Spatial Planning Act (SPA)
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 Aims
1 The Confederation, cantons and communes shall ensure that the land is used economically and that building areas are separate from the areas where building is not permitted. They shall coordinate their activities that have a spatial impact and implement a system of settlements that ensures the desired development of the country. They shall take account of the natural environment and of the needs of the population and the economy. 2 By means of spatial and regional planning measures, they shall in particular support efforts to: a. protect natural resources such as soil, air, water, forests and the landscape; abis. promote inward settlement development, while ensuring an appropriate quality of housing; b. create compact settlements; bbis. create and maintain the regional requirements for the economy; c. encourage social, economic and cultural life in the various regions of the country, and promote appropriate decentralisation of settlement and economic activities; d. guarantee the basis
Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2014 899; BBl 2010 1049). Para. 2 let. abis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2014 899; BBl 2010 1049). Para. 2 let. b — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2014 899; BBl 2010 1049). Para. 2 let. bbis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2014 899; BBl 2010 1049). Para. 2 let. f — Inserted by Annex
Art. 2 Planning requirements
1 The Confederation, cantons and communes shall plan their activities that have a spatial impact, and coordinate their planning efforts. 2 They shall take account of the spatial impact of their other activities. 3 Authorities responsible for planning shall ensure that subordinate authorities are given the necessary freedom to fulfil their remit.
Art. 3 Planning principles
1 Authorities responsible for planning shall take account of the following principles: 2 The countryside must be preserved. In particular: a. sufficient areas of suitable arable land, in particular crop rotation areas, should be reserved for agriculture; b. settlements, buildings and installations should integrate well into the landscape; c. lakesides and riverbanks should be kept free and accessible to the public; d. natural landscapes and recreational areas should be conserved; e. forests should be able to fulfil their functions. 3 Settlements must be arranged according to the needs of their inhabitants and their expansion must be limited. In particular: a. residential and working areas should be suitably located adjacent to each other and mainly planned in locations that are adequately served by public transport; abis. measures should be taken to make better use of unused or insufficiently used areas in building zones and of opportunities to consolidate the settlement area; b. resid
Para. 2 let. a — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2014 899; BBl 2010 1049). Para. 3 let. a — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2014 899; BBl 2010 1049). Para. 3 let. abis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2014 899; BBl 2010 1049). Para. 5 — Inserted by No I of the FA of 29 Sept. 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2026 (AS 2025 640; BBl 2018 7443).
Art. 4 Provision of information and participation
1 The authorities responsible for planning shall inform the public of the objectives and progress of planning under this Act. 2 They shall ensure that the public are able to participate adequately in the planning process. 3 Plans under this Act shall be made available for public inspection.
Art. 5 Compensation
1 Cantonal legislation shall establish a compensation procedure for major advantages and disadvantages resulting from planning under this Act. The minimum requirements are governed by paragraphs 1bis−1sexies. 1bis Advantages resulting from land being newly and permanently designated as a building zone shall be compensated for at a rate of at least 20 per cent. Compensation becomes due on the development or disposal of the land. 1ter The proceeds shall be used for measures under paragraph 2 or for other spatial planning measures under Article 3, in particular paragraphs 2 letter a and 3 letter abis. 1quater In calculating the compensation charged, the advantage resulting from being assigned to a building zone shall be reduced by the amount paid within a reasonable period to acquire a replacement agricultural building for personal use. 1quinquies Cantonal law may waive the charging of compensation if: a. a local authority would be liable to pay; or b. the anticipated income from the comp
Para. 1 — Second sentence inserted by No I of the FA of 29 Sept. 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2026 (AS 2025 640; BBl 2018 7443). Para. 1bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012 (AS 2014 899; BBl 2010 1049) Amended by No I of the FA of 29 Sept. 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2026 (AS 2025 640; BBl 2018 7443). Para. 1ter — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 May 2014 (AS 2014 899; BBl 2010 1049). Para. 1quater — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force sinc