General Building Ordinance (GBO) (ABV)

1 Buildings and facilities within the meaning of the Planning and Building Act are

a. Buildings that are embedded in the ground or, with a certain local

connection, standing thereon, are, by their extent, capable of

influencing the surroundings through air and light displacement,

superimposition on an open ground area, or through other effects;

b. all outwardly visible changes to land or its use that are significant

under planning and building law.

2 Buildings and facilities notably include

Buildings,

Walls and fences,

Advertisements,

Outdoor antennas,

Installations for the use of solar energy,

Sports, play, and recreational facilities,

Swimming pools,

Camping sites,

Independent parking spaces, workshops, and storage areas,

Installations for material extraction and deposition,

Traffic and other transport facilities,

Filling stations.

14, 16 Buildings** are stationary structures that, for the protection of people, animals, or things, possess a fixed roof and generally further enclosures.

13, 16 1 Small structures are detached buildings with a

footprint of no more than 50 m², whose total height does not exceed 4.0 m,

or 5.0 m for sloped roofs and attached structures, and which

contain only ancillary usable floor area.

1. 1. 25-127

700.2 General Building Ordinance (GBO)

2 Attached structures are buildings connected to another building

with a footprint of no more than 50 m², whose total

height does not exceed 4.0 m, or 5.0 m for sloped roofs, and which

contain only ancillary usable floor area.

13, 16 Underground structures are buildings which, with the exception

of the access and the railings and balustrades, lie entirely

below the relevant or the lowered ground level.

13, 16 Subterranean structures are buildings that do not extend above the

relevant or lowered ground level by more than 0.5 m at any point in the façade line. In areas of access, measurements are taken from the relevant ground level.

Facilities are secondary installations to buildings and structures, such as playgrounds, rest areas, noise barriers, vehicle parking spaces, and internal access roads.

8 Equipment refers to technical installations of buildings and facilities that serve their use or safety.

14, 16 1 The naturally grown terrain is considered the determining terrain.** If this can no longer be ascertained due to previous excavations and embankments, the natural terrain of the surrounding area must be taken as a basis.

**2 For planning or development-related reasons, the determining terrain may be divergently stipulated in a planning or building permit procedure.**

13, 16 1. The Building Line

The building line is the envelope surface, formed by the vertical lines through the outermost points of the building structure above the relevant ground level.

2. Protruding and insignificantly recessed building parts are not taken into account.

13, 16 The façade line is the intersection of the façade plane and the determining ground level.

13, 16 The projected building line is the projection of the building

line onto the plane of the official survey.

13, 16 1 Protruding building parts may project a maximum of 2 m beyond

the facade line and may not, with the exception of roof projections,

exceed half of the respective facade section.

2

General Building Ordinance (GBO)

700.2

2 For the permissible proportion of the respective facade section,

multiple protruding building parts on different storeys are added together.

13, 16 1 Recessed building parts are set back from the main facade.

Recessed Building Parts

2 Insignificantly recessed building parts are set back by a maximum of 1.5 m from the facade line and do not exceed one-fifth of the corresponding facade section.

13, 16 Building Zone. The building zone encompasses the developable area which is determined in a land use plan, deviating from setback regulations and building lines.

II. Area Development (§ 69 PBG)13

14, 16 For the measurement of the site area, the measurement method provisions regarding the developable plot area for utilization figures apply mutatis mutandis.

III. The Utilization Figures (§§ 254 et seq. PBG)

1. The Building Exploitation Ratio (§ 255 para. 4 PBG)

14, 16 Rooftop, Attic, and Basement Floors that, within the meaning of Article 276

para. 2 PBG2, replace a full storey, shall be considered full storeys for the calculation of the

floor area ratio. Rooftop, Attic, and Basement Floors

a.

8, 16 The following are not included in the calculation

a. multi-purpose community rooms serving recreational purposes in multi-family homes and single-family housing estates, provided they reach at least 20 m² and, if larger, do not exceed 2% of the computable floor area,

b. ancillary rooms serving workplace design up to 2% of the computable floor area,

c.14 glazed balconies, verandas and loggias, as well as winter gardens and vestibules without heating installations, provided they serve energy saving purposes, up to 20% of the sum of all computable floor areas.

