Canton of Bern24 local pages · all municipalities served

Building permit in the canton of Bernfor pergolas, louvred roofs, carports, garden sheds, pools and more

What is permit-free in the canton of Bern, what needs a notification and when a building application is mandatory, with the legal basis and our fixed-price service for towns and villages across the canton.

Permit-free in the canton of Bern: Unheated small structures up to 10 m² floor area and 2.5 m high that are neither lived in nor used commercially and functionally belong to a main building are permit-free (Art. 6 para. 1 let. a BewD).

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Overview of all structures in the canton of Bern

Structure	Classification	Rule	Legal basis
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).	Art. 6 para. 1 let. a BewD
Louvred roof	Building permit required	Covered patios over 10 m² require a building permit; a small permit procedure without publication is often possible.	Art. 1a BauG, Art. 6 BewD
Patio cover	Building permit required	Patio roofs over 10 m² require a building permit.	Art. 6 BewD
Carport	Building permit required	Carports over 10 m² require a permit (practically every carport).	Art. 6 BewD
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.	Art. 6 para. 1 let. a BewD
Pool	Building permit required	Permanently installed pools require a permit.	Art. 1a BauG
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.	Art. 6 Abs. 1 lit. f BewD
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.	Art. 6 Abs. 1 lit. f BewD, Art. 18a RPG

Procedure in the canton of Bern

Legal basis: Building Act (BauG) and Building Permit Procedure Decree (BewD). Go to the cantonal information page.

Submission: digitally via eBau of the canton of Bern; many municipalities additionally require two signed paper copies.

Plan author: no formal professional qualification required; plan requirements under Art. 15 et seq. BewD.

For smaller projects there is the minor building permit procedure without publication. If the project is in a protected area, near a body of water or within the forest distance, it always requires a permit (Art. 7 BewD).

How your application works with us in the canton of Bern

Enquiry. You send us the address, structure, dimensions and photos, via form, e-mail or WhatsApp. Takes 3 minutes.
Preliminary check. Within 2 working days you know whether it is permit-free, a notification or a building application, with the procedure, documents and fee range.
Approval. You confirm via the payment link and sign the power of attorney digitally.
Application file. We prepare forms, construction description, site plan, floor plan, section and enclosures, complete and compliant with the municipality's requirements.
Submission. You sign, we submit (digitally or by post) and confirm receipt to you.
Decision. We answer the municipality's queries. You receive the authority's decision and information on the next steps.

Questions about the building application in the canton of Bern

What is permit-free in the canton of Bern?

Unheated small structures up to 10 m² floor area and 2.5 m high that are neither lived in nor used commercially and functionally belong to a main building are permit-free (Art. 6 para. 1 let. a BewD).

How do I submit a building application in the canton of Bern?

Digitally via eBau Kanton Bern; many municipalities also require two signed paper copies. For smaller projects there is the minor building permit procedure without publication. If the project is in a protected area, near a body of water or within the forest setback distance, it always requires a permit (Art. 7 BewD).

Who may draw up building plans in the canton of Bern?

No formal professional qualification required; plan requirements under Art. 15 ff. BewD.

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