Buildings and structures

Provincial Act amending the 2014 Lower Austrian Building Code (NÖ BO 2014) (Lower Austrian Renovation Simplification Act)

• Abolition of the previous notification requirement with the introduction of a simplified authorisation procedure, in some cases with changes to the content (e.g. instead of a notification requirement for photovoltaic systems with a bottleneck capacity of 50 kW or more, a simplified authorisation procedure from 100 kW with regard to compliance with the zoning plan)
• Freedom from authorisation and notification under building law for, among other things:
- enclosures that are not structural installations
- the installation of polytunnels for agricultural, forestry and horticultural purposes on grassland
- technical installations (pumps, filters, etc.) and shafts for swimming pools
- sun shading devices up to 50 m² built-up area
- single-storey installation of non-conditioned containers for storage purposes with a maximum volume of 260 m³ in total
in the operational or industrial area
- temporary change in the intended use of buildings in the event of a disaster
• Facilitation for guided tours of buildings approved by the building authorities before 1 February 2015, with a maximum increase of one additional storey, other modifications subject to authorisation and modification of the intended use by:
- deviations from the current safety-relevant requirements (e.g. mechanical strength, stability, fire protection, exhaust gases from fireplaces, protection against dangerous immissions, ventilation of garages, storage of dangerous substances,
safety of use) as in the existing building, if the change in the existing building situation does not or does not significantly worsen the original requirement level of the legal building stock
- deviations from the current quality-relevant requirements (e.g. sanitary facilities, collection and discharge of precipitation water, waste, protection against moisture, exposure and lighting, ventilation, room temperature, level and height of the rooms, accessibility and sound insulation) as in the inventory
- Further facilitation through:
- changed level in the assessment of sufficient exposure
- changes in the construction deviation (distance between the structure and the land boundary)
- possibility of exceeding the development height (building class) laid down in development plans up to 1.5 m in certain cases
- exceptions for the construction of car parking spaces
- elimination of the obligation to create non-public playgrounds
- cancellation of the provisions on the minimum room height, whereby a sufficient air volume must be guaranteed as before