The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Cobrace
What is Cobrace ?
The COBRACE is the Brussels Code for Air, Climate, and Energy Management. It applies exclusively to the Brussels region.
The main objective is to reduce the number of off-street parking spaces available in and around office buildings to discourage workers from driving for their “home-to-work” commutes.
How does it apply ?
With each renewal of the environmental permit, the maximum number of parking spaces is redefined based on two factors:
1. The accessibility of the office building by public transport, according to three designated zones (A: very well served, B: well served, C: moderately served).
2. Office space (m²):
• In zone A: 1 space per 200m²
• In zone B: 1 space per 100m²
• In zone C: 1 space per 60m²
Payment of a tax for excess spaces
If you do not want to invest in the reassignment of spaces and choose to keep the excess spaces, you will have to pay an annual tax per space.
• Zone A: 450€/space/year
• Zone B: 350€/space/year
• Zone C: 250€/space/year
This tax:
• Is indexed according to the consumer price index
• Increases by 10% each year
• Is due on January 1st following the extension decision
Managing your excess parking spaces
Reassignment of excess parking spaces
If the number of parking spaces at your offices exceeds the authorized amount, you have the option to simply eliminate these parking spaces.
You also have the option to reassign them for new uses to avoid wasting your spaces.
Reassignment of space can take various forms:
- Carpooling and car sharing
- Recharging zones for Electric Vehicles
- Delivery Zones
- Bike and motorbike spaces
- Repurposing of space (gyms, showers, etc)
Request for exemption of excess spaces
If the number of parking spaces at your offices is fewer than 3 spaces above the number you are entitled to, the COBRACE tax does not apply, and you can keep them.
If the number of spaces is between 3 and 10, the COBRACE will apply. You will need to either eliminate, reassign, or pay a tax on your additional spaces. To request an exemption, it is the applicant who must justify any potential exemption.
If you have more than 10 excess spaces and wish to request an exemption, you will need to conduct an impact study. This study must be carried out by a firm registered with Brussels Environment.
Creation of a public or roadside parking facility
Creating a public parking facility is a costly investment due to all the conditions that must be met:
- 24/7 Accessible parking without bookings
- Booking of space for office use is prohibited
- Have hour-by-hour histograms of traffic/movement
Moreover, the standards to be followed are numerous and can sometimes be expensive to implement. These are:
- Ventilation
- Emergency exits and access
- Traffic circulation
- Markings and signage
- Fire and pollution control systems
- Parking use
- Lighting and heating
Monetize your excess spaces.
If you do not convert your spaces into public parking or roadside parking, you will be required to eliminate them by replacing them with something else (such as showers, delivery areas, etc.). By making your spaces available for rent, you have the opportunity to keep your parking spaces while offsetting the cost of the tax.
Additionally, this does not necessarily require an investment, as companies like BePark cover all installation costs for the system in your parking facility.
Depending on the zone, BePark can help office building owners implement a strategy to best deal with this Cobrace tax.Thanks to BePark, you won’t need to worry about tenants, as BePark provides 24/7 assistance. We handle finding tenants to maximize the yield from your spaces and ensure proper payment from the tenants.
To have a discussion on how we can best guide you, click here and let's chat.
.jpg)