Building permit in Biel/Biennefor pergolas, louvred roofs, carports, garden sheds and pools
For small structures in Biel/Bienne, 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 Biel/Bienne.
What needs a permit in Biel/Bienne
| 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 Biel/Bienne 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.
Biel/Bienne at a glance
- Competent office
- Urban planning, building permits and inspections Biel/Bienne (Stadtplanung, Baubewilligungen und Kontrollen)
- Submission
- The building application is submitted online via eBau and also printed twice, signed and sent by post to the urban planning office.
- Building and zoning regulations
- Regulations and zoning plan of Biel/Bienne
- Municipal fees
- According to the municipal fee schedule, 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 Biel/Bienne 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 Biel/Bienne | as per tariffyou pay the municipality |
Example: a 20 m² louvred roof on your house in Biel/Bienne. 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 Biel/BienneDocuments for your building application in Biel/Bienne
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 Biel/Bienne
- 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 Biel/Bienne
- Depending on the structure: noise certificate (heat pump), neighbours' consent
Frequently asked questions about building applications in Biel/Bienne
Where do I submit a building application in Biel/Bienne?
The building application is submitted online via eBau and also printed twice, signed and sent by post to the urban planning office. The responsible office is urban planning, building permits and inspections (“Stadtplanung, Baubewilligungen und Kontrollen”) of the municipality of Biel/Bienne.
Do I need a permit for a louvred roof in Biel/Bienne?
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 Biel/Bienne?
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 Biel/Bienne 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 schedule of the municipality of Biel/Bienne. We tell you the expected amount in the preliminary check.
Who may draw up the plans for a building application in Biel/Bienne?
No formal professional qualification required; plan requirements under Art. 15 ff. BewD.
How long does a building application in Biel/Bienne 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 Biel/Bienne?
If the municipality of Biel/Bienne 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 Biel/Bienne
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.
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Building application in Biel/Bienne, from CHF 690.
Assessment in 2 working days. Non-binding.