Consultation and dispute adjustment system for construction of middle and high-rise buildings

Last update date April 1, 2021

To prevent construction disputes

There are various regulations when building buildings, but public law regulations such as the Building Standards Law, mainly set the minimum standards from the viewpoint of safety, hygiene, and fire prevention. It is not intended to adjust the problem.
For this reason, Yokohama City has established the Ordinance for the purpose of promoting the conservation and Formation of a safe and comfortable living environment. Is required to be installed and explained to residents.
When there is a plan such as middle- and high-rise buildings around you and signs are set up and received explanations, we will make it a livable Yokohama (PDF: 1,225KB) Please refer to it as a reference.

Contents

Achieving architectural disputes

Explanation and discussion

The Mid- and High-Rise Building Ordinance requires building owners to explain the outline of the building and demolition work plans to the local residents. Explanatory materials will be distributed in advance, so it will be smooth if you read them in advance and receive explanations.
In addition, we confirm unclear point and, if there is request, arrange contents and tell to builder (or agent).

Construction Agreement

If the impact of noise and vibration is considered to be large depending on the scale of the construction and surrounding conditions, a construction agreement will be concluded, and the work method, work time, traffic time of construction vehicles, damage to houses etc. due to enforcement It is common to negotiate damages in the event of this.
Please note that conclusion is not a legal obligation, so if the request is too high, it may not be concluded if the request is too high.
Reference: Construction Agreement (Example) (PDF: 425KB)

Expert Advisory System

In order to promote mutual understanding between residents and building owners, this system allows them to receive advice from experts on how to view drawings and legal thinking.
Lawyers and architects dispatched from expert groups (Kanagawa Bar Association (outside site) / Yokohama City Architects' Association (outside site)) provide advice to residents. The cost will be borne by Yokohama City.
For details, please refer to the guide 9 expert advice system for procedures for the middle and high-rise building regulations (PDF: 348KB).
Flyer on the expert advice system (PDF: 437KB)
System Outline (PDF: 136KB)
System Guidelines (PDF: 163KB)

When a voluntary solution is not achieved

If the solution becomes difficult even though we had discussions with the builder, we can submit a dispute adjustment (mediation / mediation) to the mayor.
Conflict adjustment system

FAQs

I'm not satisfied with the architectural plan. I want the city to give guidance to change the plan.

In the middle- and high-rise building ordinance, the building owner will be given consideration to the impact on the surrounding area, but there is no enforcement. We tell building owner about request from inhabitants from city and demand discussion and result report.

Is it possible to build without the consent of the neighborhood?

The middle- and high-rise building ordinance requires the builder to explain the architectural plan to the local residents, and does not require consent. In addition, there is no building standard law or building-related laws and regulations that require the consent of the neighborhood to build, and construction is possible.

In order to open PDF files, you may need a separate PDF reader.
If you do not have it, you can download it free of charge from Adobe.
To download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC