Veranda in Belgium: do I need planning permission?

Antoine HORENBEEK

Contents

Marc was thinking of extending his living room with a 30 m² veranda. Three months later, he was fined €3,200 for unauthorized work. In Belgium, building a veranda is rarely a simple formality. And the rules change depending on the region, the commune... and even the facade where you're installing it.

Do you want to avoid administrative headaches, fines or, worse still, having to demolish everything? This guide explains what the law says, region by region.

When do I need a permit?

In Belgium, any major change to the appearance or footprint of a building may require planning permission. This often applies to the construction of a veranda.

Here are the 3 key criteria:

Veranda surface area
Height and structure (open/closed)
Location: front, rear, protected area?

A veranda that is too large, visible from the street or on a property line will almost always require a permit.

Rules by region

Here's a clear overview of the main rules for your region:

Region	Max. surface area without permit	Max. height	Main conditions
Wallonia	40 m²	3.5 m under cornice / 6 m at ridge	To rear, ≥2 m from boundaries, harmonized materials
Brussels-Capital	20 m²	3 m	Set back, not visible, 3 m from adjoining buildings
Flanders	40 m²	4 m	To the rear, ≥2 m from boundaries, total surface area of annexes ≤ 40 m².

These thresholds only apply if you meet all the cumulative conditions. If in doubt, always consult your local planning department.

Permit or simple declaration?

Déclaration urbanistique : une procédure allégée, possible pour les petites vérandas (souvent < 20 ou 40 m²). Elle vous permet de notifier la commune sans attendre un accord formel.
Planning permission: required if the structure exceeds certain thresholds, is visible from the public space, or is located in a sensitive area.

Good to know: if your home is listed, close to a monument or in a protected area, a permit is always required, whatever the size of the veranda.

Antoine HORENBEEK

What do you risk without authorization?

Building a veranda without a permit can have far more serious consequences than you might think. In the event of an inspection, you risk administrative fines ranging from a few hundred to several thousand euros, depending on the seriousness of the offence and the policy of your local authority.

But that's not all: the municipality can also require you to regularize the situation within a given timeframe, or even demand the outright demolition of the structure if it doesn't comply with the rules.

What's more, a non-conforming veranda can block the sale of your property: a notary can refuse to sign the deed until it has been regularized.

Finally, your neighbors have the right to lodge a complaint if the construction interferes with their comfort or infringes legal distances; they can even claim compensation or demand modifications. So it's better to be safe than sorry.

FAQ

Do I need a permit for a 20 m² veranda?

It depends on your region. In Flanders or Wallonia, a simple declaration may suffice. In Brussels, a permit is more likely.

Do the materials used influence the permit requirement?

Yes, a lightweight aluminum veranda with a transparent roof will sometimes be accepted without a permit, unlike a masonry extension.

Can I install a veranda without an architect?

Yes, in some cases. If the veranda is small and does not modify the main building, an architect is not always required. But his presence is strongly recommended to ensure technical and administrative compliance.

Author : CORNIL Olivier

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