Background
#Canton Schwyz has three building permit procedures — the ordinary, the simplified and the notification procedure.
For solar installations the third is normally decisive, but only if two sets of requirements are met cumulatively. On location: the notification procedure applies to roof-mounted systems in building and agricultural zones, including the roofs of annexes or ancillary buildings such as garages and carports, and to roof and facade systems in industrial and commercial zones and in zones for public buildings and facilities.
In the latter zones the mere duty to notify applies even where the system does not meet the design criteria. On design: on a pitched roof a system counts as "sufficiently adapted" if it projects at most 20 centimetres perpendicular to the roof surface, does not extend beyond the roof surface when seen from above, is low-reflection according to the state of the art, and is arranged compactly.
Alternative criteria apply to flat roofs: at most one metre above the upper edge of the roof rim, set back far enough from the roof edge that the system is not visible from below at a 45 degree angle, and likewise low-reflection. If both sets are met, the notification is filed online via the eBau portal as a "building notification for a minor project", at least 20 days before work starts.
Absent any contrary reply, work may begin once that period has elapsed. The cantonal planning guide expressly clears up a common misconception: solar systems that are merely subject to notification are still subject to a building permit requirement — the notification procedure is a permit procedure, not a waiver of one.
For your roof
What fits on your roof?
Enter your address to see roof area, yield and a guide price from federal data. We then clarify notification or permit with your municipality.
Free and non-binding · no unsolicited calls
Rather talk directly? +41 78 615 90 58
What applies in the canton of Schwyz
#Location and design must both fit: if the system meets both sets of criteria, the notification procedure applies. If not, it must be authorised through the simplified or ordinary procedure.
Industrial and commercial zones and zones for public buildings and facilities enjoy a relaxation: there, roof and facade systems are subject only to notification even if they do not count as sufficiently adapted.
Protected objects change the procedure fundamentally: for cultural and natural monuments of national or regional importance, ISOS-A townscapes and buildings in the cantonal protection inventory, the notification procedure does not apply. Only in BLN areas does it remain possible if heightened requirements are met.
The notification does not replace the fire safety permit: solar installations require a fire safety permit and must comply with current fire safety regulations. A fire brigade plan must be submitted with the notification, among other documents.
For new builds a substantive permit condition is added: since 1 May 2022 all (replacement) new builds are subject to the self-generation obligation. To be eligible for a permit, all (replacement) new builds within the green area of the cantonal map must meet it.
Additional cantonal or municipal design criteria may only be applied if they do not restrict the use of solar energy more than federal law does and are proportionate to safeguarding legitimate protection interests.
The process in five steps
#Tick off for your project
Use the cantonal geoinformation system to check whether the planned system lies in a protection zone or on a protected object. The impact of the new system must also be assessed in the immediate vicinity of protected objects.
Work through and document the design criteria for the pitched or flat roof on the specific project: construction height, overhang, set-back, low reflectivity and compact arrangement.
For new builds, clarify the self-generation obligation
under § 8c of the cantonal energy act new builds must generate part of the electricity they need themselves; § 24d of the cantonal energy ordinance requires at least 10 W per m² of energy reference area, with no more than 30 kW required in total.
File the notification online via the eBau portal as a "building notification for a minor project" at least 20 days before work starts, with complete documents: site plan including fire brigade plan, roof plan with dimensioned roof and roof-edge distances, roof section with construction height, and technical specifications.
Wait out the notification period. Absent any contrary reply, work may begin once the 20 days from receipt of the notification by the competent authority have elapsed. If the authority concludes that an ordinary or simplified procedure is required, it says so in writing within the notification period and refers the application to that procedure.
Checked for your roof, not just read up on
What fits on your roof?
Enter your address to see roof area, yield and a guide price from federal data. We then clarify notification or permit with your municipality.
Free and non-binding · no unsolicited calls
Rather talk directly? +41 78 615 90 58
Frequently asked questions
#Sources
#The responsible authorities are decisive. Always verify binding details – amounts, deadlines and conditions – for your specific property against the current status of the respective authority.