1. 1. 25-127

3

700.2

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

2. The Building Coverage Ratio (§ 256 PBG)14

Non-computable ancillary rooms serving recreational purposes

Ancillary rooms serving workplace design

Building components serving energy saving purposes

14, 16 For glazed balconies, verandas and loggias, as well as winter gardens and windbreaks without heating installations, to the extent that they serve energy saving purposes, the building density figure may be increased by up to 20% of the zone-specific base figure.

3. The Green Space Index (Art. 257 PBG)20

Deductible Green Spaces

Open Space Ratio (OSR) = usable open space (UOS) in %

determining land area (DLA)

The Building Coverage Ratio

Calculation of the Building Coverage Ratio (BCR)

Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) = built-up area in %

determining land area (DLA)

15, 19 1 Natural ground areas are surfaces that have a natural soil structure and natural infiltration properties.

2 Planted ground areas are surfaces with a sufficient humus layer that enables permanent vegetation and does not regularly dry out.

4. The volume index (§ 258 PBG)19

Allocation of the

volume index

GF = Ground Area

BM = Building Mass

above-ground building mass

relevant Ground Area (GF)

Building Volume Ratio =

BVR =

Length L. Width W. Height H

GF = Ground Area

Weathering Zone

h/2

h/2 = Weathering Zone

Weathering Zone is not

to be included/counted

h/2

Street

The Distances

Terms

G = Basic Setback

ALSC = Additional Length Surcharge

AHSC = Additional Height Surcharge

g = required boundary setback

BL = Basic Length according to

Building Code

AL = Additional Length

AH = Additional Height

BH = Building Height

14, 16 1 The municipalities may divide the volume ratio and regulate it separately for

a. main buildings,

b. minor buildings and annexes.

**2 For glazed balconies, verandas and loggias as well as conservatories and draught lobbies without heating installations, insofar as they serve to save energy, an additional volume ratio applies. It amounts to 20% of the zone-appropriate basic ratio.**

§§ 14-16.6

Attribution

IV. Special Use Orders (§ 49a para. 3 PBG)8

6

8 Spaces directly serving the special use, including associated access areas and sanitary facilities, along with internal partitions, are attributed to it.

6

4

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

700.2

8 1 Boundaries Immediately Mixed Spaces for Special Use

adjoining other spaces or common ancillary rooms and access Buildings

facilities, their area extends to half the thickness of the

partition wall.

2 Common ancillary rooms and access areas are allocated according

to the actual ratio between special and other use.

V. Definition and Measurement Method of the Municipal Boundary Setback

(§ 260 PBG)

1 The boundary clearance consists of the basic setback and

A. Definition

the additional height surcharge as well as the additional length surcharge according to the Building and Zoning Regulations.8

2 If the conditions for the additional length and additional height surcharge apply concurrently, the surcharge for the additional length shall first be added to the basic setback, and thereafter the surcharge for the additional height.

Permissible Building Height for Standard Development

The Setbacks

Boundary Setback for Stepped Facades

(Illustration limited to one facade)

Relevant Building Length

GL

ML 1

G

MLZ I

GL

ML 1

GL

ML 2

G

TG

MLZ 1

MLZ 2

G

GL

ML 1

!

> 2G

G

MLZ1G

§§ 21-26 ABV

The Setbacks

Boundary Setback Diagram of a Complex Building Volume

(Superimposition of all facade setbacks)

Assumptions

G = 6m on all sides

GL = 15m

MLZ = 1/3 ML, max. MLZ = 7m

§§ 21-26 ABV

The Setbacks

Boundary Setback of a Rounded Building Volume

§§ 21-26 ABV

Boundary Setback due to

Additional Height exceeding 12m

Boundary Setback due to

Exceeding the

Permissible Building Height

§270 Para. 2 PBG

16 1 The basic setback is the smallest required boundary setback without

B. Basic

surcharges for additional lengths and heights; it is measured

setback

perpendicular to the projected façade line and radially over the

building corners.14

2 If, according to the building and zoning regulations, there are two

different basic setbacks, the smaller one must be applied radially

around the building corners.

1 The supplementary charge for extra length corresponds to a specific portion C. Supplementary charge

of the facade length qualified as extra length; the supplementary charge may be limited to for extra length

a maximum.

2 The supplementary charge for extra length is measured at right angles to the facades;

it is not applied beyond the building corners.

I. In General

1. In the case of facades with horizontal segmentation, the length relevant for the extra-length surcharge is determined separately for each facade section.

