Actions that do not require a building permit or notification

Enclosures and visibility to the street

Sight requirements at driveways and corners

• At a driveway, maintain clear sight at least 2.5 metres from the street or footway.
• At street corners and driveways, height must not exceed 0.8 metres measured from street level.
• On a corner lot, height must not exceed 0.8 metres within 10 metres in each direction from the intersection.

Privacy screen

A solid fence is a dense structure that can be used, for example, to mark a boundary or restrict access. It may also serve as protection against overlooking, noise or wind.

Fence

A fence is a low, open structure that is primarily used to mark property boundaries, create a sense of enclosure, or frame a garden.

Trellis and pergola

A trellis is a vertical, open structure, usually made of wood, metal or bamboo, used to support climbing plants and fruit trees.

A pergola is a garden structure with posts and an open or partially covered roof, often made of slats, that creates an outdoor room, provides shade, and supports climbing plants such as ivy or roses.

Accessory buildings, façade and installations

Accessory buildings within a detailed development plan area

The following applies to accessory buildings and extensions that may be built without planning permission:

• You may build several accessory buildings, but the largest may not exceed 30 square metres.
• The total building area of all accessory buildings on the property may not exceed 45 square metres.
• The ridge height may not exceed 4 metres, measured from the average ground level.
• You may extend your dwelling by up to 30 square metres.
• If the building is placed closer than 4.5 metres to the property boundary, consent from the neighbour is required.

Accessory buildings outside a detailed development plan area

The following applies to accessory buildings and extensions that may be built without planning permission:

• You may build several accessory buildings, but the largest may not exceed 50 square metres.
• The total building area of all accessory buildings on the property may not exceed 65 square metres.
• The ridge height may not exceed 4.5 metres, measured from the average ground level.
• You may extend your dwelling by up to 30 square metres.
• If the building is placed closer than 4.5 metres to the property boundary, consent from the neighbour is required.

Façade changes

You may repaint and change façade or roofing materials without a permit if the building’s character is not significantly altered. If you are unsure, contact the Environment and Building Unit so the Building Permit Section can assess whether the change is significant.

Solar panels and solar thermal collectors

You may install without a permit if all conditions are met:

• Mounted on top of existing façade cladding or roofing material.
• Follow the shape of the building; do not change roof pitch and do not angle panels out from the façade.
• The measure complies with the detailed development plan.
• Not on buildings or in areas that are of special historical, cultural or environmental value.
• Not within or adjacent to areas of national defence interest.

Power cables

No permit is required to lay power cables underground within your own property.

Land and walls

Ground works without a permit

Excavation and fill may be carried out without a ground works permit if:

• The change does not exceed 0.5 metres measured from existing ground level.
• The change does not noticeably affect drainage on the property.

Recommendations for safe ground works

• Do not change ground levels closer than 2 metres to the boundary.
• Keep slope gradients gentler than 1:3 to reduce the risk of collapse.
• Adapt works to local conditions to preserve the character of the property and the landscape.