The Federal Spatial Planning Law (LPT) regulates the licensing practice for solar installations in building and agricultural zones. For “sufficiently adapted” solar energy systems, an announcement to the competent authority is sufficient since the building permit requirement has lapsed. The latter, however, is still necessary for installations on cultural monuments.
LPT Art. 18a Solar Installations (new from 1.5.2014)
1 In building zones and agricultural zones, solar installations sufficiently adapted to roofs do not need a permit under Article 22 Paragraph 1. Such projects need only be announced to the competent authority.
2 Cantonal law may:
a. designate certain types of building zones where aesthetics are less important, in which other solar installations may also be exempt from permitting;
b. Provide for a permit requirement in clearly defined types of protected areas.
3 Solar installations within cultural or natural monuments of cantonal or national importance are always subject to permit requirements. They must not substantially impair these monuments.
4 For the remainder, the interest in using solar energy in existing or new buildings prevails in principle over aesthetic aspects.
