The construction, alteration, change of use, and demolition of structures (e.g., buildings) require a building permit. However, this applies only unless otherwise specified in the Rhineland-Palatinate State Building Code, such as in the list of projects exempt from building permits, in the exemption procedure, or for projects not subject to building supervision.

In the exemption procedure, the municipality decides whether a construction project that would normally require a building permit can be carried out without one due to its location within a zoning plan, or whether a building permit procedure should be conducted.

The exemption procedure applies to the following projects:

1. Projects pursuant to § 66(1), first sentence, nos. 1 and 10 of the LBauO, i.e.,
   -  residential buildings in building classes 1 through 3, other buildings in building classes 1 and 2, excluding buildings as defined in § 50 (special structures), in each case including their outbuildings and ancillary facilities, and
   -  building-independent systems for the use of solar radiation energy,
2. provided they comply with the provisions of the zoning plan,
3. provided that access is ensured,
4. if the municipality does not declare that a permitting procedure is to be conducted,
5. if there is no obligation to conduct an environmental impact assessment or a preliminary assessment for the project under the law governing environmental impact assessments, and
6. the project does not, by virtue of its nature, size, and location near or within a so-called major-accident establishment, fall within the scope of the so-called Seveso III Directive.

The exemption procedure also applies, subject to Nos. 3 through 6,

• in unplanned inner areas pursuant to § 34 of the German Building Code (BauGB) for the alteration and change of use of attic spaces for residential purposes, including the construction of dormers on buildings, as well as
• in unplanned rural areas for projects under Section 35(1)(8)(b) of the BauGB for the construction and modification of facilities for the use of solar radiation energy.

For projects under § 66(2), sentences 1 and 3, of the State Building Code (LBauO), i.e., for

1. residential buildings in building classes 4 and 5, with the exception of high-rise buildings,
2. buildings in building classes 3 through 5 that are used exclusively or, in addition to residential use, predominantly for freelance professional activities within the meaning of § 13 of the Land Use Ordinance (BauNVO) in the version published on November 21, 2017 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 3786), as amended, with the exception of high-rise buildings,
3. buildings in building classes 3 through 5 that are used for office or administrative purposes, including apartments pursuant to § 8(3)(1) BauNVO, with the exception of high-rise buildings,
4. buildings used exclusively as garages with a usable floor area of more than 100 m² up to 1,000 m² (medium-sized garages),
5. single-story workshop and storage buildings with no more than 5,000 m² of usable floor area, including necessary office and staff facilities, as well as residential units pursuant to § 8(3)(1) of the BauNVO, and
6. for antenna systems, including masts with a height of up to 50 m and necessary utility facilities, 

the exemption procedure is carried out only at the request of the building owner. The requirements 2 through 6 listed above also apply.

The application and construction documents for the project must be submitted to the relevant municipality.

The municipality’s statement does not constitute an administrative act. In the event of disputes regarding building inspection orders, the remedies provided for in the Administrative Court Rules (VwGO)—namely, an appeal and a lawsuit—are available.

Work on the project may begin one month after the municipal administration receives the required construction documents; if the municipality notifies the builder in writing before the expiration of this period that no approval procedure will be conducted, the builder may begin the project even before the one-month period expires (Section 67(2) LBauO).

Work on the project, including excavation of the foundation pit, may not commence until the builder has notified the building supervisory authority in writing of the start of construction work at least one week in advance (Section 77(1) LBauO).

The right to carry out the project expires if the project has not been commenced within four years of the requirements under § 67(2), sentence 1, LBauO being met, or if the execution has been interrupted for four years; § 74(1), sentence 2, LBauO applies accordingly.

Once the complete building documents have been submitted, the municipality has one month to either declare that a building permit procedure will be conducted or to waive such a procedure. After the one-month period has expired, the municipality may no longer issue such a declaration (Section 67(2) of the Building Code).

The municipal administration responsible for the building lot; in the case of municipalities belonging to an association, the association’s municipal administration.

The specific construction documents that must be submitted are set forth in the State Ordinance on Construction Documents and Structural Engineering Reviews. The application and the construction documents must be certified by a design engineer who is authorized to submit building applications for buildings.

Depending on the specific construction project, additional documents—such as a declaration regarding structural engineering certifications, including the structural stability certificate—must be submitted to the lower building authority prior to the start of construction.

The amount of the fee is determined by the State Ordinance on Fees and Remuneration for Official Acts and Services under Building Regulations (Special Schedule of Fees) or by the State Ordinance on Fees for Official Acts of a General Nature (General Schedule of Fees).