Aargau is speeding up the building permit process through digital procedures
The Round Table Working Group on Building Permits has agreed on specific measures to make the relevant procedures in the canton of Aargau more efficient and to speed them up. The authorities are focusing on digitalisation, standardised processes and regular communication.
According to a press release, the Round Table on Building Permits, initiated and organised by the Department of Construction, Transport and the Environment (BVU) of the Canton of Aargau, aimed to make building permit procedures more efficient and to speed them up across the canton. Short building permit procedures are therefore considered an important locational advantage, but are complicated by legal reviews and factors such as high-density development and climate protection. In addition to the ongoing revision of the Building Act to promote digital procedures, the BVU has sought dialogue with authorities and the business community. At the end of February 2026, concrete measures were adopted at the second meeting.
A key approach is digitalisation: in future, planning applications are to be processed paperlessly via the eBau platform, which should also improve the quality of the documentation. Furthermore, target deadlines have been set. For local authorities, 50 per cent of applications are now to be processed within 70 days and 85 per cent within 100 days. Monitoring is planned following the introduction of eBau. Standardised processes, checklists and model procedures are being developed to optimise workflows. Municipalities are advised to delegate more responsibilities to the administration in order to speed up procedures. Furthermore, knowledge transfer is to be strengthened through additional training opportunities, and the involvement of industry and commerce is to be expanded. Dialogue between authorities and the business community is also to be institutionalised through regular round-table discussions.
“We were able to develop concrete solutions to speed up procedures in a constructive atmosphere,” said State Councillor Stephan Attiger. “I would like to thank everyone involved for their willingness to participate in this process and make an active contribution.” The round table was attended by representatives from local authorities, associations, the business sector and cantonal specialist departments.