2. Recessed facade sections are measured through projecting parts up to the outermost visible building edge, in or in front of the facade plane; projecting parts are only considered independent facade sections if their mutual distance is at least the sum of two basic distances.

3. For angled or rounded facades, the length relevant for the extra-length surcharge is determined in the same way as for facades with horizontal segmentation; the angling or rounding is to be regarded as a horizontally segmented facade with infinitely small offsets.

II. In case of a special facade course

700.2

General Building Ordinance (GBO)

III. For small buildings and annexes

D. Extra-height surcharge

14, 16

Small buildings and annexes are not taken into account when calculating the additional length surcharge, unless the building and zoning regulations stipulate otherwise.

The extra height surcharge within the meaning of § 260 para. 2 PBG2 is measured at right angles to the facades and radially over the building corners.

Concept

VI. Facade length (§ 292 PBG and §§ 6 c and 6 d)14

14, 16 1 The facade length corresponds to the facade section

which is decisive for calculating the permissible width of projecting and insignificantly

recessed building parts, as well as roof superstructures.

2 Above-ground projections extending over more than one storey are added to the facade length

if they have a closed height of more than 1.3 m in the direction of the relevant facade.

3 The Building and Zoning Ordinance may stipulate that the facade lengths of adjacent

main buildings relevant for the additional length allowance are added together if the building

distance falls below a certain measure.9

Definition

VII. Building Length and Building Width (§ 49 PBG)8

> 1.30

Relevant

Facade Length

1.30

1.30

Relevant

Facade Length

Building Length / Building Width

Relevant Building Width

Relevant Building Length

Relevant Building Length

Relevant

Smallest Enclosing Rectangle

Relevant

Building Width

14, 16 1 The building length is the longer side of the rectangle of smallest

area that encloses the projected facade line.

2 The building width is the shorter side of the rectangle of smallest

area that encloses the projected facade line.

3 Extensions are not taken into account, unless the Building and

Zoning Ordinance stipulates otherwise.

6

General Building Ordinance (ABO)

VIII. The Basement (§ 275 para. 3 PBG)14

700.2

Building Height with Influence

**from Boundary and Building Line Setbacks**

**§§ 270 and 278 et seq. PBG**

Building Line Influence Area according to § 278 para 2

Building Line Influence Area

max. 15.00

e.g. 9.00

max. 15.00

§ 279 para 2

14, 16 The average extent to which basements may project beyond the measurement line of the facade is calculated from the sum of the facade areas above the facade line, divided by the length of the projected facade line.

IX. Special Terms

1. **Significant Impairment by Shadowing within the Meaning of § 284 PBG:**

a. For developed properties: shadowing of inhabited neighboring buildings or those located in residential zones lasting longer than three hours on average winter days, typically measured at their base point.

b. For undeveloped properties in residential zones: shadowing of developable areas of the neighboring property lasting longer than three hours on average winter days, provided that this renders impossible or significantly hinders a development consistent with local conditions and the building and zoning regulations.

2. However, there is no significant impairment by shadowing if it is demonstrated with a cubic comparison project that complies with the regulations in all respects, that a development consistent with the building and zoning regulations would not result in less shadowing of the neighboring property.

3. If, in residential zones, the development on the neighboring property is considerably outdated or disproportionate to the objectives of the building and zoning regulations, the rules for both developed and undeveloped properties shall apply simultaneously.

1 Open in the sense of § 286 PBG

2 An overbuilding is considered open if its buildings stand freely on all sides.

Open and

closed

2 An overbuilding is considered closed if the buildings are built together on one side or multiple sides, or are placed or permitted or required to be placed on a boundary.

overbuilding

8 Housing Types Comparable to Single-Family Houses

a. are not located in a common stairwell with other dwellings and have direct access to the outside,

b. are furthermore situated in a building part that outwardly resembles a single-family house.

1. 1. 25-127

7

700.2

§§ 32a and 33.6

15

General Building Ordinance (GBO)

X. Entry into Force

Coming into Effect

This Ordinance shall enter into force³ after approval by the

Cantonal Council and publication in the Official Gazette on a date

to be determined by the Government Council.

Transitional Provisions for the Amendment of 11 May 2016

(OS 72, 60)

Until the Building and Zoning Ordinance is adapted to the amendment

of 14 September 2015 of the Planning and Building Act, the

following provisions, in the version valid before the entry into force of the

amendment of 11 May 2016, shall remain applicable: §§ 2, 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 5, 6, 6 a,

6 b, 6 c, 6 d, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 25, 27, 28, 29.

