Rhineland‑Palatinate LBauO—1 Jan 2026 changes and 19 Sep 2026 draft

The law now in force since 1 January 2026

Rhineland‑Palatinate’s Second Act to amend building regulations (Zweites Landesgesetz zur Änderung baurechtlicher Vorschriften) was adopted on 22 September 2025. Most provisions took effect on 1 November 2025, but a further block entered into force on 1 January 2026. The state publishes a clause‑by‑clause synoptic and an official consolidated change text. Key cites below refer to the LBauO paragraphs as amended. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf))

Where you file. From 1 January 2026, a building permit application (Bauantrag) must be filed with the Bauaufsichtsbehörde (building control authority), not with the municipal administration. The Bauaufsichtsbehörde then forwards it to the municipality for its planning consent, if required. This reverses the previous routing and is explicit in § 63(1) and (3) LBauO. ([umwelt-online.de](https://www.umwelt-online.de/regelwerk/bau/laender/rp/z25_0549.htm))

Deadlines and approval by silence. In the simplified procedure (§ 66 LBauO), the decision deadlines were re‑set. For the common categories in § 66(1) Nos. 1–10, the authority must decide within 1 month; for § 66(2) and (3) within 3 months. The start of the clock is defined: 15 working days after the application (or after requested documents arrive). If the authority misses the deadline, the building permit is deemed granted (“Genehmigungsfiktion”). This fiction does not apply to outside‑area projects under § 35 BauGB. For renewable‑energy plants under § 66(1) No. 11, the state also set maximum total durations: under 150 kW, no longer than 1 year; otherwise 2 years; each extendable by up to 1 year in exceptional cases. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf))

Access to a public road. § 6(2) LBauO tightened what “secured access” means and extended the list of outside‑area projects that may rely on a service track: it now expressly covers BauGB § 35(1) Nos. 1–6, 8 and 9. A non‑drivable residential path (Wohnweg) may suffice if fire safety is ensured. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf))

Digital notices. Several provisions were updated so that decisions can be “announced” digitally under § 9(1) OZG (Online Access Act), not only served by postal delivery (e.g., § 74(1), § 77(1), § 83). This block took effect on 1 January 2026. ([umwelt-online.de](https://www.umwelt-online.de/regelwerk/bau/laender/rp/z25_0549.htm))

Baulast and the cadastre. § 86(3) LBauO now requires that Baulast entries be notified to the competent “Vermessungs‑ und Katasterbehörden” (plural), rather than the single “Vermessungs‑ und Katasteramt”. This change applies from 1 January 2026 and is relevant for due diligence and title checks. ([umwelt-online.de](https://www.umwelt-online.de/regelwerk/bau/laender/rp/z25_0549.htm))

Fire and conversion easings within existing stock. New § 44(8)–(10) allows certain conversions of legally existing buildings into residential use, attic conversions and two‑storey additions with adjusted (not full new‑build) fire‑safety requirements, provided compensatory measures like smoke extraction of the stairwell are met; high‑rises are excluded. ([umwelt-online.de](https://www.umwelt-online.de/regelwerk/bau/laender/rp/z25_0549.htm))

Abstandsflächen for existing buildings. New § 8(11) lists works that may proceed even where an existing façade does not meet today’s boundary offsets—e.g., internal alterations, use changes, compliant porches and even vertical extensions that do not exceed the building’s existing offset envelope. It also allows energy‑saving measures and solar installations that reduce the offset by up to 0.40 m. ([umwelt-online.de](https://www.umwelt-online.de/regelwerk/bau/laender/rp/z25_0549.htm))

Permit thresholds you can actually use

The LBauO keeps a long list of permit‑free items (§ 62). These are the most relevant thresholds for small works; other laws (monuments, nature protection) still apply:

- Small buildings up to 50 m³ cubage, or 10 m³ in the outside area (Außenbereich), without rooms of habitation, toilets or fireplaces; garden sheds in allotments are explicitly listed. Garages and sales stands are not covered by this item. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf)) - Private garages, roofed bicycle parking and bicycle stands up to 50 m² footprint with max average external wall height 3.20 m (gable walls ≤ 4 m); not outside area, and not near listed monuments. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf)) - Heat pumps and fuel‑cell heaters are permit‑free; for those that qualify as “feuerstätten,” the specialist‑installer rule in § 62(1) No. 2(a) applies. Building‑attached PV on roofs and façades is permit‑free except on high‑rises; small ground‑mounted PV in commercial/industrial zones is permit‑free up to 3 m height and 9 m total length. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf)) - New from the 2025/26 act: permit‑free PV when a local Satzung under § 88 sets location/size and the installation matches it; plus small hydrogen production for on‑site self‑consumption, and combined H₂ generator‑and‑use devices with storage up to 20 kg. ([umwelt-online.de](https://www.umwelt-online.de/regelwerk/bau/laender/rp/z25_0549.htm)) - Charging points for EVs outside buildings are permit‑free, including necessary service equipment. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf)) - Antennas up to 15 m on buildings are permit‑free; in the outside area, free‑standing masts up to 20 m are also permit‑free (monument areas excluded). Micro‑wind turbines are permit‑free up to 10 m total height (or 2 m on roofs) in commercial/industrial zones and, in the outside area, if they serve a § 35(1) BauGB‑privileged use. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf))

