Applying for building encumbrance information (Baulastenauskunft) in Köln
Building encumbrance information (Baulastenauskunft) in Köln comes from the city's Amt für Liegenschaften, Vermessung und Kataster (cadastre office), Willy-Brandt-Platz 2. A no-encumbrance certificate (Negativattest) costs 15 euros online as an instant PDF, 30 euros in writing; a positive certificate (Positivattest) 50 to 150 euros. We apply with the owner's power of attorney: 42,90 euros.
Baulastenverzeichnis Köln at a glance
- Responsible office
- Stadt Köln, Amt für Liegenschaften, Vermessung und Kataster, Ortsbaurecht (Plankammer)As of: 22.10.2026 · Stadt Köln
- Address
- Stadthaus Deutz – west building, room 06.E05, Willy-Brandt-Platz 2, 50679 KölnAs of: 22.10.2026 · Stadt Köln
- Official fee
- no-encumbrance certificate €30 per property, online €15 · positive certificate €50, for extensive encumbrances up to €150 per property · inspection free of chargeAs of: 22.10.2026 · Stadt Köln
- Processing time
- online no-encumbrance certificate as a PDF right after payment · written: not publishedAs of: 22.10.2026 · Stadt Köln
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- How to apply
- online (no-encumbrance certificate only) · email · fax · letter · inspection on site with registration
- Requirement
- legitimate interest under § 85 (5) of the NRW Building Code (Bauordnung NRW)
- Contact
- Phone 0221 / 221-23021 · Fax 0221 / 221-22756 · Email 23-ortsbaurecht@stadt-koeln.de · Opening hours Tuesday and Thursday 8 to 12 and 14 to 16, by appointment
- Behördenfix fixed price
- 42,90 € including the fee
How we apply for the information
- 1Name the propertyAddress, or district (Gemarkung), Flur and parcel.
- 2Owner's power of attorneyThe owner authorises us; buyers tell us their interest.
- 3Application to the cityNo encumbrance: we get the no-encumbrance certificate; otherwise we apply in writing for the positive one.
- 4Information and follow-upYou get the information; we answer the city's questions with you.
Applying yourself for a register extract
The way without us, step by step
The city of Köln offers three ways to get register information.
- Online via «Baulasten Online»: select up to five parcels in one district and Flur, pay 15 euros per property and download the no-encumbrance certificate as a PDF.
- If there is an encumbrance, a notice appears; the specialist office prepares a positive certificate on request, for a fee.
- In writing: email to 23-ortsbaurecht@stadt-koeln.de, fax or letter to the Amt für Liegenschaften, Vermessung und Kataster.
- Free inspection in the Plankammer (plan room), with prior registration.
- With us you pay 42,90 euros including the fee, for finding the parcel, the application, the power of attorney and follow-up questions.
What you need for the information
- Details of the property: district (Gemarkung), Flur and parcel, or the address.
- Your legitimate interest, for example as owner or with the owner's power of attorney.
More documents (1)Show less
- With us also: the power of attorney for Behördenfix.
Köln: instant PDF online, positive certificate by hand
Instant PDF online, positive certificate by hand
According to the city, building encumbrances (Baulasten) are public-law obligations that neighbouring owners usually take on voluntarily for a building project, for example for distance areas, parking spaces or rights of way, access and utility lines.
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In Köln, «Baulasten Online» only generates no-encumbrance certificates. According to the city, the PDF is valid without a signature, like a signed certificate.
If an encumbrance is registered, the specialist office prepares the positive certificate by hand, with copies of the encumbrance texts and partial copies of the site plans: 50 euros, for encumbrances with several pages up to 150 euros per property.
The Plankammer is in the Stadthaus Deutz, west building: light rail 1, 3, 4 and 9, bus 150, 153 and 156 and S-Bahn to Deutz/Messe. A new encumbrance is applied for at the building authority; that is not information.
FAQ: building encumbrance information in Köln
Where do I get an extract from the register of building encumbrances in Köln?
From the city of Köln, Amt für Liegenschaften, Vermessung und Kataster in the Stadthaus Deutz, Willy-Brandt-Platz 2: online, by email, fax or letter, or inspection on site with registration. We apply for you with the owner's power of attorney.
What do no-encumbrance certificate and positive certificate mean?
A no-encumbrance certificate confirms that no building encumbrance is registered. If one exists, the city of Köln issues a positive certificate with copies of the encumbrance texts and partial site plans. Which one you receive depends on the register, not on the application.
How much does building encumbrance information cost in Köln?
According to the city of Köln, a no-encumbrance certificate costs 30 euros per property, 15 euros via «Baulasten Online». A positive certificate costs 50 euros, for extensive encumbrances up to 150 euros. Inspection on site is free. With us you pay 42,90 euros including the fee.
Who may inspect the register of building encumbrances?
Anyone with a legitimate interest, under § 85 (5) of the NRW Building Code, for inspection, copies and the city of Köln's online service alike. The city decides whether the interest is sufficient, so we only apply with the owner's power of attorney.
Can I view the register of building encumbrances in Köln online?
You cannot view it, but you can order the no-encumbrance certificate via «Baulasten Online»: up to five parcels in one district and Flur, paid electronically, PDF instantly. If there is an encumbrance, a notice appears and the specialist office prepares a positive certificate on request. We handle this for you.
How long does building encumbrance information take in Köln?
According to the city of Köln, the online no-encumbrance certificate comes immediately after payment. No processing time is published for written applications or the hand-made positive certificate. The Plankammer opens Tuesdays and Thursdays, by appointment only. We follow up if there are delays.
Official sources
- Stadt Köln – Baulastenverzeichnis, read on 22.10.2026
- Stadt Köln – Baulasten Online (Negativattest), read on 22.10.2026
- Stadt Köln – Baulasten (Eintragung und Löschung), read on 22.10.2026
Reviewed by M. Gabal on 28.10.2026
Provided by Behördenfix (M. Gabal). Behördenfix fills in, submits and tracks the application. We do not give legal advice and do not assess your individual case, nor the content of a building encumbrance.