Act on Rest Days and the Opening and Closing Hours of Retail Outlets (RLG) - Subject Matter and Scope (RLG)

1. The law regulates rest days and store closing times.

2. It does not apply to

a. bakeries and confectioneries,

b. dairies and milk collection points with attached retail outlets,

c. flower shops,

d. gas stations and the associated sale of automobile accessories,

e. pharmacies,

f. currency exchange offices,

g. specialty shops for tobacco products, press publications, and postcards,

h. kiosks,

i. open sales stands,

k. travel and transportation agencies, as well as business premises of travel transportation companies and vehicle rental companies,

l. retail establishments in sports centers, seaside resorts, motorway service areas, and campsites, whose assortment serves the facility to which they are attached,

m. markets, fairs, and church festivals,

n. art galleries with or without sales activity, auctions excepted.

3. For retail outlets attached to gas stations with a regular sales area of no more than 100 m², §§ 5 subparagraph c, 14, and 15 paragraph 1 do not apply. These outlets must close by 10 PM at the latest every day.

4. In cases of doubt, the Lucerne police decide whether a sales outlet falls under this law or not.

5. Special provisions of hospitality and hunting law apply to the hospitality industry and hunting.

1. Public Holidays Are

a. Sundays,

b. New Year's Day, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, Federal Day, Assumption Day, All Saints' Day, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen's Day,

c. St. Joseph's Day and the day designated as the patronal feast in the parishes, if declared as public holidays by the municipal authorities.

2. The public holidays according to paragraphs 1a and b apply to the entire canton, those according to paragraph 1c apply to the area of the respective municipality.

3. New Year's Day, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, All Saints' Day, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen's Day are considered holidays within the meaning of the Federal Act on Work in Industry, Trade, and Commerce (Labour Act) of March 13, 1964[3].

1. High holidays are Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, the Federal Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

1. Sales Businesses primarily include store and floor businesses, department stores, warehouses, sales areas, rentals, depots, hair salons, banks, mobile shops, and business establishments of any kind offering goods or services to consumers.

1. Kiosks are counter-like small retail outlets where only a kiosk assortment is offered. This includes, specifically, press products, sweets, and tobacco items.

1. Unless the municipalities have stipulated otherwise in their legislative enactments, the municipal council is the competent authority for the execution of this law.

1. On public rest days, all activities that are likely to disturb the rest and dignity appropriate to the day or the church service are prohibited, particularly

a. any activity that causes excessive noise or disturbance,

b. work in industrial, commercial, trade, and agricultural establishments as well as in public administrations,

c. * keeping retail stores open and serving customers, except on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM,

d. * conducting public sales of any kind, especially in itinerant trade or at auctions,

e. * ...

1. The following are permitted

a. urgent work in public administrations, agriculture, and nurseries,

b. work in the health and funeral services,

c. urgent vehicle repairs,

d. necessary work in establishments where the nature of the business requires continuous operation,

e.* ...

f. the conducting of field shooting,

g. shooting events, particularly to fulfill mandatory shooting requirements, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., provided that religious services are not disrupted; subject to § 9 paragraph 2,

h. emergency assistance work.

i.* ...

2. ...

1. The Lucerne Police may exceptionally grant permission

a. To keep retail businesses open and serve customers in municipalities with extensive mountainous areas,

b. To conduct promotional events, exhibitions, demonstrations, and similar activities, where, depending on the event, any sales activity, direct sales with goods delivery, and even the taking of orders may be prohibited.

2. The Department of Economic Affairs and Labor may authorize temporary or permanent work on public holidays if there is an urgent need.

3. No special permit is required if permission is granted under the Labor Law or by a federal authority.

1. The municipality may permit shooting festivals and shooting competitions of regional significance as well as traditional shooting events from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

2. As an exception, the municipality may allow shooting events instead of from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM according to § 6 paragraph 1g, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM for a duration of 4 hours.

3. The municipality may allow retail stores specifically catering to tourism, such as stores offering watches, jewelry, embroidery, books, souvenirs, or sporting goods, to remain open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM during times of significant tourist traffic.

4. The municipality may permit retail stores to be open on two Sundays of the year, with one Sunday required to fall in the month of December.

1. On major public holidays, the activities listed in § 5 and the following activities are prohibited

a. Sports events and shooting club exercises,

b. * ...

c. * Entertainment business events, such as exhibitions and similar activities,

d. Keeping gaming venues open,

e. Aviation operations at civilian airports and model airfields.

1. The exceptions for certain activities under § 6 also apply to the high holidays, except for shooting events according to § 6 paragraph 1f and g.

1. The Department of Justice and Security may grant exceptions in special cases.

2. Exceptions pursuant to § 8 paragraph 1a and § 9 paragraph 3 may also be granted for the high holidays.

1. Sales establishments must close at the latest in the evening

a. * Monday to Friday at 7 PM,

b. * Saturday at 5 PM,

c. * on the eve of a public holiday at 5 PM.

2. ...

1. The municipality may grant permission for one evening sale per week until no later than 9 p.m., but not on the eve of a public holiday. It may designate different evening sale days for individual districts.

2. The municipality may allow shops specifically oriented towards tourism, such as those selling watches, jewelry, embroidery, books, souvenirs, or sporting goods, to remain open until 10:30 p.m. during times of significant tourist activity.

1. The Lucerne Police may grant deviating closing times for special needs in accordance with § 8 paragraph 1b.

1. Whoever is subject to a fine who

a. violates the provisions of §§ 5 and 10 regarding the maintenance of peace on public rest days and high holidays,

b. violates the provisions of §§ 6 paragraphs 1f and g as well as 11 regarding the conduct of shooting events,

c. * ...

d. operates a business or performs an activity listed therein without an exemption permit according to §§ 8, 9, and 13,

e. does not adhere to the general closing times for retail shops as stipulated in § 14.

1. If offenses are committed in the course of business by a legal entity or a partnership, the acting organs or partners are subject to punishment.

1. The enforcement of this law is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Security, insofar as it does not contain any provisions to the contrary.

1. The Law on Public Holidays of October 8, 1940, and the Law on Closing Times of Retail Stores on Weekdays of January 28, 1975, are repealed.

1. This law shall enter into force on March 1, 1988. It is subject to an optional referendum.