Building permit in Arbonfor pergolas, louvred roofs, carports, garden sheds and pools
Small structures in Arbon are governed by the building law of the canton of Thurgau plus the municipality's building and zoning regulations. We prepare the complete application, submit it to the competent building authority and support you through to the decision: fixed price from CHF 690.
A digital service by SL Handel GmbH, based in Zug, for your project in Arbon.
What needs a permit in Arbon
| Structure | Classification (canton of Thurgau) | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Pergola | Building permit required | Pergolas are not on the exhaustive list in § 99 PBG; they require a permit, usually under the simplified procedure. |
| Louvred roof | Building permit required | Covered patios require a building permit. |
| Patio cover | Building permit required | Patio covers require a building permit. |
| Carport | Building permit required | Carports require a building permit. |
| Garden shed | Depends on size and location | Tool sheds up to 9 m² and 2.2 m total height are permit-free; above that, a building application. |
| Pool | Building permit required | Permanently installed pools require a building permit. |
| Heat pump (outdoor unit) | Depends on size and location | Outdoor units: notification with a noise certificate, or a building application. |
| Solar installation (special case) | Depends on size and location | Roof or façade installations: notification. Protected properties, open land, solar carport: building application. |
This table shows the cantonal rules. The municipality of Arbon may set additional requirements in core zones, protected townscape areas and through its building regulations. We check the zoning plan and regulations for your plot. Cantonal information source.
Arbon at a glance
- Competent office
- Arbon Building and Environment (Bau/Umwelt)
- Submission
- Cantonal building application form at the municipality; online via eBau Thurgau where the municipality offers it.
- Building and zoning regulations
- Available from the municipality; we obtain it for you.
- Municipal fees
- According to the municipal fee schedule, paid directly to the municipality.
- Cadastral plan
- From the geoportal of the canton of Thurgau; we obtain the extract.
- Plan author
- No formal professional qualification required.
Official sources checked on 24 October 2026. The municipality's information is authoritative.
How much does a building application cost in Arbon?
| Preliminary check: is a permit needed? | CHF 149credited |
| Complete application for a pergola, louvred roof, carport, garden shed, pool or heat pump | CHF 690fixed price |
| Solar special case (core zone or protected building) | CHF 1'290fixed price |
| Fee of the municipality of Arbon | as per tariffyou pay the municipality |
Example: a 20 m² louvred roof on your house in Arbon. You pay us CHF 690 for the application file, submission and queries. The municipality invoices its permit fee separately. We tell you the expected amount in the preliminary check.
Request a fixed price for ArbonDocuments for your building application in Arbon
You provide little, we handle the rest. Here is how it is split:
To the building application checklist with official submission examples
What you send us
- Address of the property in Arbon
- 3 to 5 photos of the site (façade, patio, towards the boundary)
- Dimensions or the manufacturer's drawing of the product
- Signature of the building owner and the landowners
- For condominium ownership: consent of the owners' association
What we obtain and prepare
- Cadastral plan from the official survey
- Site plan with the structure, dimensions and boundary distances
- Application form for the canton of Thurgau, fully completed
- Construction description, elevations and list of enclosures
- Check of the Arbon zoning plan and regulations
- Depending on the structure: noise certificate (heat pump), neighbours' consent
Frequently asked questions about building applications in Arbon
Where do I submit a building application in Arbon?
At the building authority of the municipality of Arbon. Cantonal building application form at the municipality; digitally via eBau Thurgau if the municipality offers it.
Do I need a permit for a louvred roof in Arbon?
Covered seating areas require a building permit. Legal basis: § 98 PBG.
Is a garden shed permit-free in Arbon?
Tool sheds up to 9 m² and 2.2 m total height are permit-free; above that, a building application is needed. Legal basis: § 99 PBG.
How much does a building application cost in Arbon?
With us, the complete application costs a fixed price of CHF 690, including submission and queries; the preliminary check (CHF 149) is credited. The authority's fee comes on top and is based on the fee schedule of the municipality of Arbon. We state the expected amount in the preliminary check.
Who may draw up the building application plans in Arbon?
No formal professional qualification required.
How long does a building application take in Arbon?
We prepare the application file within 5 working days of receiving all required documents. The authority's processing time depends on the procedure, completeness and any objections.
Already built in Arbon?
If the municipality of Arbon requires a retrospective building application, the deadline is running. We confirm it on the same working day, check whether the project can be approved and submit within 3 working days. Retrospective building application
How to sign a building application in Arbon
Who signs, whether a scan is sufficient and what simplifications apply. We apply this information automatically in your dossier.
- Submission
- eBau Thurgau
- Who signs
- The applicant, the project author and the landowner, on the signature sheet that clearly identifies the application (eBau ID, plot).
- Form of signature
- A scan or photo is sufficient
Qualified electronic signature or a hand-signed, uploaded signature sheet. The municipality may ask for the original. - Small projects
- Heat pumps: noise protection certificate according to Cercle Bruit.
- Power of attorney
- We submit as your authorised representative. We enclose the power of attorney with the application, so we need it with your handwritten signature.
- Tenancy, condominium ownership
- Tenants need the landlord's written consent (Art. 260a CO); as landowner, the landlord also signs the application. With condominium ownership, structural changes to common parts (façade, roof, patio with exclusive right of use) generally require the consent of all condominium owners or a resolution of the owners' meeting (Art. 647d, 647e and 712g CC). The condominium regulations are decisive.
- Neighbours
- Neighbours' consent is usually voluntary but often speeds up the procedure. If boundary or building distances are not respected, it is required, depending on the canton as an easement entered in the land register.
As of October 2026. Practice differs between municipalities; the municipality and canton are authoritative. Sources: Canton of Thurgau: eBau, frequently asked questions.
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Building application in Arbon, from CHF 690.
Assessment in 2 working days. Non-binding.