Background
#Most solar systems in Switzerland do not need a building permit: sufficiently adapted rooftop systems in building and agricultural zones must instead be notified to the responsible authority before construction.
Since 1 January 2026, federal criteria also cover facade systems. Heritage status, cantonal protection zones, the system design and local rules can still require a permit, so confirm the process with the municipality before ordering.
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
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Notification or building permit?
#| Standard caseNotification procedure | ExceptionBuilding permit | |
|---|---|---|
| When it applies | The system meets federal criteria; protection status and cantonal rules have been checked. | A protected monument, cantonal protection zone, unmet criteria or a location outside the applicable zones can require a permit. |
| Before construction | Notify the responsible authority; the canton sets the deadline and attachments. | File a building application with the locally required documents and wait for the decision. |
When a roof system counts as “sufficiently adapted”
permitted zone for the modules
Pitched roofArt. 32a Abs. 1 RPV
- at most 20 cm above the roof surface, measured at right angles
- not projecting beyond the roof surface seen from above
- low-reflection and compactly arranged
Flat roofArt. 32a Abs. 1bis RPV
- at most 1 m above the top edge of the parapet
- set back far enough to be invisible from below at 45°
- low-reflection
What applies in Switzerland
#The basic rule is federal law: in building and agricultural zones, sufficiently adapted solar systems on roofs or facades need no building permit; such projects merely have to be notified to the responsible authority (Art. 18a para. 1 RPG, version in force since 1 January 2026). The use of solar energy generally takes precedence over aesthetic concerns.
On a pitched roof, a system counts as sufficiently adapted if it projects no more than 20 cm at right angles above the roof surface, does not protrude beyond the roof surface seen from above, is executed with low reflectivity according to the state of the art and is arranged compactly – technically required gaps or an offset layout due to the available area are permitted (Art. 32a para. 1 RPV).
Flat roofs have their own limits: at most 1 metre above the upper edge of the roof border, set back far enough that the system is not visible from below at a 45-degree angle, and executed with low reflectivity (Art. 32a para. 1bis RPV). Exceeding these values moves the project from the notification procedure into the ordinary permit requirement.
New since 1 January 2026, facade systems are also permit-free if sufficiently adapted. Art. 32aᵇⁱˢ RPV lists alternative conditions for this – such as a contiguous compact rectangular surface, the uniform replacement of previously uniformly designed facade elements, complete coverage of gable surfaces or a location in a work zone. In addition, unless cantonal law provides otherwise, the modules must not cover structuring or ornamental elements, must not protrude beyond the facade edges and must be mounted parallel to the facade at a distance of at most 20 cm and with low reflectivity.
Federal law names cultural and natural monuments of cantonal or national significance as a mandatory exception: these systems require a permit and must not significantly impair the monument (Art. 18a para. 3 RPG). Cantonal law may also require permits in clearly defined protection zones or exempt further, less sensitive building zones (Art. 18a para. 2 RPG).
The notification procedure itself is cantonal: permit-free projects must be notified before construction starts to the building permit authority or another authority designated by cantonal law; the deadline, plans and documents are set by cantonal law (Art. 32a para. 3 RPV). In practice this means: Zurich requires notification 30 days before construction via eBaugesucheZH, Lucerne exempts systems up to 20 m² from notification, and St. Gallen routes the notification through the municipality. The details for your canton are in the linked permit guides.
Notification and permits by canton
#Where the canton, municipality or grid operator sets its own rules, responsibilities or amounts, you will find the details for your canton here.
- AargauPV permitting Canton Aargau
- Appenzell AusserrhodenPV building permit Appenzell Ausserrhoden
- Appenzell InnerrhodenPV permitting Appenzell I.Rh.
- Basel-LandschaftPV notification Basel-Landschaft
- Basel-StadtPV permitting Basel-Stadt
- BernSolar Permit Bern
- FreiburgGround-mounted PV Fribourg
- FreiburgPV Facade Permit Fribourg
- GlarusPV permit Glarus
- GraubündenPV permitting Graubünden
- JuraPV permitting Jura
- LuzernPV permitting Canton Lucerne
- NidwaldenPV notification Nidwalden
- ObwaldenPV permitting Obwalden
- SchaffhausenPV permit Schaffhausen
- SchwyzPV permits Schwyz
- SolothurnPV notification in Solothurn
- St. GallenPV permitting St. Gallen
- ThurgauPV notification Thurgau
- UriPV permitting Uri
- ZugPV permits Zug
- ZürichPV permitting Canton Zurich
The process in five steps
#Tick off for your project
Clarify the zone
if the building is in a building or agricultural zone, the federal basic rule of Art. 18a RPG applies. Outside these zones, the ordinary permit requirement under Art. 22 RPG applies.
Check protection status and process
consult official zoning and heritage information. The City of Zurich also offers a non-binding, address-based preliminary check for roof and facade systems; the responsible authority makes the binding assessment for the specific project.
Check the adaptation criteria
measure the project against the limits of Art. 32a RPV (pitched roof: 20 cm, compact, low reflectivity; flat roof: 1 metre and the 45-degree rule) or Art. 32aᵇⁱˢ RPV for facades. A project within the limits stays in the notification procedure.
Submit the notification
before construction starts, to the authority designated by your canton, usually the municipality. Deadline and enclosures are regulated cantonally – check your canton’s permit guide and submit the notification early enough for the cantonal deadline to expire before the planned start of construction.
Replan if a permit is required
if a protected object or exceeding the limits triggers the permit requirement, the ordinary building application with its additional documents and longer procedure belongs in the project planning – ideally before the quote, not shortly before installation.
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.