Second homes restriction

The second homes restriction addresses pressure from holiday dwellings on land use, housing availability and alpine landscapes. In Switzerland it is constitutionally and federally regulated and is especially relevant in municipalities where the share of second homes is high. New dwellings may have to be used as primary residences or fall within recognised exceptions, such as certain tourist accommodation or protected existing buildings. The restriction is checked in planning and building permit procedures and may be secured by land-register notes or use conditions. Enforcement concerns both construction and later changes of use.