In City of Brussels, as everywhere in the Brussels Region, a garden shed is exempt from planning permission if it meets every condition of the Order of 13 November 2008, including a maximum floor area of 9 m² and a maximum height of 3 m. Above that, you apply for a permit at the City of Brussels planning department. The full conditions are set out in our guide to garden sheds in Brussels. This page covers what happens locally: where to submit your application in City of Brussels, who to contact and what the municipality can require on top.
The exemption conditions at a glance
Your garden shed in City of Brussels is exempt from planning permission if all of these conditions are met:
- 9 m² maximum floor area (footprint, roof overhangs included);
- a height of 3 m maximum;
- located in the courtyard and garden area, respecting the 45° plane from the party walls (1.5 m at the boundary line);
- detached from the main building and its annexes, and not used as living space;
- 50% permeable surface kept in the courtyard and garden area (RRU, Title I, art. 13).
The exemption no longer applies if the property is less than 20 m from a protected heritage site, or if the shed departs from the RRU, a municipal urban planning regulation or a PPAS. The details and special cases are in the guide to the Brussels rules. If in doubt, a call to the City of Brussels planning department avoids unpleasant surprises.
If a permit is required in City of Brussels
- Check the planning status of your plot (zoning, PPAS, local requirements) with the municipality.
- Prepare the application: application form, dimensioned site plan, elevations and photos. A shed with no structural issue does not require an architect.
- Submit the application to the City of Brussels planning department, in person or by registered post.
- The municipality decides within 75 days of acknowledging that the application is complete (160 days with a derogation). See the timeframes in detail.
The City of Brussels planning department
Contact details
Address:
Boulevard Anspach 6, 1000 Bruxelles
Phone: 02 279 29 40
Email: urbanisme@brucity.be
Before you go
Contact the department by phone or email to confirm opening hours and how to submit (some municipalities only see people by appointment). Applications are handled in French or Dutch.
Every planning step in City of Brussels is on the City of Brussels municipality page.
Frequently asked questions: garden sheds in City of Brussels
- Do you need a planning permit for a garden shed in City of Brussels?
- No, as long as every regional exemption condition is met: no more than 9 m² (footprint, roof overhang included), no more than 3 m high, placed in the courtyard and garden area while respecting the 45° plane from the party walls, detached from the main building and not used as living space. If a single condition is not met, a planning permit is required in City of Brussels.
- How long does a garden shed permit take in City of Brussels?
- As everywhere in the Brussels Region, the municipality has 75 days from the acknowledgement that the application is complete, or 160 days if the project needs a derogation or special investigation measures.
- Where do I submit my permit application in City of Brussels?
- To the City of Brussels planning department (Boulevard Anspach 6, 1000 Bruxelles), in person, by registered post or through the regional online portal. If you are unsure about your situation, contact the department on 02 279 29 40 or by email (urbanisme@brucity.be).
- Can a municipal regulation be stricter in City of Brussels?
- Yes: a municipal urban planning regulation (RCU) or a special land-use plan (PPAS) can impose additional rules. The regional exemption does not apply if the shed departs from them. A call to the City of Brussels planning department will tell you before you buy.
Garden sheds in neighbouring municipalities
The regional rules are the same, but the planning department and municipal regulations differ: Anderlecht, Auderghem, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Etterbeek, Evere, Forest.