Antwerp resident does not have to comply with building code, city allows 4 out of 5 violations

In Antwerp, 80% of building permits deviate from the city's own building code, raising concerns about compliance and enforcement. Groen party member Ilse van Dienderen highlights that most deviations involve facade colors, bike parking, and open space preservation. The city issued 2,723 permits out of 3,494 that did not adhere to regulations since the new code's implementation in 2024. Groen calls for an audit of these deviations to ensure better adherence and simplification of the code, emphasizing the need for a focus on larger climate goals rather than minor details. The city is considering whether adjustments to the building code are necessary.