Building permit in Bernfor pergolas, louvred roofs, carports, garden sheds and pools
For small structures in Bern, the building law of the canton of Bern applies, plus the municipality's building and zoning regulations. We prepare the complete application, submit it to the responsible building authority and support you until the decision: fixed price from CHF 690.
Digital service by SL Handel GmbH, based in Zug, for your project in Bern.
Go to the officially documented submission route for Bern
What needs a permit in Bern
| Structure | Classification (canton of Bern) | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Pergola | Depends on size and location | Permit-free as an unheated small structure up to 10 m² and 2.5 m high, if functionally part of the main building. Larger or with a roof: building application (small procedure possible). |
| Louvred roof | Building permit required | Covered patios over 10 m² require a building permit; a small permit procedure without publication is often possible. |
| Patio cover | Building permit required | Patio roofs over 10 m² require a building permit. |
| Carport | Building permit required | Carports over 10 m² require a permit (practically every carport). |
| Garden shed | Depends on size and location | Unheated garden sheds up to 10 m² and 2.5 m need no permit; above that, a building application is required. Fully enclosed “garden halls” count as habitable and always require a permit. |
| Pool | Building permit required | Permanently installed pools require a permit. |
| Heat pump (outdoor unit) | Depends on size and location | Air-to-water heat pumps are permit-free if cantonal guidelines (noise, distances) are met; otherwise a building application is required. |
| Solar installation (special case) | Depends on size and location | Adapted roof or facade systems and small free-standing systems up to 10 m²: notification or exempt. Protected areas, larger open spaces, solar carport: building application via eBau. |
This table shows the cantonal rules. The municipality of Bern 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.
Bern at a glance
- Competent office
- Building inspectorate Bern (Bauinspektorat)
- Submission
- In the City of Bern, building applications are recorded electronically via eBau. The city's guidance also requires printed, signed application documents; their complete receipt is decisive for the deadlines to start running. Official submission guide
- Building and zoning regulations
- Regulations and zoning plan of Bern
- Municipal fees
- According to the Bern fee regulations, paid directly to the municipality.
- Cadastral plan
- From the geoportal of the canton of Bern; we obtain the extract.
- Plan author
- No formal professional qualification required; plan requirements under Art. 15 ff. BewD.
Official sources checked on 24 October 2026. The municipality's information is authoritative.
How much does a building application in Bern cost?
| 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 Bern | as per tariffyou pay the municipality |
Example: a 20 m² louvred roof on your house in Bern. You pay us CHF 690 for the dossier, submission and follow-up questions. The municipality invoices its permit fee separately. We tell you the expected amount in the preliminary check.
Request a fixed price for BernDocuments for your building application in Bern
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 Bern
- 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 of the canton of Bern, fully completed
- Construction description, elevations and list of enclosures
- Check of the zoning plan and regulations of Bern
- Depending on the structure: noise certificate (heat pump), neighbours' consent
The local submission route in Bern
In the city of Bern, building applications are entered electronically via eBau. The city's instructions also require printed, signed application documents; the deadlines only start once these have been received in full.
- Upload the documents to eBau and give them clear names.
- Also send the paper copies with original signatures required by the city's current instructions.
Source: City of Bern: eBau, accessed on 24.10.2026.
Frequently asked questions about building applications in Bern
How do I submit a building application in Bern?
In the city of Bern, building applications are entered electronically via eBau. The city's instructions also require printed, signed application documents; the deadlines only start once these have been received in full.
Do I need a permit for a louvred roof in Bern?
Covered patios over 10 m² require a building permit; a small permit procedure without publication is often possible. Legal basis: Art. 1a BauG, Art. 6 BewD.
Is a garden shed permit-free in Bern?
Unheated garden sheds up to 10 m² and 2.5 m high are permit-free; above that, a building application is required. Fully enclosed “garden halls” count as habitable and always require a permit. Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 let. a BewD.
How much does a building application in Bern cost?
With us, CHF 690 fixed price for the complete application including submission and follow-up questions; the preliminary check (CHF 149) is credited. The authority's fee is added and follows the fee regulations of the municipality of Bern. We tell you the expected amount in the preliminary check.
Who may draw up the plans for a building application in Bern?
No formal professional qualification required; plan requirements under Art. 15 ff. BewD.
How long does a building application in Bern take?
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 Bern?
If the municipality of Bern 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 Bern
Who signs, whether a scan is sufficient and what simplifications apply. We apply this information automatically in your dossier.
- Submission
- eBau Bern (BE-Login)
- Who signs
- The building owner and the project author, or the authorised person if represented; for buildings on someone else's land, the landowner. Condominium ownership: all owners, or a power of attorney or the minutes of the owners' meeting together with the by-laws.
- Form of signature
- Paper original required
Submission via eBau has been mandatory since 1 March 2022. Many municipalities also require two copies signed in original; the application is only deemed submitted once they are received. - Small projects
- Minor building permit (Art. 27 BewD) with the written consent of all adjoining owners. Solar installations: notification via eBau with site plan and dimensioned roof plan at 1:100.
- 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: City of Bern: submitting a building application, Municipality of Wohlen: information sheet.
More municipalities in the canton of Bern
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Building application in Bern, from CHF 690.
Assessment in 2 working days. Non-binding.