Hospitality and Catering Act (GWG) - Subject Matter** (GWG)

1. This law regulates

a) hospitality services and events

b) hospitality industry regulations

c) the sale of alcoholic beverages in retail establishments

1. This Law Does Not Apply To

a) Charitably operated institutions and homes, provided that they do not serve food and beverages to any third parties.

b) Agricultural and alpine enterprises, which predominantly offer their own products as a secondary occupation.

c) Establishments with a maximum of six seating or standing places, provided that only non-alcoholic beverages are served, as well as guesthouses with a maximum of six boarders.

d) The rental of holiday homes, holiday apartments, and private rooms, provided they are not rented out to passersby.

e) Vending machines for the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

**1. Hospitality Services within the Meaning of this Law**

A person provides hospitality services in a permanent establishment if they

a) Accommodate guests for a fee.

b) Serve beverages or provide meals for consumption on the premises for a fee.

c) Provide spaces for a fee where brought-in beverages or meals are consumed.

d) Operate a dancing establishment, nightclub, or similar venue (permanent performances).

**2. Event within the Meaning of this Law**

Any public event where beverages and meals are provided for a fee is considered an event within the meaning of this law.

1. Any person engaging in an activity subject to this law requires a license or a permit.

2. A license is required for providing hospitality services. A permit is needed for all other activities under this law.

3. Licenses and permits are issued as police authorizations tied to a natural person and specific premises or locations. They may be subject to conditions and requirements.

1. The Patent and the Permit specify the hospitality service or event allowed in each individual case.

**1. The Permit is Granted If the Applicant:**

a) is legally competent

b) personally guarantees and is responsible for an impeccable operation of the business

c) has the necessary premises and facilities that meet the building, health, fire, and traffic police requirements

d) guarantees that the operation does not cause unreasonable impacts on the neighborhood

**2. For the License, the Applicant Must Additionally Prove That:**

a) they have a good reputation and personally and responsibly conduct the operation. The same person may only be granted one license for the same business period

b) they have not been fruitlessly subjected to distraint or bankruptcy proceedings have not been initiated against them

**3. Applications for a License Must Be Submitted in Writing to the Competent Authority:[1] Two Months Before the Business Opening or Takeover, Applications for a Permit Ten Days Before the Event.**

1. Expiration of Patents and Licenses

a) through renunciation

b) upon the death of the holder

c) through revocation

d) if the right to dispose of the premises used for the operation expires or if these premises have become unusable for their intended purpose

e) when the duration of the license or patent has expired

2. If a patent expires and this results in a particular hardship for the continuation of the business, the business may operate as a temporary solution for a maximum of six months. A responsible person must be designated to the competent authority immediately.

1. The patent or the license shall be revoked if

a) the requirements are no longer fulfilled

b) the patent or licensing fee is not paid within the prescribed deadline

c) there are repeated violations of the hospitality industry regulations

2. In minor cases, the competent authority may issue a warning. This warning may be accompanied by conditions and stipulations.

1. The responsible person must personally ensure that peace, order, safety, decency, and propriety are maintained within their area of operation or during the event they organize.

2. Anyone operating an accommodation establishment must keep a guest register for the cantonal police, in which the guest must register upon arrival. The responsible person must ensure that the entry is verified with an identification document of the guest.

1. Guests who do not comply with the instructions of the responsible person may be expelled.

2. If a guest resists, the responsible person may request assistance from the police.

1. In all hospitality establishments and at all events where alcoholic beverages are served, a selection of common non-alcoholic beverages must also be offered.

2. In this context, a selection of non-alcoholic beverages must be offered at a lower price than the cheapest alcoholic beverage in the same quantity.

1. Alcoholic beverages must not be served to

a) obviously intoxicated persons

b) youths under 16 years of age

c) youths under 18 years of age, in the case of spirits

2. For mixed drinks, distribution is governed by the regulations of the Federal Alcohol Administration.

1. Public Dance Events and Continuous Performances according to Article 3 Letter d are Prohibited

a) From Good Friday to Holy Saturday

b) From the Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer to Monday

c) From All Saints' Day to All Souls' Day

d) On Christmas Eve (December 24)

1. Persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from entering permanent performances as indicated in Article 3, letter d. Paragraph 2 applies to establishments exclusive for dancing.

2. Individuals under the age of 16, who are not accompanied by parents or their representatives, are not allowed to remain in public houses or participate in events after midnight under this law.

3. Children under the age of 12 may only stay in public houses or attend events after 8:00 PM if accompanied by adults or with parental permission, under this law.

4. The competent authority may impose additional operational and event-specific conditions in the interest of youth protection.

1. The responsible person must allow the supervisory bodies access to the premises of the hospitality business and the event at any time.

1. Retail Trade in Distilled Spirits is Governed by Federal Law (SR 680).

2. Trade in Fermented Beverages is License-Free.

1. Alcoholic beverages sold in retail premises may not be provided for consumption on the premises or in its immediate vicinity without a permit.

2. Article 12 applies.

3. Alcoholic beverages may not be sold in vending machines.

1. The Government Council supervises the implementation of this law.

1. The competent authority executes this law, unless otherwise specified.

2. In particular, it is responsible for granting and, if necessary, revoking all patents and permits. Before granting and revoking a patent, the local municipal council at the location of the operation must be consulted.

1. Any person who obtains a patent or a license under this law is required to pay a fee for it. For permanent establishments, the fee is due annually.

2. The amount of the fee is determined by the type of establishment or event. It ranges from 50 Swiss Francs to 2,000 Swiss Francs annually or per individual case. The government council may adjust the maximum rates in accordance with inflation.

3. Recurring fees may be adjusted annually to reflect changing circumstances, particularly inflation.

4. The government council shall issue a regulation in this regard.

5. In addition to the patent and license fees, fees pursuant to the cantonal fee ordinance (RB 3.2512) are also due.

1. Patent and licensing fees are generally to be paid in advance. Further details are governed by a regulation issued by the governing council.

2. The fees are assessed and collected by the competent directorate.

3. One third of the patent and licensing fees is to be transferred to the municipality of location. The remaining patent and licensing fees remain with the canton, which uses them for tourism promotion.

1. A person shall be punished with a fine who, intentionally or negligently

a) engages in an activity subject to this law without the required patent or authorization

b) violates the regulations governing the hospitality industry police

c) disregards the provisions concerning the dispensing and sale of alcohol

1. Administration of Justice is governed by the Ordinance on Administrative Justice (RB 2.2345).

1. The following are repealed

a) the Hospitality Act of 26 February 1984

b) the Hospitality Ordinance of 18 April 1984

1. The Hospitality Industry Fund aims to enhance the quality of the hospitality industry in Uri.

2. For this purpose, namely to promote education and meet further needs in the service of the Uri hospitality industry, it will be entrusted to the Uri Innkeepers' Association upon the enactment of this law.

1. This law is subject to a referendum.

2. The government council determines when it comes into force.