Building permit in Lucernefor pergolas, louvred roofs, carports, garden sheds and pools
For small structures in Lucerne, the building law of the canton of Lucerne applies, plus the municipality's building and zoning regulations. We prepare the complete application, submit it to the responsible building authority and support you through to the decision: fixed price from CHF 690.
Digital service by SL Handel GmbH, based in Zug, for your project in Lucerne.
See the officially documented submission route for Lucerne
What needs a permit in Lucerne
| 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 Lucerne 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.
Lucerne at a glance
- Competent office
- Lucerne Building Permits Department (Dienstabteilung Baubewilligungen)
- Submission
- Since January 2026, the permit procedure in the city of Lucerne can be handled entirely digitally via cymo ebau. The city department also assists with preliminary checks and building advice. Official submission guide
- Building and zoning regulations
- Lucerne regulations and zoning plan
- Municipal fees
- Under the Lucerne 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 in Lucerne 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 Lucerne | as per tariffyou pay the municipality |
Example: a 20 m² louvred roof on your house in Lucerne. 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 LucerneDocuments for your building application in Lucerne
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 Lucerne
- 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
- Check of the Lucerne zoning plan and regulations
- Depending on the structure: noise certificate (heat pump), neighbours' consent
The local submission route in Lucerne
In the city of Lucerne, the permit procedure can be handled fully digitally via cymo ebau since January 2026. The city department also supports preliminary checks and building advice.
- Use the access to cymo ebau linked on the city website.
- Handle the preliminary check, application documents and later follow-up questions in the intended digital workflow.
Source: City of Lucerne: building permits, accessed on 24.10.2026.
Frequently asked questions about building applications in Lucerne
How do I submit a building application in Lucerne?
In the city of Lucerne, the permit procedure can be handled fully digitally via cymo ebau since January 2026. The city department also supports preliminary checks and building advice.
Do I need a permit for a louvred roof in Lucerne?
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 in Lucerne exempt from a permit?
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 in Lucerne 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 is set by the fee regulations of the municipality of Lucerne. We tell you the expected amount in the preliminary check.
Who may draw up the application plans in Lucerne?
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 in Lucerne 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 Lucerne?
If the municipality of Lucerne 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 Lucerne
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.
More municipalities in the canton of Lucerne
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Building application in Lucerne, from CHF 690.
Assessment in 2 working days. Non-binding.