Parking Space Regulations
The Aachen Parking Space Ordinance governs parking spaces on private property. It sets forth requirements regarding the number and dimensions of required parking spaces and bicycle parking spaces, as well as quality standards and options for reducing the number of spaces.
Proof of parking space availability is a required component of every building permit application. Consequently, the Parking Space Ordinance applies to anyone who wishes to construct, repurpose, or expand a facility within the city limits. In general, regulations governing stationary traffic on private property are also enshrined in the state’s Parking Space Ordinance. The advantage of a municipal parking ordinance lies in the ability to tailor the requirements and options to local needs. In particular, the ordinance also supports the creation of additional mobility options for residents.
You can find the current bylaws, as of June 23, 2025, here or in the download section below.
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Key Provisions of the Parking Space Ordinance
Calculation of the Number of Parking Spaces
The number of required parking spaces and bicycle parking spaces depends on the building’s use and can be calculated in accordance with Appendix 1 of the Parking Space Ordinance. A parking space calculation tool is available that can be used to calculate the number of parking spaces and to prepare the parking space verification for the building permit application. The tool will be available online shortly; in the meantime, it can be requested from the Mobility and Transportation Department.
Regional Zoning
The city of Aachen is divided into three zones in its parking regulations. The criterion for assigning a property to a zone is its so-called “public transit accessibility,” that is, how well a project is served by public transit. Accordingly, if a project has very good public transit access, it is assumed that more people will use public transit, resulting in lower car density. Very good public transit access (Zone I, 50% reduction) is found within the Allenring; good public transit access (Zone II, 25% reduction) is defined as being within walking distance (400 m walk) of a public transit stop with a service frequency of at least 4 buses per direction per hour on weekdays outside of school breaks.
Suspension of the Parking Space Requirement
Under certain conditions, the requirement to provide parking spaces and bicycle parking may be waived by offering alternative mobility options. These must be maintained for at least ten years. You can draw on the catalog of measures in Appendix 4, or have a qualified planning or engineering firm develop a mobility concept for your specific project that includes analyses and measures tailored to the location and the project.
Parking Space Transfer
If it is not possible to provide the required parking spaces, the requirement to provide them may be waived upon payment of a compensation fee. The amount of the compensation fee depends on the type of use and the zoning district in which the construction project is located. The compensation amounts for passenger car parking spaces vary depending on the zoning district and type of use. Different compensation amounts also apply to bicycle parking spaces, depending on the zoning district.
Possible Mobility Management Measures in Construction Projects
The interactive graphic below visually illustrates predefined mobility management measures in accordance with Appendix 4 using a fictional future neighborhood as an example, and includes explanatory notes.
Change of Use and Expansion of Facilities
In certain cases, the requirement to provide parking spaces and parking areas resulting from changes to existing facilities may be waived. The purpose of such de minimis thresholds is to facilitate redensification or changes in land use. If the additional requirement for necessary parking spaces is fewer than four, no additional parking spaces need to be provided to meet this requirement. Other entertainment venues are exempt from this rule (Appendix 1, Section 6.5 of the Parking Space Ordinance). The de minimis threshold does not apply to bicycle parking spaces.
Evaluation and Update
The City of Aachen’s Parking Regulations are continuously evaluated and revised as needed to keep pace with changes in the mobility patterns of Aachen’s residents. The basis for this evaluation is regular monitoring, which is mandatory under the new ordinance in accordance with Annexes 4 and 5 of the ordinance (for Annex 4, after 1 and 5 years; for Annex 5, annually).
Consulting
The parking space calculation tool can be used to help determine the number of parking spaces and bicycle parking spaces to be provided, as well as the compensation amount, if applicable. Furthermore, the guide for building owners contains detailed explanations of the text of the ordinance and the steps involved in planning and implementing mobility measures. Anyone looking for ideas for possible measures will also find what they’re looking for here.
If you have any questions regarding the parking space ordinance and its application, our colleagues in the various departments will be happy to assist you. In addition, we offer to assist building owners and their contracted service providers in developing a mobility plan until it is ready for submission.
For questions regarding transfer
agreements: FB 60, Ms
. Birgit Stollwerk,
Deputy Division Director,
Department Head, Tel: 0241/432-60100
For questions regarding mobility measures or
mobility concepts: FB 68, Ms
. Sarah Prinz, Administrative Assistant
, Mobility Concepts in Construction
Projects, Tel: 0241/432-68329
Construction Services Office Hours: Mon/Wed 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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