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. You must keep 2.5 m to the boundary under the building right, but a small building may stand closer if it is no more than 2.5 m high towards the boundary and has no windows facing the neighbour. Even a small building can need a permit if it pushes the plot over its built-area ratio. 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
If you 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.
📎 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.
How big can I build without a permit?
At most 50 m² for secondary buildings on a detached house, and 20 m² for terraced houses.
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.
Must I register the building?
Yes. Even when you do not need a permit, you must register the new building in BBR yourself.
What happens if I build illegally?
The municipality can require legalisation or demolition at your own cost and impose a fine, and compulsory fines can run.
🔎 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”