Am I allowed to build a garage without a permit in Denmark?
Yes — small secondary buildings often need no building permit. Under the Building Regulations (BR18) you can put up a garage, carport, shed, greenhouse or covered terrace without a permit when the combined area of all secondary buildings on the plot is at most 50 m² (20 m² for terraced houses). Above 50 m² a permit is always required — and it is the combined area that counts, so a new shed can trigger a permit simply because the carport is already there. You must keep 2.5 m to the boundary, though a small building may stand closer if it is under 2.5 m high towards the boundary and has no windows facing the neighbour. You must register the building in BBR yourself.
📋 The rules
- Secondary buildings up to 50 m² combined (20 m² terraced)
- Above 50 m² always needs a building permit
- Keep 2.5 m to the boundary under the building right
- Closer is possible with no windows and under 2.5 m height
- You must register the building in BBR yourself
🔓 Exceptions
- An integrated garage under the house roof always needs a building permit
- Summer-house areas are stricter, often 5 m to the boundary and 15% built area
- Buildings for habitation such as an annexe or conservatory always need a permit
⚠️ Penalties & fines
It is not the fine that hurts — it is the legalisation. The municipality can require an illegal building to be either legalised or demolished, and both happen at your own cost. If the building cannot be legalised, because it pushes the plot over its built-area ratio or stands too close to the boundary, demolition can become the only way out. A fine can come on top, and compulsory fines can run until the matter is resolved. The trap is BBR: even a permit-free building you must register yourself, and a missing entry is something the municipality can require you to put right.
📎 Official sources
- Building Regulations · Secondary buildings →
- Bolius · Rules for carports and garages →
- Building Act · Retsinformation →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I build a garage without a permit?
Yes, if all secondary buildings on the plot combined are at most 50 m². Above 50 m² a permit is always required, and it is the combined area that counts — not just the new building you are putting up.
How big can I build without a permit?
At most 50 m² of secondary buildings on a detached house, and 20 m² for terraced houses. Summer-house areas are stricter, often with 5 m to the boundary and a built area of 15% of the plot. Above 50 m² you must always apply.
How close to the boundary can I build?
2.5 m under the building right. A small building may stand closer if it is under 2.5 m high towards the boundary and has no windows facing the neighbour — both conditions must be met at once, or you must apply.
Must I register the building?
Yes. Even when you need no permit, you must register the new building in BBR yourself. It is a separate duty, and it does not fall away because the building itself was permit-free. The municipality can require it to be put right.
What happens if I build illegally?
The municipality can require legalisation or demolition at your own cost and impose a fine. Compulsory fines can run until the matter is resolved, and if the building cannot be legalised, it must come down.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I build a garage without permit denmark”
- “building permit 50 m2”
- “2.5 m to boundary”
- “register building bbr”
- “carport without permit”
- “built area ratio house”