nichtwohnliche

Nichtwohnliche is a German term used in real estate, urban planning and building regulation to describe spaces or uses that are not intended for permanent human habitation. In everyday language the adjective is usually written as nicht wohnlich, but in official contexts the concept appears in phrases such as nichtwohnliche Nutzungen or nicht wohnliche Räume. The term serves to distinguish non-residential functions from living spaces, particularly in mixed-use buildings, zoning plans and property classifications.

Typical examples of nichtwohnliche Räume include storage halls, workshops, machinery rooms, technical installations, garages, parking areas, and other functions that are not designed for continuous occupation as living quarters. Such spaces may be located within residential buildings or in standalone non-residential structures, and they are often subject to different design standards and safety requirements than living areas.

Regulatory aspects relevant to nichtwohnliche Nutzung involve building codes, fire safety and accessibility requirements, ventilation, and noise control, all of which can differ from those applying to dwellings. The classification also influences energy performance criteria, taxation, licensing, tenancy arrangements and insurance considerations, as well as potential implications for rental pricing and maintenance responsibilities.

Etymology and usage: the term literally means “not suitable for living.” Although the noun form Nichtwohnliche is uncommon in general prose, it appears in legal, zoning and planning documents to denote the category of non-residential spaces or uses.