement of façade material while retaining the materiality and design.
Subject to approval: projects with structural or design changes
- for example demolition, new construction, extensions,
- energy-efficient renovation of exterior walls (e.g. change in wall thickness),
- Installation of PV systems (subject to approval, but unobjectionable).
However, it is important to note that requiring approval does not mean impermissible!
Which changes are permitted and which are not?
It is not possible to say in general terms what is permitted and what is not. The desired project always depends on the individual case. In principle, however, it can be said that higher standards apply to areas that are very homogeneous and still original than to areas that have already been heavily altered.
One example: If changes are to be made to the façade, then this is possible in principle, but only to the extent that the townscape is not altered. If, for example, red clinker brick is characteristic of the area and is predominantly present in the neighborhood, a new white plaster façade will not be possible.
It is advisable to contact the colleagues from the cityscape conservation department directly with any proposed changes.What criteria are decisive for changes?
The criteria vary from conservation statute to conservation statute and cannot be answered in general terms. The criteria can be found in the respective characteristic design features. If you have any questions, please contact the city administration.Am I allowed to make changes to my façade and windows?
Changes always depend on the individual case. The aim of the conservation statutes is to preserve the buildings that characterize the district. Facades and windows have a very significant impact on the townscape in relation to the street. Changes are therefore dependent on whether there is a uniform appearance in the surrounding area and whether the project contradicts this.
The renovation of façades and windows with the same materials (e.g. wood to wood) and design (e.g. division of the windows) is unobjectionable under conservation law and does not require approval. If you have any doubts about whether a project is exempt from approval, please contact our colleagues in the cityscape conservation department (see contact details).There are legal requirements for the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings that must be complied with (for example, the Building Energy Act -__-0000-__-). What then applies to me? The GEG or the conservation statutes?
If the energy-efficient refurbishment would impair the appearance of the building, it is possible to deviate from the energy-efficient building refurbishment. This is stated in section 105 GEG. This means that the conservation statute would be weighted more heavily if the building is worth preserving.
In principle, however, structural changes must always be considered on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine in advance what is permitted and what is not. It is advisable to contact the specialist administration directly with any planned changes.Are there also specifications for refurbishment measures inside the building?
Structural measures that relate exclusively to the interior of a building are not covered by the regulations of the conservation statutes. The reason for this is that these measures have no so-called "relevance under land law" and do not impair the appearance of the building as defined by the conservation statutes.
Can I build a photovoltaic system on my roof?
The installation of PV systems is subject to approval, but is unobjectionable. Care should be taken to avoid structural disfigurement. This already applies under Section 10 of the Lower Saxony Building Code (prohibition of defacement).
What about green roofs, is this permitted?
The creation of a green roof is a structural change and therefore requires approval. However, as a rule, it does not impair the external appearance of buildings worthy of preservation.
Unfortunately, for legal reasons, it is not possible to determine in advance what is permitted and what is not. It is advisable to contact the colleagues at the Cityscape Conservation Department directly with any proposed changes.Can I carry out a flat roof renovation if the height of my roof changes?
Roof renovations that lead to a change in the height of the structure are subject to approval. According to the current state of the art, a higher roof structure is often necessary for flat roof renovations. This means that the parapet wall can be changed to a small extent. Minor heightening is therefore possible, as long as the design of the parapet wall does not noticeably deviate from the surroundings.
However, it is important to note that requiring approval does not mean inadmissible!
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Contact persons
If you have any questions about the refurbishment, renovation or repair of your buildings, we will be happy to help.
Write us an e-mail, give us a call or make an appointment.
City of Wolfsburg
Urban planning and building consultancy
Redevelopment and urban design team
Town Hall B | Porschestraße 49 | 38440 Wolfsburg
Telephone: 05361-28 2165
eMail: sekretariat.06@stadt.wolfsburg.de
Or directly to the colleagues in Redevelopment and Cityscape Conservation:
Kathrin Göttler
Room B371
Phone: 05361-28 2820
eMail: kathrin.goettler@stadt.wolfsburg.de
Pierre Rey
Room B371
Phone: 05361-28 2781
eMail: pierre.rey@stadt.wolfsburg.de
Anja Meyer
Room B314
Phone: 05361-28 2605
eMail: anja.meyer@stadt.wolfsburg.de