Building application in St. Gallen
Local submission route and documents
Source checked: 24.10.2026
Canton of St. Gallen20 local pages · all municipalities served
Building permit in the canton of St. Gallenfor pergolas, louvred roofs, carports, garden sheds, pools and more
What is permit-free in the canton of St. Gallen, 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 St. Gallen: Only the minor projects listed in Art. 136 para. 2 PBG are permit-free. Shade sails, pergolas with a roof and carports require a permit.
All structures in the canton of St. Gallen at a glance
| Structure | Classification | Rule | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pergola | Building permit required | The administrative court classified a roofed pergola as a building; open pergolas are assessed case by case: a preliminary assessment is recommended. | Art. 136 PBG, Administrative Court B 2020/75 |
| Louvred roof | Building permit required | Covered patios require a building permit. | Art. 136 PBG |
| Patio cover | Building permit required | Patio covers and large shade sails require a building permit. | Art. 136 PBG, Administrative Court B 2018/99 |
| Carport | Building permit required | Carports require a building permit. | Art. 136 PBG |
| Garden shed | Depends on size and location | Small garden sheds may fall under Art. 136 para. 2 PBG; larger ones need a building application to the municipality. | Art. 136 Abs. 2 PBG |
| Pool | Building permit required | Permanently installed pools require a building permit. | Art. 136 PBG |
| Heat pump (outdoor unit) | Depends on size and location | Outdoor units: notification with a noise certificate, or a building application. | Art. 136 PBG, LSV |
| Solar installation (special case) | Depends on size and location | Solar installations under the RPG: notification (cantonal notification form 2026). Protected properties, open land, solar carport: building application. | Art. 136 Abs. 2 lit. i PBG, Art. 18a RPG |
Procedure in the canton of St. Gallen
Legal basis: Planning and Building Act (PBG). Go to the cantonal information page.
Submission: cantonal building application form (G1) on paper to the municipality; a cantonal eBau is planned from 2027.
Plan author: no formal professional qualification required.
Art. 136 para. 2 PBG lists which projects generally do not need a building permit. The Administrative Court classified a roofed pergola as a building (B 2020/75).
How your application works with us in the canton of St. Gallen
- 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 St. Gallen
What is permit-free in the canton of St. Gallen?
Only the minor projects listed in Art. 136 para. 2 PBG are permit-free. Shade sails, pergolas with a roof and carports require a permit.
How do I submit a building application in the canton of St. Gallen?
Cantonal building application form (G1) on paper at the municipality; a cantonal eBau is planned from 2027. Art. 136 para. 2 PBG lists the projects that generally do not require a building permit. The Administrative Court classified a covered pergola as a building (B 2020/75).
Who may draw up building plans in the canton of St. Gallen?
No formal professional qualification required.
Building application costs and scope of services · Prepare it yourself or have it done? · Dossier lead time and authorities' procedure
Towns and municipalities
Submitting a building application: local guides in the canton of St. Gallen
Digital submission, paper enclosures and signatures differ from place to place. These local pages contain notes with an official source.
Building application in Wil
Digital plus three paper copies
Source checked: 24.10.2026
Official offices in the canton of St. Gallen
We use these cantonal administration pages for every application. Checked on 24.10.2026.
- Cantonal information page on submitting a building application to the political municipality (Office for Spatial Development and Geoinformation)
- Download the cantonal building application form (main form G1 and supplementary forms), valid for all municipalities
- Overview of the canton's and municipalities' geoportals (geoportal.ch by IG GIS AG)
- Fee tariff for the cantonal and municipal administration (sGS 821.5) with cantonal fees in the building permit procedure, e
All sources by municipality: list of sources.
Local pages in the canton of St. Gallen
Every municipality has its own building and zoning regulations. We check them for your location, even if your village has no local page here.
Building application in the canton of St. Gallen, from CHF 690, in 5 working days.
Assessment in 2 working days. Non-binding.