Heat pump (outdoor unit) in the canton of Thurgau: building permit required?
Depends on size and location
Short answer: outdoor units: notification with a noise certificate or a building application.
Basis: § 99 PBG, LSV. 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 Thurgau
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 Thurgau: tool sheds up to 9 m² footprint and 2.2 m total height, terrain changes up to 0.7 m in height and 200 m² in area, and retaining walls within narrow limits are permit-free (§ 99 PBG).
Procedure: § 99 PBG exhaustively lists the permit-free structures. For minor projects, there is the simplified procedure.
Submission: cantonal building application form to the municipality; digitally via eBau Thurgau if the municipality offers it.
Note the official municipal instructions in the canton of Thurgau and our document checklist.
Our fixed price for a heat pump in the canton of Thurgau
- 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) need a permit in the canton of Thurgau?
Depends on size and location. Outdoor units: notification with noise proof or building application. Basis: § 99 PBG, LSV.
Which procedure applies in the canton of Thurgau?
§ 99 PBG lists permit-free structures exhaustively. For minor projects there is the simplified procedure.
Who may submit the application in the canton of Thurgau?
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 Thurgau 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 Thurgau
Heat pump (outdoor unit) in other cantons
Heat pump (outdoor unit) in the canton of Thurgau, we file the application.
Assessment in 2 working days, dossier in 5. Enquire without obligation.