Pergola in the canton of Lucerne: building permit required?
Usually no permit required
Short answer: open garden pergolas without commercial use are permit-free. As soon as a roof is added, they no longer are.
Legal basis: § 54 PBV. Planning and Building Act (PBG) and Planning and Building Ordinance (PBV). As of October 2026. Applies within the building zone and outside historic core zones and protected areas. Municipalities may be stricter.
What specifically applies in the canton of Lucerne
A classic pergola is a structure open on all sides with no fixed roof. As soon as a fixed or closable roof is added (louvres, glass, panels), it usually counts legally as a patio cover, and therefore as a building.
Permit-free in the canton of Lucerne: non-commercial garden and outdoor design features such as open pergolas are permit-free (§ 54 PBV). Tight dimensions apply to small structures; anything larger needs a building application.
Procedure: the "Earthquake Safety Declaration of the Canton of Lucerne" must also be submitted with the building application. Permit-free projects are exhaustively listed in § 54 PBV.
Submission: cantonal eForm plus at least one signed paper copy to the municipality; the city of Lucerne uses cymo ebau.
Note the official municipal instructions in the canton of Lucerne and our document checklist.
Our fixed price for a pergola in the canton of Lucerne
- Preliminary check CHF 149, written assessment with the procedure, documents and fee range of your municipality. Credited towards the application.
- Building application CHF 690, complete dossier, submission, queries and deadlines until the decision. Excl. municipal fees.
- Retrospective building application CHF 990, if a pergola is already in place and the municipality requires an application.
Plan authors must be qualified professionals (§ 188 para. 3 PBG). In Lucerne we work with a qualified plan author who co-signs the application.
Frequently asked questions
Does a pergola need a permit in the canton of Lucerne?
Usually no permit required. Open garden pergolas without commercial use need no permit. As soon as a roof is added, they do. Basis: § 54 PBV.
Which procedure applies in the canton of Lucerne?
The “Deklaration Erdbebensicherheit Kanton Luzern” (earthquake safety declaration) must also be submitted with the building application. Permit-free projects are listed exhaustively in § 54 PBV.
Who may submit the application in the canton of 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. You give us a power of attorney; the client and the landowner sign the application.
How much does a building application for a pergola in the canton of Lucerne cost?
Our fixed price is CHF 690 for the dossier including submission and follow-up questions. Official fees and any agreed additional services are extra; the official tariff depends on the location.
Municipalities in the canton of Lucerne
Pergola in other cantons
Pergola in the canton of Lucerne: we submit the application.
Assessment in 2 working days, dossier in 5. Enquire without obligation.