If your project needs a permit but qualifies for the simplified procedure (§ 66)—for example, dwellings up to building class 3, non‑commercial buildings up to 300 m³, garages up to 100 m², stand‑alone PV, and other renewables per § 66(1) Nos. 1–11—the state defines which structural and energy proofs must be on file by construction start and when the approval‑by‑silence kicks in. For masts/antennas up to 50 m, only a structural safety certificate is needed (§ 66(2) sentence 3). ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf))

What to file in Mainz and Koblenz

- Building permit route. Since 1 January 2026 you submit the Bauantrag to the Bauaufsichtsbehörde; it forwards to the municipality for its consent. Mainz explicitly confirms the new routing on its service page for permits. Koblenz’s service pages set out the same framework. ([umwelt-online.de](https://www.umwelt-online.de/regelwerk/bau/laender/rp/z25_0549.htm)) - Digital filing. The state expects full roll‑out of the digital building application during 2026, with PDF/A as the required format for each document. Mainz has accepted digital Bauanträge and Bauvoranfragen since 13 April 2026 and—during a transition—asks for two paper copies in addition; signatures of designer/owner are no longer required on paper if filed electronically. ([mkbwk.rlp.de](https://mkbwk.rlp.de/themen/baurecht-und-bautechnik/digitaler-bauantrag?utm_source=openai)) - Plans and site data. For a permit, you will typically need a Lageplan (site plan) to state standards; Mainz issues official site plans for its territory and charges per the state schedule. ([mainz.de](https://mainz.de/vv/produkte/bauamt/lageplan-bauantrag-beantragen?utm_source=openai)) - Baulast due diligence. Before exchange, order a Baulastenverzeichnis extract for the plot. Mainz and Koblenz both provide this service; since 1 January 2026, Baulast entries are also notified to the surveying and cadastre authorities under § 86(3) LBauO (which improves cross‑referencing in the cadastre). ([mainz.de](https://mainz.de/vv/produkte/bauamt/baulastenverzeichnis-auskunft-beantragen?utm_source=openai)) - Timing. In the simplified procedure, budget 1–3 months once the 15‑working‑day start trigger is met; renewable plants under § 66(1) No. 11 have hard caps of 1–2 years depending on size, extendable by 1 year in exceptional cases. Approval by silence can apply if the authority misses the basic 1–3 month decision deadline; it does not apply to § 35 BauGB outside‑area projects. Consider this carefully in contracts with long‑stop dates. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf))

Risk note. “Permit‑free” does not mean exemption from all rules: listed‑building, environmental, road and neighbor‑rights law still apply, and some items remain subject to notification or to technical proofs at start of works. For complex questions, retain a local architect (Entwurfsverfasser) or specialist counsel. ([fm.rlp.de](https://fm.rlp.de/fileadmin/04/Themen/Baurecht_und_Bautechnik/Bauvorschriften/Bauordnungsrecht/Synopse_Zweites_Landesgesetz_zur_AEnderung_baurechtlicher_Vorschriften.pdf))

A fresh draft uploaded on 19 September 2026—what it signals

On 19 September 2026 the state’s Verkündungsplattform updated the dataset “Draft of a Fourth Act to amend the LBauO” and (re)published the Ministerrat decision record. The one‑page document reflects the cabinet’s 7 June 2022 decision to launch consultations. Its policy direction is clear: reduce Abstandsflächen for wind turbines; enable procedure shortcuts for PV on open land; increase bicycle parking; and lower Abstandsflächen and expand permit‑free status for mobile masts to accelerate digital coverage. This is not yet law; it is a signal of likely future changes that would ease renewables and telecoms deployment once a bill is tabled. Monitor the dataset for the actual bill text. ([verkuendung.rlp.de](https://verkuendung.rlp.de/de/suchergebnisse/dataset/entwurf-eines-vierten-landesgesetzes-zur-anderung-der-landesbauordnung-rheinland-pfalz))