What can you build in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean?
What you can build in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (Sint-Jans-Molenbeek) depends on the area of the Regional Land Use Plan (PRAS) in which your plot lies, on a special land use plan (PPAS) if one applies, on the Regional Urban Planning Regulation (RRU) and on the municipality’s regulations. In Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, 12 PPAS apply, and there are 31 protected properties.
At a glance
| Region | Brussels-Capital Region |
|---|---|
| Postcodes | 1080 |
| PPAS | 12 in force, 1 in preparation, 9 repealed |
| Municipal regulations | none in the urban.brussels register |
| Pre-emption perimeters | Koekelberg - Molenbeek-Saint-Jean - Simonis (until 29 July 2029); Anderlecht - Molenbeek-Saint-Jean - Parc de la Sennette (until 13 August 2030) |
| Protected properties | 31 |
| Legal inventory | 877 properties |
| Number of m² that may be built | not yet calculated in Brussels |
Find out for free what you can build on your plot in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
How much can I build in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean?
That depends on the plot: the area of the Regional Land Use Plan (PRAS) in which it lies, a special land use plan (PPAS) if one applies, the Regional Urban Planning Regulation (RRU) and the municipality’s regulations. For each address, the Perceelscan report states which area and which PPAS apply, with a link to their provisions; in Brussels, it does not yet calculate the m² of floor area.
Which special land use plans (PPAS) apply in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean?
In Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, 12 special land use plans apply, including the most recent ones: ‘PPAS 15 "Gazomètre"’ (2018), ‘PPA N° 6D - QUARTIER ED. MACHTENS’ (2017) and ‘PPAS 8A ter’ (2014). In addition, 1 PPAS is in preparation. A PPAS only applies within its own area: for each address, the Perceelscan tells you whether one covers the plot.
Do I need a planning permit in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean?
For most works, yes: building, renovating, demolishing and changing the number of dwellings generally require a planning permit, and some activities also need an environmental permit; some minor works are exempt. You can see which permits already exist for an address on openpermits.brussels; the Perceelscan report lists the files for the plot.
Is my property listed as heritage in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean?
Molenbeek-Saint-Jean has 31 protected properties (listed or on the safeguarding list) and 877 properties in the legal inventory of architectural heritage. As a rule, a protected property cannot be demolished; the inventory is not a form of protection. For each address, the Perceelscan tells you whether the building is protected, lies in a protection zone or is in the inventory.
Is there a right of pre-emption in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean?
Yes, in 2 perimeters: Koekelberg - Molenbeek-Saint-Jean - Simonis (until 29 July 2029) and Anderlecht - Molenbeek-Saint-Jean - Parc de la Sennette (until 13 August 2030). Within such a perimeter, a public authority has the right to buy first when a property is sold; the decree in the Belgian Official Gazette states which authority. For each address, the Perceelscan tells you whether the plot lies inside one.
Which municipal urban planning regulation applies in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean?
The urban.brussels register lists no municipal urban planning regulation (RCU) for Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. The Regional Urban Planning Regulation (RRU) applies throughout Brussels; a municipality may have its own rules that are not in the register, so if in doubt, check with the municipality.
The special land use plans (PPAS) of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
| LEOPOLD II (PARTIE A) bv. du jubile, limite communale ouest | in force since 23 January 1992 |
|---|---|
| LEOPOLD II (PARTIE B) RUE DE RIBAUCOURT,bv. du jubile aménagement d'un espace récréatif … | in force since 23 January 1992 |
| LEOPOLD II (PARTIE C) place sainctelette, rue de ribaucourt | in force since 23 January 1992 |
| LEOPOLD II (partie c*) rue picard, av du port, rue ulens, rue de ribaucourt | in force since 11 February 1993 |
| PLACE COMMUNALE | in force since 20 November 1986 |
| PPA N° 10A QUARTIER DU KARREVELD | in force since 26 May 1967 |
| PPA N° 6D - QUARTIER ED. MACHTENS | in force since 13 July 2017 |
| PPA N° 7A BIS PARC DU KARREVELD | in force since 20 September 1952 |
| PPA QUARTIER SCHEUTBOS | in force since 26 November 1992 |
| PPAS 15 "Gazomètre" | in force since 8 March 2018 |
| PPAS 8A ter | in force since 13 February 2014 |
| PPAS n° 9. Ilot compris entre Bv Mettewie, av des Tamaris, rue du Géomètre, rue Van … | in force since 30 June 2011 |
| QUARTIER ELBERS | in preparation, not yet adopted |
In addition, 9 PPAS in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean have been repealed; the report mentions a repealed PPAS if it covered the plot.
What the Perceelscan checks for each plot in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
- The PRAS area with a link to its provisions, and the special land use plans (PPAS) and master development plans (PAD) with their status.
- Heritage: listing, the safeguarding list, protection zones, the legal inventory, UNESCO and the archaeological atlas.
- Flood hazard (2025 map), shallow groundwater and no-build zones along watercourses.
- The soil condition inventory and PFAS.
- Right of pre-emption, Natura 2000, nature reserves and Seveso sites nearby.
- Planning permits and environmental permits on the plot.
Find out for free what you can build on your plot in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
Building near Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
- What can you build in Koekelberg?
- What can you build in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe?
- What can you build in Ganshoren?
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- What can you build in Saint-Gilles?
- What can you build in Anderlecht?
- All Brussels municipalities
Source: BruGIS (perspective.brussels and urban.brussels) and Brussels Environment, open data under CC BY 4.0, retrieved on 11 October 2026.
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