Solar installation (special case) in the canton of Zurich: building permit required?
Depends on size and location
Short answer: sufficiently adapted roof and façade installations: notification. In core zones, where townscape or heritage protection applies, free-standing or as a solar carport: building permit via eBaugesucheZH.
Basis: Art. 18a RPG, § 2a 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.
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What applies in the canton of Zurich
Since 2026, normal roof and façade systems only need a notification. A building permit is still required for systems in core zones and protected areas, on protected buildings, free-standing systems, solar fences and solar carports. These are exactly the cases solar installers often leave aside; we take them on.
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 solar system 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 1'290, complete dossier, submission, queries and deadlines until the decision. Excl. municipal fees.
- Retrospective building application CHF 990, if a solar installation is already in place and the municipality requires an application.
Frequently asked questions
Does a solar installation (special case) need a permit in the canton of Zurich?
It depends on size and location. Sufficiently adapted roof and façade systems: notification. In core zones, with townscape or heritage protection, free-standing or as a solar carport: building permit via eBaugesucheZH. Legal basis: Art. 18a RPG, § 2a 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 solar installation in the canton of Zurich cost?
Our fixed price is CHF 1'290 for the dossier, including submission and follow-up questions. Authority fees and agreed additional services are extra; the official tariff depends on the location.
Municipalities in the canton of Zurich
Solar system (special case) in other cantons
Solar installation (special case) in the canton of Zurich, we file the application.
Assessment in 2 working days, dossier in 5. Enquire without obligation.