Demolishing a garage, carport or extension: permit and process
An old garage, a carport or an extension that is no longer needed: anyone who wants to have something like this demolished usually asks first about permits and process. This guide shows what the Landesbauordnung (LBO, the Baden-Württemberg building code) says, what you should clarify beforehand, and how a demolition usually runs.
General orientation for Baden-Württemberg. For your individual case, the local building authority (Baurechtsbehörde) decides.
Do I need a permit for the demolition?
In principle, building and demolishing structures needs a building permit, unless the Landesbauordnung provides otherwise. For many garages, carports and outbuildings, an exception applies: the demolition is verfahrensfrei (no permit procedure required, § 50 Abs. 3).
Demolition is exempt, among other cases, for structures that may also be built without a procedure. These include garages, covered parking spaces (carports) included, with an average wall height of up to 3 metres and a floor area of up to 50 square metres, except in the Außenbereich (outside built-up areas). Demolishing freestanding buildings of building classes 1 and 3 is also exempt, as is demolishing other structures that are not buildings, up to 10 metres in height.
If none of these exceptions applies, the Kenntnisgabeverfahren (a notification procedure) is carried out for the demolition (§ 51 Abs. 3). It runs through the Baurechtsbehörde.
No procedure required does not mean no rules. Even then, public-law regulations must be complied with (§ 50 Abs. 5), and structural stability must be ensured during demolition work too (§ 13).
What applies to carports, sheds and garden houses?
For carports and covered parking spaces, the same limits apply as for garages. For sheds, garden houses and similar outbuildings, it depends on whether they are freestanding and which building class they fall into. That cannot be answered in general. The Baurechtsbehörde can clarify it for your building.
Demolishing an extension: what matters?
An extension is connected to the main building. So it is not “freestanding”, and the exception for freestanding buildings does not simply apply. It must also be clear how the main building stays stable and weatherproof after the demolition: the structural stability of other structures must not be put at risk (§ 13). The same applies to garages built directly onto the house or onto neighbouring buildings.
Whether your extension falls under one of the exceptions or needs a procedure is decided by the Baurechtsbehörde in each case. It is best to clarify this before work starts.
Special cases: listed buildings and neighbouring buildings
If the building is listed (Denkmalschutz), additional rules apply. For buildings on the property boundary or directly against a neighbouring building, the structural stability of the neighbouring wall may be affected. Clarify both with the responsible authority before you start.
How a demolition usually runs
- Enquiry with photos and a short description: what is to go, where is it, how is it connected?
- Site visit: we clarify access, construction type and what needs attention.
- Quote after the site visit, at a fixed price or on an hourly basis, as agreed.
- Agreeing the date and carrying out the demolition.
- Removal and disposal of the material that arises.
AS ABBRUCH carries out the demolition of garages, carports, outbuildings and extensions. We are happy to discuss the scale of your project in person. Simply describe your property.
What affects the price?
Specific prices cannot be given responsibly without a site visit. Typical factors are:
- Size and construction type of the building (masonry, concrete, timber)
- Foundation or floor slab, if these are to be removed as well
- Access and space for the work
- Connection to the main building or to neighbouring buildings
- Amount of material and its disposal
And the material?
A demolition produces material, usually including construction waste. AS ABBRUCH takes care of disposal as part of the work. A separate guide explains where construction waste belongs in Pforzheim and the Enzkreis if you want to hand it in yourself.
Guide: disposing of construction waste in Pforzheim and the Enzkreis →
Quick answers
Do you need a permit to demolish a garage?
Not always. In Baden-Württemberg, demolishing many garages and carports needs no permit procedure. If no exception applies, a Kenntnisgabeverfahren runs through the Baurechtsbehörde. If in doubt, ask them.
Can I simply demolish an attached carport or extension?
That depends on the individual case. For attached buildings, the structural stability of the main building also matters. Clarify this before you start with the Baurechtsbehörde and your planner.
Can I dispose of the rubble myself afterwards?
For small quantities, often yes, via the collection points of the waste authority. On request, AS ABBRUCH takes care of disposal and collection.
Sources
- Landesbauordnung für Baden-Württemberg (LBO), Neufassung vom 16. März 2026 – Gesetzblatt für Baden-Württemberg 2026, No. 44
- LBO Baden-Württemberg, § 50 Verfahrensfreie Vorhaben (Lesefassung) – Abs. 3: demolition; Abs. 5: compliance with regulations
- LBO Baden-Württemberg, § 51 Kenntnisgabeverfahren (Lesefassung) – Abs. 3: demolition
- LBO Baden-Württemberg, Anhang zu § 50 Abs. 1 (Lesefassung) – Garages and covered parking spaces
This guide offers general orientation and does not replace legal advice. The decision of the local building authority (Baurechtsbehörde) in the individual case is authoritative.
Garage, carport or extension to go?
Briefly describe your property, ideally with photos. We will discuss how we would proceed and, if you like, arrange a free site visit.
Request a free site visit →