Pergola in the canton of St. Gallen: building permit needed?
Building permit required
Short answer: a roofed pergola was classified as a building by the Administrative Court; open pergolas are assessed case by case: preliminary check recommended.
Basis: Art. 136 PBG, VG B 2020/75. 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
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 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 pergola 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 pergola is already in place and the municipality requires an application.
Frequently asked questions
Does a pergola need a permit in the canton of St. Gallen?
Building permit required. The Administrative Court classified a pergola with a roof as a building; open pergolas are assessed case by case, so a preliminary check is recommended. Legal basis: Art. 136 PBG, Administrative Court B 2020/75.
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 the building application for a pergola in the canton of St. Gallen 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 St. Gallen
Pergola in other cantons
Pergola in the canton of St. Gallen, we file the application.
Assessment in 2 working days, dossier in 5. Enquire without obligation.