A change ban in accordance with the German Building Code (BauGB) serves to secure binding urban land-use planning through development plans. A change ban is adopted by the municipality in connection with the preparation of a development plan.

The purpose of a change ban is to safeguard the objectives associated with the development plan. Once a change ban has been imposed, construction projects may not be carried out, buildings may not be removed and no significant or substantially value-enhancing changes may be made to land or buildings. The period of validity of a change ban is limited in time.

Exceptions to the change ban may be permitted if there are no overriding public interests to the contrary.