Garden shed in the canton of Zurich: building permit required?
Depends on size and location
Short answer: garden sheds up to 2.5 m high and 6 m² are permit-free (except in core zones/protected areas). Above that: declaration procedure for garden sheds and outbuildings.
Legal basis: § 1 let. a, § 14 let. m BVV. Planning and Building Act (PBG) and Building Procedure Ordinance (BVV). As of October 2026. Applies within the building zone and outside core zones and protected areas. Municipalities may be stricter.
What applies in the canton of Zurich
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 Zurich: buildings and installations up to 2.5 m total height and 6 m² floor area are permit-free in building zones, but not in core zones, protected areas or areas covered by protection orders (§ 1 let. a BVV).
Procedure: garden sheds and outbuildings follow the declaration procedure (§ 14 BVV); smaller projects follow the simplified procedure without profile poles or publication. The municipality decides on the procedure.
Submission: eBaugesucheZH; the switchover date, signatures and any paper enclosures depend on the municipality.
Note the official municipal instructions in the canton of Zurich and our document checklist.
Our fixed price for a garden shed in the canton of Zurich
- 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 require a permit in the canton of Zurich?
Depends on size and location. Garden sheds up to 2.5 m in height and 6 m² are permit-free (except in core zones or protected areas). Above that: notification procedure (Anzeigeverfahren) for garden sheds and outbuildings. Legal basis: § 1 lit. a, § 14 lit. m BVV.
Which procedure applies in the canton of Zurich?
Garden sheds and storage sheds follow the notification procedure (§ 14 BVV); smaller projects follow the simplified procedure without profile poles or publication. The municipality decides on the procedure.
Who may submit the application in the canton of Zurich?
No formal professional qualification is required for plan authors; plans must meet the requirements of the BVV and be signed by the client and the landowner. You give us a power of attorney; the client and the landowner sign the application.
How much does the building application for a garden shed in the canton of Zurich 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 Zurich
Garden shed in other cantons
Garden shed in the canton of Zurich: we submit it for you.
Assessment in 2 working days, dossier in 5. Enquire without obligation.