8

1 OS 46, 770 and GS V, 91.

2 LS 700.1.

3 In force since 1 July 1978.

4 Approved by the Cantonal Council on 29 August 1977.

5 Cf. Art. III, paras. 3 and 4 of the amendment to the Act of 1 September 1991

(OS 51, 817). In force since 1 February 1992 (OS 52, 48).

6 Repealed by Government Council Decision of 25 September 1991 (OS 52, 44). In force since

1 February 1992 (OS 52, 48).

7 Inserted by Government Council Decision of 25 September 1991 (OS 52, 44). In force since

1 February 1992 (OS 52, 48).

8 Version according to Government Council Decision of 25 September 1991 (OS 52, 44). In force since

1 February 1992 (OS 52, 48).

9 Inserted by Government Council Decision of 5 August 1992 (OS 52, 216). In force since 1 Octo-

ber 1992 (OS 52, 240).

10 Version according to Government Council Decision of 5 August 1992 (OS 52, 216). In force since 1 Octo-

ber 1992 (OS 52, 240).

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

700.2

11 Inserted by Government Council Decision of 14 May 2003 (OS 58, 199). In force since 1 January

2004 (OS 58, 250).

12 Inserted by Government Council Decision of 10 September 2008 (OS 64, 127; ABI 2008, 1535).

In force since 1 July 2009.

13 Inserted by Government Council Decision of 11 May 2016 (OS 72, 60; ABI 2016-05-27). In force

since 1 March 2017.

14 Version according to Government Council Decision of 11 May 2016 (OS 72, 60; ABI 2016-05-27). In force

since 1 March 2017.

15 Repealed by Government Council Decision of 11 May 2016 (OS 72, 60; ABI 2016-05-27). In

force since 1 March 2017.

16 Transitional provisions for the amendment of 11 May 2016. In force since 1 March

2017 (see Appendix).

17 Version according to correction of 24 April 2019 (OS 74, 188). In force since

24 April 2019.

18 Version according to Government Council Decision of 18 March 2020 (OS 76, 263; ABI 2020-03-27). In

force since 1 August 2021.

19 Inserted by Government Council Decision of 14 September 2022 (OS 79, 427; ABI 2022-09-30).

In force since 1 December 2024.

20 Version according to Government Council Decision of 14 September 2022 (OS 79, 427; ABI 2022-09-30).

In force since 1 December 2024.

1. 1. 25-127

9

700.2

Appendix 114

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

to the General Building Ordinance (explanatory sketches for

the measurement and calculation methods according to the Planning and

Building Act [PBG] and the General Building Ordinance

[ABV])

10

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 1.1 Equipment (§ 3 ABV)

Equipment

are ancillary facilities to buildings and installations

Figure 1.2 Installations (§ 4 ABV)

Installations

are technical facilities of buildings and installations

1. 1. 25-127

11

700.2

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 2.1-2.3 Buildings, Minor Buildings and Annexes (§§ 2, 2 a ABV)

Buildings

a

only ancillary floor areas and

limited in dimensions

Annex

a

Building length of the annex or minor building

Minor building

a

Figure 2.4 and 2.5 Underground Structures, Sub-level Structures

(§§ 2 b, 2 c ABV)

12

Stairs

UGF

SLS

SLS

SLS

Façade 1

Façade 2

UGF

SLS

f

Façade line

Upper edge of finished floor

Underground structures

Sub-level structures

permissible extent of protrusion above the

reference or lowered terrain

Proportion above the façade line

Façade 3

f

SLS

Façade 4

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

700.2

Figure 3.1 and 3.2 Façade Alignment and Façade Line (§§ 6, 6 a ABV)

Flat terrain: (Façade line = projected façade line)

insignificantly recessed building part

protruding building part

Sloping terrain: (Façade line ≠ projected façade line)

Façade line

1. 1. 25-127

Reference terrain

Façade alignment

13

700.2

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 3.3 Projected Façade Line (§ 6 b ABV)

Annex

insignificantly

recessed

building part

Building

protruding

building part

projected façade line

14

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 3.4 Protruding Building Parts (§ 6 c ABV)

