Start DIY woodworking workshop in Germany.
- Thread starter Sergey.di
- Start date
MikeGE
Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2019
- Messages
- 669
Sergey.di said:
Your ability to create and operate a woodworking shop in your garage depends on the local laws and your neighbors. I live in a small town near Darmstadt and all of my neighbors work during the day. The Ruhezeit (rest or quiet time) in my area is from 2200 to 0700 on weekdays, 1200 to 1400 on weekdays, and all day on Sunday and federal holidays. I haven't pushed the limits, but my neighbors are not strict on the Ruhezeit. I mowed my lawn a few times at 1300 to beat the oncoming rain and didn't receive a visit by the Ordungsamt (local code enforcement).
As my retirement hobby, I built a small hobbyist woodworking shop in one half of my two-car garage. The larger machines were on wheels so I could push them against the walls when not being used and make room for the cars. Most of the time, I left the main garage door closed except for about 20cm or so at the bottom for some airflow to the back door. I've never measured the sound levels, but no one ever complained after several months of using the machines.
When I realized I needed more space, and working in unheated garage during the winter would be uncomfortable, I moved my shop to a 5x5 meter area in the basement. This move also allowed me to work any time day or night since none of the machines can be heard from outside my house. However, since the basement is fully enclosed with no exterior access, dust extraction was important. My shop is designed around the dust extraction system and I have since expanded into another 5x5 meter area for the Festool, hand tool, and assembly work space. The heavy machines are still in the original space with the 3HP dust extraction system.
mino
Member
- Joined
- May 5, 2016
- Messages
- 1,984
I would add that a one can work *inside* a garage and not make much noise to bother neighbours.
Some (sound) insulation on the door would be a must though.
Generally, I would not bother the authorities with asking for any permits or if any are "needed". The local clers would likey not even have a legally biding answer anyway.
As a private person one (generally) does not need any permits and asking may only bring focus on you with the local authorities start to invent "you are not a business" type halucinations out of nothing. Those can cause unneccessary pain for no purpose.
As long as this is to be *your* shop, and not a some shared community shop or a place you make stuff for selling, the only thing I would figure is the "quiet time" regulations as mentioned above.
Some (sound) insulation on the door would be a must though.
Generally, I would not bother the authorities with asking for any permits or if any are "needed". The local clers would likey not even have a legally biding answer anyway.
As a private person one (generally) does not need any permits and asking may only bring focus on you with the local authorities start to invent "you are not a business" type halucinations out of nothing. Those can cause unneccessary pain for no purpose.
As long as this is to be *your* shop, and not a some shared community shop or a place you make stuff for selling, the only thing I would figure is the "quiet time" regulations as mentioned above.
Crazyraceguy
Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2015
- Messages
- 4,887
MikeGE said:
The 2200-0700 on weekdays, I understand, but 1200-1400? I'm aware of the concept of "siesta" in Spain. Does the same thing exist in Germany?
mino
Member
- Joined
- May 5, 2016
- Messages
- 1,984
Ruhezeit (over here "Noční Klid" as in "Night Calm") is a residential area concept where people are expected to allow others having a (proper) lunch .. in the case of this one. Siesta is more about workplace/works scheduling where people do not work during the hottest part of the day ... which is not really applicable for air-conditioned offices.Crazyraceguy said:
In Germay (Europe in general) there are little to no conditions applied to private citizens while for commercial activities the regulations get crazy fast. The Ruhezeit thing would apply to everyone in a certain area - including and especially - private citizens.
Though it does not apply to businesses, in general. These have MUCH stricter emission (sound, dust, chemicals, etc.) restrictions applied. E.g. one would not be able to legally run a commercial wokshop in a residential garage in the first place .. while as a private citize one just needs not bother the neighbour (too) much.
MikeGE
Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2019
- Messages
- 669
Crazyraceguy said:
Yes, it is a time when toddlers are supposed to take their mid-day naps, and I suppose old people do as well. All construction and similar activities in residential areas stop. However, the mid-day rules do not apply in commercial or industrial zones, even if there are apartments or houses nearby. There are a few exceptions to the noise rules during the day, and these include playing musical instruments, but exclude loud audio systems.
In my immediate neighborhood of about 30 houses, the only children are school aged and are in school at this time. I doubt anyone at home would complain, or even notice, if I mowed my lawn or did some outside work with power tools.
