Second Homes Act (SHA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Subject matter
This Act regulates the permissibility of building new homes and of making changes to the structure and use of existing homes in communes with a proportion of second homes exceeding 20 per cent.
Art. 2 Definitions
1 In this Act, «home» means a collection of rooms that: a. is suitable for residential use; b. forms a structural unit; c. has an access either from outside or from a common area shared with other homes within the building; d. has cooking facilities; and e. is not a moveable object. 2 In this Act, «principal home» means a home that is occupied by at least one person who is permanently resident in the commune in which the home is located in accordance with Article 3 letter b of the Register Harmonisation Act of 23 June 2006. 3 The following homes are deemed equivalent to principal homes: a. homes that are permanently occupied for commercial or educational purposes; b. homes that are permanently occupied by a private household that permanently occupies another home in the same building; c. homes that are permanently occupied by persons who are not required to register with the residents’ register office, such as diplomatic staff or asylum seekers; d. homes that have been unoccupied for n
Para. 2 — SR 431.02
Art. 3 Duties and powers of the cantons
1 Where required, the cantons shall specify in their structure plan measures to encourage greater occupancy of second homes and to promote the hotel industry and reasonably priced principal homes. 2 They may issue regulations that limit the construction and use of homes more strictly than this Act.