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.
Section 1 Homes subject to the Previous Law
Art. 10 Definition
A home subject to the previous law under this Act is a home that lawfully existed or was the subject of a legally effective building permit on 11 March 2012.
Art. 11 Changes to structure and use
1 Homes subject to the previous law are not subject to any restrictions on residential use; existing or future restrictions on use under the cantonal or communal law are reserved. 2 Such homes may be renovated, converted, or demolished and rebuilt without any requirement to impose restrictions on use under Article 7 paragraph 1. Within building zones, the main useable area may be extended by a maximum of 30 per cent of the main usable area existing on 11 March 2012. Within these limits, additional homes and buildings may be created. 3 If the extension of an existing home exceeds the area mentioned in the second sentence of paragraph 2, the extension shall be permitted provided the home is declared to be a principal home as defined in Article 7 paragraph 1 letter a or a home intended as managed tourist accommodation as defined in Article 7 paragraph 1 letter b in conjunction with Article 7 paragraph 2 letter a or b and the relevant authorisation requirements are met. The building author
Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Oct. 2024 (AS 2024 501; BBl 2023 1480, 2025). Para. 3 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Oct. 2024 (AS 2024 501; BBl 2023 1480, 2025). Para. 4 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Oct. 2024 (AS 2024 501; BBl 2023 1480, 2025).
Art. 12 Abuse and undesirable developments
1 The cantons and communes shall take the measures required to prevent cases of abuse and undesirable developments that may result from the unrestricted use of homes subject to the previous law as second homes. 2 To this end, the cantons may impose more stringent restrictions than those contained in this Act on the change of use of homes previously used as principal homes to second homes together with the possible changes in accordance with Article 11 paragraphs 2–4. If these changes in use and structure do not require a building permit, the cantons may introduce a building permit requirement.
Section 2 Amendment and Suspension of Restrictions
Art. 13 Amendment
The amendment of the following restrictions on use requires a building permit: a. a change in use under Article 7 paragraph 1 letter a to use as a home intended as managed tourist accommodation; b. a change in use within the categories of use under Article 7 paragraph 2.
Art. 14 Suspension
1 At the request of the owner, the building authority shall suspend a restriction on use under Article 7 paragraph 1 for a specific period if: a. the restriction on use cannot be complied with temporarily due to special circumstances, such as death, change of residence or change in civil status; or b. the owner provides proof that the home has been publicly advertised but the attempt to find persons who would make adequate payment in order to use the home in accordance with the law has been unsuccessful. 2 The authority shall extend the suspension under paragraph 1 letter b if the owner provides proof that the requirements therefor continue to be met. 3 In ordering the suspension in accordance with paragraph 1 letter b and on any extension thereof, it shall also order a reassessment of the official value of the home at the owner’s expense. 4 The Federal Council shall regulate the duration of suspensions and their extensions as well as the details of the proof to be provided in accordan