Can I put in a window, or build a balcony or terrace, that overlooks my neighbour's garden?
In short
It depends. A window with clear glass, a balcony or a terrace must be at least 1,90 m from the neighbour's boundary. You can never put a window in a shared wall.
Video transcript
You want a window in your side wall, looking straight onto your neighbour's garden. It depends: Clear-glass windows, balconies and terraces must be at least 1.90 m from the boundary. No windows at all in a shared wall. The right way: Measure the distance; if it's too close, consider frosted glass or another solution. Talk to your neighbour first. If you break the rule: Fine: None; Neighbour: Can demand removal; Costs: Yours to pay.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- A window with clear glass, an opening in a wall, a balcony or a terrace must be at least 1,90 m (19 decimetres) from the plot boundary. This rule is in Book 3 of the Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek / Code civil, art. 3.132).
- The distance is measured from the nearest point on the outside of the window or balcony, in a straight line at a right angle to the boundary.
- You may not put a window, opening, balcony or terrace in or on top of a wall you share with your neighbour (gemene muur / mur mitoyen).
- Your neighbour can ask for structures that break the distance rule to be removed. Exceptions: if you have an agreement with your neighbour, if privacy is not affected, or if the structure has been that way for at least 30 years.
- This is a rule of neighbour law. A new window or balcony in a façade may also need planning permission; the rules vary by region. In Flanders, since 1 March 2026, façade works that do not change the building's volume have often been exempt from planning permission. Ask your municipality.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- No fine; this is a civil law rule. Your neighbour can ask the court to have the structure removed.
Legal basis:BW Boek 3, art. 3.132 §2
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- You may have to pay to close the window or remove the balcony
Legal basis:BW Boek 3, art. 3.132 §2
- A court case with your neighbour (usually before the justice of the peace / vrederechter / juge de paix)
Legal basis:Ger.W. art. 591, 3°
- When you sell the house, the buyer or the notary may raise objections
What do these terms mean?
- Justice of the peace
- The local court in every canton for everyday disputes such as neighbour conflicts, rent and small debts. It first tries to reconcile the parties.
Why does this rule exist?
The rule stops people from looking straight into the neighbour's house and garden. It protects everyone's privacy in their own garden.
Where can you go?
- Municipal planning departmentAsk before you start the works (dienst omgeving / service urbanisme)
- Tax office – land register (cadastre)Report renovation works through MyMinfin
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 12 / 12 statements in an official source
- Checked: 23.10.2026
- Last checked
- 23.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 12 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Şeffaf camlı pencere, muuropening, balkon ve teras sınırdan en az 19 dm (1,90 m)
Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 3, art. 3.132 §1 - Found in an official source
Madde numarası 3.132
Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 3, art. 3.132 (Lichten en zichten) - Found in an official source
Mesafe en yakın dış noktadan dik çizgiyle ölçülür
BW art. 3.132 §1 - Found in an official source
Ortak duvarda/üstünde pencere, boşluk, balkon yapılamaz
BW art. 3.132 §1, tweede zin - Found in an official source
Komşu kaldırılmasını isteyebilir; istisnalar anlaşma, mahremiyet riski yok, 30 yıl
BW art. 3.132 §2 - Found in an official source
Eski 0,60 m çapraz görüş kuralı yeni metinde yok (karta yazılmadı)
BW art. 3.132 - Corrected according to the source
Yeni pencere/balkon için çoğu zaman imar izni gerekir
Vrijstellingenbesluit (BVR 16 juli 2010), art. 2.1, 2° – geldende versie sinds 1.3.2026 (gewijzigd bij BVR 6 februari 2026, BS 26.02.2026, numac 2026001335); codex.vlaanderen.be - Found in an official source
Medeni hukuk kuralı; komşu yapının kaldırılmasını isteyebilir
BW Boek 3, art. 3.132 §2 - Found in an official source
Ceza yok; komşuluk yükümlülüklerinde sulh hâkimi yetkili
Ger.W. art. 591, 3° - Found in an official source
Kurala aykırı pencere/balkonun kaldırılması istenebilir
BW Boek 3, art. 3.132 §2 - Found in an official source
Komşuyla dava genelde sulh hâkiminde
Ger.W. art. 591, 3° - Corrected according to the source
Kaldırma talebinin istisnaları (anlaşma, mahremiyet riski yok, 30 yıl) mesafe kuralı için; ortak duvar yasağında istisna yazılı değil
BW Boek 3, art. 3.132 §1-2
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?