Heat pump (outdoor unit) in the canton of St. Gallen: building permit required?
Depends on size and location
Short answer: outdoor units: notification with a noise certificate or a building application.
Legal basis: Art. 136 PBG, LSV. Planning and Building Act (PBG). As of October 2026. Applies within the building zone and outside core zones and protected areas. Municipalities may be stricter.
What specifically applies in the canton of St. Gallen
When replacing a heating system, the outdoor unit is the sticking point: noise protection certificate, distance to the neighbour and design. Several cantons have a notification procedure (Meldeverfahren) for this, but only if the noise certificate is correct. Otherwise an ordinary application 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 heat pump 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 heat pump is already in place and the municipality requires an application.
Frequently asked questions
Does a heat pump (outdoor unit) require a permit in the canton of St. Gallen?
Depends on size and location. Outdoor units: notification with noise certificate or building application. Legal basis: Art. 136 PBG, LSV.
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 heat pump 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
Heat pump (outdoor unit) in other cantons
Heat pump (outdoor unit) in the canton of St. Gallen: we submit the application.
Assessment in 2 working days, dossier in 5. Enquire without obligation.