Who grants the building permit for a detached house in the canton of Zurich?
Wer erteilt die Baubewilligung für ein Einfamilienhaus im Kanton Zürich?
Correct answer: B
- A the neighbourder Nachbar
- B the municipalitydie Gemeinde
- C the neighbourhood committeedas Quartierkomitee
- D the architectdie Architektin
Why
The municipality grants the building permit, because it knows the local spatial planning and the local building rules.
Common mistakes
- A: the neighbour
- Neighbours may file an objection to a building project, but they do not approve it.
- D: the architect
- The architect plans the house, but needs a permit from the municipality too.
Topic
The municipalities are the lowest of the three political levels. For people they are often the first point of contact. They carry out many tasks for which neither the Confederation nor the canton is responsible. Each municipality decides itself in its municipal code (Gemeindeordnung) how it is organised. The municipality is close to the people and knows the local situation.
Canton and municipality of Zurich
Municipalities and the city of Zurich
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 120 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.