German Federal Court rules on hedge height at property boundaries

A ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has clarified legal standards regarding the height of hedges located on property boundaries. The decision emphasizes that there is no inherent, universal maximum height for a hedge.

Instead, legal compliance is determined by the relationship between the hedge's height and the mandatory distance from the property line, as outlined in regional laws such as the Hessian Neighbor Law. The court noted that the specific configuration of planting and boundary distances must be used to balance the interests of both neighbors, considering factors like privacy, light, and greenery.