COBRACE

Nearly everything you need to know

The COBRACE regulation aimed at reducing the number of parking spaces around office buildings affects many businesses in Brussels. Its goal is to encourage employees that work in Brussels not to systematically take the car to commute to work.

Mini guide

The Ultimate Guide to COBRACE

After looking into the COBRACE regulation and advising many corporate clients on the implementation of it, we gathered all our knowledge and advice, and wrote the mini guide "The Ultimate Guide to COBRACE".

Download it in PDF format and read it whenever you want.

 DOWNLOAD THE MINI GUIDE FOR FREE

 

Table of Contents

What is COBRACE?

The COBRACE (Brussels Code for air, climate, and energy management) is a regulation in the Brussels region aiming at reducing the number of off-street parking spaces available in office buildings.

 

Find more information:

Blog
What is COBRACE and who is involved?

Mini guide
The Ultimate Guide to COBRACE

 

Who does this regulation concern? (and who not)

In concrete terms, this regulation, which came into force in 2016, applies to any person or company owning an office building in the Brussels region. Although this regulation is in force for all owners of office buildings in the Brussels region, its impact will not be the same for all buildings.

Indeed, its application systematically depends on several factors.

Not concerned:

  • Housing
  • The shops
  • Craft, industrial, logistical, warehousing, or production activities of material services
  • Public car parking
  • Equipment of collective interest or public service
  • Taxis
  • Hotels

 

When does this regulation apply?

COBRACE is applied when renewing the environmental permit (which has to be renewed every 15 years) or when building a new office building in the Brussels-Capital Region.

 

What can be the effects on my business?

Taxation costs will be high if the right actions aren’t taken. Therefore it is important to take this regulation into account and act to it.

 

How is it calculated? What are the criteria?

COBRACE is calculated based on 2 different criteria, namely the size of the office, and the zone (A, B, C) in which the office is located.

If the number of parking spots exceeds the number you are allowed according to COBRACE, you will pay for those extra parking spaces.

 

What can I do to reduce the impact of COBRACE?

 

If you find out that your building has surplus parking spaces you have three possible actions to take.

The first option prescribed by law is the reallocation of these spaces for other uses.

The second option available to you is to transform part of your parking into a “public” parking lot that can accommodate any motorist in search of a parking spot.

The third option is to pay the tax according to the COBRACE law.

 

Find more information:

Mini guide
The Ultimate Guide to COBRACE

Blog
How to build a circular economy approach with a car park
Social landlords: the advantages of working with BePark to enhance the value of your parking

Quiz
How good are you at parking management?
What value can you generate with your parking?