FAQ

The feasibility study provides information on the possibility of using renewable energy in a new building. A feasibility study is mandatory for all new buildings.

According to Article 3 of the Grand Ducal Regulation of 30 November 2007 on the energy performance of residential buildings, as amended, and Article 4 of the Grand Ducal Regulation of 31 August 2010 on the energy performance of non-residential buildings, as amended, a building permit can be issued only if the EPC is complete and the minimum and general energy efficiency requirements contained therein are met. This applies to residential and non-residential buildings alike.

The EPC is an integral part of the building permit and, as such, the municipality must check the document to verify that it is complete. Minimum and general building energy efficiency requirements must be met.

The possibility of developing integrated housing in single-family homes is dealt with in the Particular Development Plan (PAP). For PAGs that have been completely revised since 2011, the development of an integrated dwelling is permitted unless the municipality expressly rejects it in the PAP.

According to the Grand Ducal Regulation in force, an integrated dwelling is defined as additional accommodation forming part of a single-family house and belonging to the owner of the main dwelling. In theory, integrated dwellings allow for a soft densification of existing structures.

Within the framework of the building permit application procedure, it is not within the municipalities’ field of competence to monitor compliance with private property boundaries. The right of ownership is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution, therefore any encroachment of the façade insulation (considered as a fixed element of the building) on a neighbouring private property must be covered by the transfer of a real right over the plot of land in question, otherwise there is a risk of legal recourse within 30 years of the work being carried out (acquisitive prescription in real estate matters).

In the context of the building permit application procedure, it is necessary to respect the municipal planning regulations relating to setbacks from neighbouring private properties. The same provisions apply to constructions along the municipal public domain.

As is the case for buildings along the municipal public domain, buildings along the State road (national road and State-managed road) must, within the framework of the building permit application procedure, comply with the municipal urban planning regulations on setbacks.

For constructions located in the vicinity of the State public domain at a distance of 25 metres from a national road (N) or at a distance of 10 metres from a State-managed road (CR), established from the property line, a road permit is required from the Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure. As part of a road permit, provisions regarding the setbacks of buildings in relation to the road will be applied. These may differ from the setbacks set by the municipalities.

With regard to building permits, the municipalities systematically check that buildings are set back from the municipal public domain or plot boundaries.

As a rule, the planning regulations for setbacks are regulated by the municipalities in their General Development Plan (Plan d’Aménagement Général, PAG) or in the Special Development Plans (Plans d’Aménagement Particulier, PAP).

For municipalities whose PAG has not yet been adapted to include current legislation, the planning regulations relating to setbacks are still included in the written part of the PAG or in the building regulations. For these municipalities, the measurement of setbacks in the event of energy retrofitting is set out individually, by municipality, in those documents.

On the other hand, for those municipalities whose PAGs have been completely revised since 2011, the Grand Ducal Regulation that is the basis for the applicable definitions provides that the building setbacks are to be measured without the additional insulating layer in the case of an energy retrofit.

In both cases, the municipalities can include derogation mechanisms in their regulations in order to promote energy retrofitting, for example through a reduction in the minimum setback to be observed.