Faster and more digital: service offensive of the building inspectorate shows effect
With the digital building application via the Hesse Building Portal, a reorganized service center and optimized internal processes, the Wiesbaden Building Inspectorate has noticeably accelerated its processes. The result: more consultations and faster approvals. Andreas Kowol, Head of the Building Department, and the Building Inspectorate can therefore draw a positive balance for 2025.
In 2025, the Building Authority provided pre-application advice to developers and architects on 1,460 occasions, a good 20 percent more than in the previous year (2024: 1,199). “Those who seek advice early on are better able to submit applications and thus obtain building permits more quickly. The Building Authority has specifically expanded its advisory services based on this principle,” says Kowol.
The approval rate was high in 2025, and processing times were short: A total of 781 building applications and preliminary inquiries were received, an 11 percent increase over 2024. Ninety-four percent of the submitted building applications were approved. The building authority had to reject six percent of the applications because the requirements were not met.
The processing times are particularly encouraging: In the simplified procedure, it took an average of 45 days—only half as long as the three months permitted by law. Even special structures requiring significantly more review were completed in an average of 75 days. “It was our stated goal to optimize internal processes and improve service for our customers,” says Sandra Matzenauer, head of the building authority. “These figures show that we are on the right track with our internal measures. We were able to noticeably speed up the building permit process, to the benefit of everyone who wants to build in Wiesbaden.”
The Lower Monument Protection Authority, which is based within the Building Inspection Department in Wiesbaden, also reports positive figures: Of the 348 applications received in 2025, 314 were approved—a rate of over 90 percent. On average, it took only about 30 days to reach a decision.
The digitization of information request procedures is practically complete. Of 1,704 file reviews in 2025, only 40 took place as in-person appointments; all others were handled entirely digitally. The same applies to the nearly 2,000 inquiries regarding building encumbrances. In most cases, this saves citizens a trip to the agency and allows them to receive this information even faster.
In 2026 as well, the Building Authority will actively support planners and prospective builders in realizing their projects within the framework of legal possibilities and will actively monitor construction activity in the city.
This press release is issued by the Press Office of the State Capital of Wiesbaden, Schlossplatz 6, 65183 Wiesbaden, pressereferatwiesbadende Citizens with questions can contact the responsible department or office.