Solar installation (special case) in the canton of Lucerne: building permit required?
Depends on size and location
Short answer: roof installations over 20 m² are subject to notification (20 days before construction starts), smaller ones are permit-free. In townscape protection areas, on listed buildings, free-standing or as a solar carport: building permit.
Basis: § 54 PBV, Art. 18a RPG. Planning and Building Act (PBG) and Planning and Building Ordinance (PBV). As of October 2026. Applies within the building zone and outside core zones and protected areas. Municipalities may be stricter.
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What specifically applies in the canton of Lucerne
Since 2026, normal roof and façade systems only need a notification. A building permit is still required for systems in core zones and protected areas, on protected buildings, free-standing systems, solar fences and solar carports. These are exactly the cases solar installers often leave aside; we take them on.
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 solar installation 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 1'290, complete dossier, submission, queries and deadlines until the decision. Excl. municipal fees.
- Retrospective building application CHF 990, if a solar installation 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 solar installation (special case) need a permit in the canton of Lucerne?
Depends on size and location. Roof installations over 20 m² must be notified (20 days before construction starts), smaller ones are permit-free. In townscape protection areas, on listed buildings, detached or as a solar carport: building permit. Legal basis: § 54 PBV, Art. 18a RPG.
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 solar system cost in the canton of Lucerne?
Our fixed price is CHF 1'290 for the dossier, including submission and follow-up questions. Authority fees and agreed additional services are extra; the official tariff depends on the location.
Municipalities in the canton of Lucerne
Solar system (special case) in other cantons
Solar system (special case) in the canton of Lucerne: we submit it for you.
Assessment in 2 working days, dossier in 5. Enquire without obligation.