Even though the building permit process can vary greatly from case to case, its length and complexity is often perceived by companies as a burden and an obstacle to investment. In addition to the legal basis, the approach of municipal building authorities and the quality of the applicants' participation prove to be important influencing factors. SMEs are particularly affected by the complexity and length of the process. Extensive simplification and stabilisation of the legal provisions could provide relief. At the municipal level, the establishment of an ‘enabling culture’, efficient process management and the complete digitalisation of processes should be striven for.
IfM-Materialien | 2025 Policy approaches to speed up and simplify commercial building permit procedures
Holz, M.; Butkowski, O.K.; Schneck, S.; Wolter, H.-J. (2025): Politikansätze zur Beschleunigung und Vereinfachung von gewerblichen Baugenehmigungsverfahren, IfM Bonn: IfM-Materialien Nr. 310, Bonn