Garden shed in the canton of St. Gallen: building permit required?
Depends on size and location
Short answer: small garden sheds may fall under Art. 136 para. 2 PBG; larger ones need a building application to the municipality.
Basis: Art. 136 para. 2 PBG. Planning and Building Act (PBG). As of October 2026. Applies within the building zone and outside core zones and protected areas. Municipalities can be stricter.
What specifically applies in the canton of St. Gallen
In many cantons, small garden sheds are permit-free up to a certain floor area and height. Depending on the canton, the limits range from 4 to 12 square metres; above that, a small-structure application or a notification is required.
Permit-free in the canton of St. Gallen: only the minor projects listed in Art. 136 para. 2 PBG are permit-free. Shade sails, roofed pergolas and carports are considered to require a permit.
Procedure: Art. 136 para. 2 PBG lists which projects generally do not require a building permit. The Administrative Court classified a roofed pergola as a building (B 2020/75).
Submission: cantonal building application form (G1) on paper to the municipality; a cantonal eBau is planned from 2027.
Note the official municipal instructions in the canton of St. Gallen and our document checklist.
Our fixed price for a garden shed in the canton of St. Gallen
- 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 garden shed is already in place and the municipality requires an application.
Frequently asked questions
Does a garden shed need a permit in the canton of St. Gallen?
Depends on size and location. Small garden sheds may fall under Art. 136 para. 2 PBG; larger ones require a building application to the municipality. Legal basis: Art. 136 para. 2 PBG.
Which procedure applies in the canton of St. Gallen?
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).
Who may submit the application in the canton of St. Gallen?
No formal professional qualification is required. You give us a power of attorney; the client and the landowner sign the application.
How much does a building application for a garden shed cost in the canton of St. Gallen?
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 St. Gallen
Garden shed in other cantons
Garden shed in the canton of St. Gallen, we file the application.
Assessment in 2 working days, dossier in 5. Enquire without obligation.