Noise Abatement Ordinance (NAO) (NAO)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 32 Requirements
1 The project owner of a new building shall ensure that the soundproofing of the external building elements and partitions of rooms sensitive to noise, and of the stairs and building facilities complies with recognised codes of building practice. These are in particular, for noise from civil aerodromes that are used by heavy aircraft, the stricter requirements, and for noise from other stationary installations, the minimum requirements, of SIA Standard No 181 of the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects. 2 If the ambient limit values are exceeded but the requirements of Article paragraph 22 for granting a building permit are met, the enforcement authorities shall impose stricter requirements for the soundproofing of the external building elements appropriately. The costs associated with these stricter requirements shall generally be considered reasonable if they do not exceed one per cent of the building costs. 3 The requirements also apply to the external building elements, partit
Para. 1 — Sentence amended by No I of the O of 12 April 2000, in force since 1 May 2000 (AS 2000 1388). Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the O of 25 Feb. 2026, in force since 1 April 2026 (AS 2026 114).
Art. 33 External building elements, partitions and building facilities
1 External building elements form the external boundary of a room (e.g. windows, external doors, external walls, roofs). 2 Partitions (e.g. internal walls, ceilings, doors) serve to separate individual units, such as dwellings, within the building. 3 Building facilities are fixed installations such as heating, ventilation, supply and disposal systems, lifts and washing machines.
Art. 34 Application for planning permission
1 The project owner must specify in the application: a. the exterior noise pollution and the measures assessed in accordance with Article 31 paragraph 1 in the event that the ambient limit values have been exceeded; b. the use to which the rooms are put; c. the external building elements and partitions of rooms sensitive to noise. 2 For building projects in areas in which the impact thresholds are exceeded, the enforcement authorities may demand details of the soundproofing of the external building elements.
Para. 1 let. a — Amended by No I of the O of 25 Feb. 2026, in force since 1 April 2026 (AS 2026 114).
Art. 35 Inspections
After building works are completed, the enforcement authorities shall make random checks to verify whether the soundproofing measures comply with the requirements. In the event of any doubt, they must carry out a more detailed inspection.
