Digitisation of building permit procedures in the canton of Zurich
The Canton of Zurich is introducing a fully digital building permit procedure, which will come into force on 1 April 2024. This innovation enables building applications to be submitted and processed via the online platform "eBaugesucheZH", which will establish a more efficient, paperless process.
As part of its efforts to modernise and digitalise administrative processes, the canton of Zurich has taken a decisive step to simplify and speed up the building permit procedure. From 1 April 2024, the procedure for submitting building applications will be completely digitalised with the introduction of the platform. This development marks a step forward in the administration and processing of building projects by reducing paper consumption and increasing efficiency.
Since its launch in February 2020, the platform has already made a significant contribution to simplifying the building permit process. It enables a smooth exchange of information between applicants, authorities and other parties involved and supports the entire process from submission to approval of a building project. Until now, however, the process was not completely paperless, as legal provisions prevented the exclusive use of digital means.
The latest amendments to the Planning and Building Act, the Building Procedure Ordinance (BVV) and the Special Building Ordinance I, which were passed by the Government Council, remove these hurdles. The new legal basis paves the way for a fully digitalised building permit procedure. Building Director Martin Neukom emphasises the importance of this development and stresses that the implementation of this digital project will create a customer-oriented and resource-saving service that meets today’s requirements and simplifies the processing of building applications for all parties involved.
To ensure full implementation, all cities and municipalities in the canton of Zurich must switch to the new, exclusively electronic process within three years. This changeover promises to make the building permit process more efficient and environmentally friendly, which represents a significant innovation for property management professionals.