A construction project often requires both private law and administrative law steps. These include drawing up contracts with contractors, applying for environmental permits or changing a zoning plan, and recording agreements with the local authority. A sound legal framework helps to prevent conflicts and delays during implementation.

A zoning plan amendment or environmental permit is required when a construction or development plan deviates from the applicable zoning plan or other spatial regulations, for example in terms of function, building height or building area. Without these permits, the project may generally not be carried out.

If a project is delayed due to slow decision-making by the government, for example due to a rejected permit or objection from third parties, compensation for delay damage may be paid under certain circumstances. In such cases, an assessment is made as to whether exceeding the decision-making deadlines was acceptable in the given situation. If this is not the case, the government may be liable on the grounds of unlawful acts.