Lena Hackauf

April 30, 2026, 4:09 am | Read time: 4 minutes

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A Permit Is Essential

“As soon as scaffolding extends into public traffic areas, a government permit is generally required,” explains the German Construction Industry Trade Association (BG BAU) upon request from myHOMEBOOK.

Typically, a special use permit and a traffic regulation order are necessary. The local municipality is responsible for this. The application must include a site plan and a traffic sign plan, among other things. One thing is especially important: “Without a permit, construction cannot begin.”

Additional requirements apply for work in street areas. A qualified person with the appropriate additional qualifications must be involved. “People working in public traffic areas must wear orange-red or yellow-green warning clothing of protection class 3 according to DIN EN ISO 20471,” says BG BAU.

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Safety Requirements for Scaffolding

Scaffolding is not a makeshift structure but a safety-relevant construction.
“Scaffolds must be stable, load-bearing, and safely accessible,” emphasizes BG BAU. Assembly and disassembly must follow the manufacturer’s instructions. According to BG BAU, key protective measures include complete side protection, secure access, and suitable anchoring. “After the completion of the assembly or modification of a scaffold, it must be inspected and marked by a person qualified to conduct inspections.” Only after this approval can the scaffold be used.

Even after approval, regular inspections are crucial, as various requirements must be met. “During use, it is important to ensure that coverings are undamaged, fully laid, and secured against lifting, the wall distance is maintained, and sufficient anchoring is present.” Additional rules apply in public spaces, such as pedestrian walkways of at least one meter wide and a clear height of at least 2.20 meters.

There are also clear rules for the use of lookouts in public traffic areas: They may only warn of dangers or restrictions but are not authorized to regulate traffic. This task is exclusively reserved for the police.

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Who Is Liable for Damages?

As a homeowner, one might quickly assume that hiring a professional scaffolding company means you are not liable for damages. But it’s not that simple. “The responsibility for securing work sites in public traffic areas lies with the company or person performing or commissioning the work,” clarifies BG BAU. While traffic safety tasks can be delegated organizationally, overall responsibility always remains with the contracted company or contractor. This means the executing company must not only set up the safety measures but also regularly check and maintain them.

If accidents occur, such as due to inadequate safety measures or falling parts, corresponding liability claims may arise.

Common Mistakes When Scaffolding a House

BG BAU reports that they repeatedly observe similar issues in practice that can significantly jeopardize safety. It is particularly critical when components are altered independently. This includes, for example, the removal of railings or anchors. Additionally, retrofitted tarps are risky. They increase wind load and can destabilize the scaffold if no additional safety measures are implemented.

Another issue is weather influences. Heavy rain can erode the ground and thus impair stability. It is also problematic when components from different manufacturers are combined, even though they are not designed for this.

For safe handling, a fundamental principle according to BG BAU is crucial: All relevant regulations and manufacturer instructions must be consistently followed.