Building permit in Horwfor pergolas, louvred roofs, carports, garden sheds and pools
Small structures in Horw are subject to the building law of the canton of Lucerne plus the municipality's building and zoning regulations. We prepare the complete application, submit it to the competent building authority and support you until the decision: fixed price from CHF 690.
A digital service by SL Handel GmbH, based in Zug, for your project in Horw.
What requires a permit in Horw
| Structure | Classification (canton of Lucerne) | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Pergola | Usually no permit required | Open garden pergolas without commercial use are permit-free. As soon as a roof is added, they no longer are. |
| Louvred roof | Building permit required | A louvred roof protects against the weather and therefore requires a building permit. Plan authors must be qualified professionals; our partner co-signs. |
| Patio cover | Building permit required | Seating area and terrace covers require a building permit. |
| Carport | Building permit required | Carports require a building permit. |
| Garden shed | Depends on size and location | Small garden sheds can be permit-free if they comply with the dimensions in § 54 PBV; larger ones need a building application. We check the dimensions against your municipality's regulations. |
| Pool | Building permit required | Permanently installed pools require a permit. |
| Heat pump (outdoor unit) | Depends on size and location | Heat pump outdoor units: permit-free or subject to notification if noise protection and distances are respected; otherwise building application. |
| Solar installation (special case) | Depends on size and location | Roof systems over 20 m² must be notified (20 days before construction starts); smaller ones are exempt. In townscape protection areas, on listed buildings, free-standing or as a solar carport: building permit. |
This table shows the cantonal rules. The municipality of Horw may set additional requirements in core zones, in protected townscape areas and in its building regulations. We check the zoning plan and regulations for your plot. Cantonal information source.
Horw at a glance
- Competent office
- Horw Spatial Planning and Building Permits (Raumplanung und Baubewilligung)
- Submission
- Cantonal e-form plus at least one signed paper copy to the municipality; the city of Lucerne uses cymo ebau.
- Building and zoning regulations
- Regulations and zoning plan of Horw
- Municipal fees
- Under the Horw fee regulations, paid directly to the municipality.
- Cadastral plan
- From the geoportal of the canton of Lucerne; we obtain the extract.
- Plan author
- Plan authors must be qualified professionals (§ 188 para. 3 PBG). In Lucerne we work with a qualified plan author who co-signs the application.
Official sources checked on 24 October 2026. The municipality's information is authoritative.
How much does a building application cost in Horw?
| 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 charged by the municipality of Horw | as per tariffyou pay the municipality |
Example: a 20 m² louvred roof on your house in Horw. 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 HorwDocuments for your building application in Horw
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 Horw
- 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 Lucerne, fully completed
- Construction description, elevations and list of enclosures
- Review of the zoning plan and regulations of Horw
- Depending on the structure: noise certificate (heat pump), neighbours' consent
Frequently asked questions about building applications in Horw
Where do I submit a building application in Horw?
At the building authority of the municipality of Horw. Cantonal eForm plus at least one signed paper copy to the municipality; the city of Lucerne uses cymo ebau.
Do I need a permit for a louvred roof in Horw?
A louvred roof protects against the weather and therefore requires a building permit. Plan authors must be qualified professionals; our partner co-signs. Legal basis: § 184, § 188 PBG.
Is a garden shed permit-free in Horw?
Small garden sheds can be permit-free if they comply with the dimensions in § 54 PBV; larger ones need a building application. We check the dimensions against your municipality's regulations. Legal basis: § 54 PBV.
How much does a building application cost in Horw?
With us, the complete application costs a fixed price of CHF 690, including submission and queries, and the preliminary check (CHF 149) is credited. The authority's fee is extra and is calculated according to the fee regulations of the municipality of Horw. We tell you the expected amount in the preliminary check.
Who may draw up the building application plans in Horw?
Plan authors must be qualified professionals (§ 188 para. 3 PBG). In Lucerne we work with a qualified plan author who co-signs the application.
How long does a building application take in Horw?
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 Horw?
If the municipality of Horw requires a retrospective building application, the deadline matters. 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 Horw
Who signs, whether a scan is sufficient and what simplifications apply. We apply this information automatically in your dossier.
- Submission
- eBAGE+ (electronic building application)
- Who signs
- The building owner and the landowner (§ 188 PBG). The landowner's signature is a prerequisite for a valid application. Plans are prepared by qualified professionals (§ 188 para. 3 PBG).
- Form of signature
- A scan or photo is sufficient
Hand-signed and scanned signature sheet or qualified electronic signature (§ 56 PBV). In addition, at least one paper copy of the documents, which we prepare for you. - Small projects
- Simplified procedure with fewer enclosures for small projects. A copy of the digital land register plan is sufficient as the site plan.
- 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 Lucerne: § 188 PBG.
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Building application in Horw, from CHF 690.
Assessment in 2 working days. Non-binding.