Annex or

part of the building

protruding

building part

<a

> a

Annex or

part of the building

> b

associated

façade section

associated

façade section

<b

permissible extent for the depth of protruding building parts

permissible extent for the width of protruding building parts

projected façade line

<b

<b

Reference terrain

<b

<b

Façade length

a permissible extent for the depth of protruding building parts

permissible extent for the width of protruding building parts

b

1. 1. 25-127

15

700.2

16

700.2

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 3.5 Recessed and insignificantly recessed

Building Parts (§ 6 d ABV)

a

recessed

building part

> b

FS

>la

a

insignificantly

recessed

building part

<a

< b

FS

a

permissible extent for the depth of insignificantly recessed building parts

b

permissible extent for the width of insignificantly recessed building parts

FS associated façade section

Π

Façade

✓

Façade line

Figure 4.1 and 4.2 Building Length, Building Width (§ 28 ABV)

Building width

Building length

Building

Building width

Building

Façade line

Smallest enclosing rectangle

Building length

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 5.1 Overall Height (§ 281 PBG)

Highest points

of the roof structure

Overall height h

technically required roof structure

Highest points of the

roof structure

Overall height h

lowest point on reference

terrain under the ridge line

Reference terrain

lowest point on reference

terrain under the roof surface

Ridge line

Roof surface area above the lowest part

of the reference terrain

Overall height h

Overall height h

Reference terrain

1. 1. 25-127

700.2

17

700.2

Figure 5.2 Façade Height (§ 278 PBG)

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

gable-side

façade height Fh

for valley façade

eaves-side

façade height Fh

Façade height Fh

for valley façade

Façade height Fh

for side façade

Reference terrain

technically required roof structure

Parapet

gable-side

façade height Fh

Parapet

Façade height Fh

for side façade

Façade height Fh

for valley façade

Reference terrain

Façade line

Façade alignment

Intersection line of façade alignment with

upper edge of roof structure

18

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 5.3 Eaves Height (§ 275 para. 5 PBG)

Intersection point of façade alignment /

upper edge of roof structure

Façade alignment

Upper edge of roof surface

Upper edge of roof structure

700.2

Eaves height

Upper edge of unfinished attic floor

Figure 5.4 Clear Height (§ 304 PBG)

Clear height Floor height

Clear height Floor height

Clear height Floor height

1. 1. 25-127

19

700.2

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 6.1 Storeys and Number of Storeys (§ 276 PBG)

DA

AG

AG

GF

GF

DA Roof superstructures

AG Attic storeys

GF

GF

DG Attic storeys

GF Full storeys

BS Basement storeys

BS

BS

Reference terrain

Reference terrain

DA

AG

2. GF

DA Roof superstructures

3. GF

AG Attic storeys

1. GF

GF Full storeys

2. GF

BS Basement storeys

1. BS

1. GF

2. BS

IL

BS

Reference terrain

IL

20

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 6.2 Basement Storeys (§ 275 para. 3 PBG)

Façade line

a permissible dimension for protruding building parts

b permissible average dimension for

the protrusion of the basement storey

C permissible dimension for basement storeys

Proportion of the storey above the façade line

BS Basement storey

UGF Underground structure

UGF

BS

C

b

BS

BS

b

BS

700.2

1. 1. 25-127

21

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

700.2

Figure 6.3 Attic Storeys (§ 275 para. 2 PBG)

Attic storey

Intersection point of façade alignment /

upper edge of roof structure

Eaves height < b

Eaves height < b

b

permissible dimension for the eaves height of attic storeys

Attic storey

Eaves height < b

b

permissible dimension for the eaves height of attic storeys

Attic storey

Eaves height < b

22

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 6.4 Attic Storeys (§ 275 para. 4 PBG)

700.2

min. h/2

h

min. h/2

Attic storey

Full storey

Full storey

Figure 7.1 Buildable Area and Building Area (§ 7 ABV)

Av

Av

Av

Av

Av;

Av

Av

Building line replaces

the setback requirement

Av Setback requirement

Buildable area

Building area

Building line

P-P Parcel boundary

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700.2

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 7.2–7.4 Setbacks and Setback Areas (§ 260 PBG)

Minor and major boundary setback

A

G

780

Boundary setback

Building setback

Building line replaces

the setback requirement

mG minimum required building setback

minimum required boundary setback

Building line

Façade line

P-P Parcel boundary

minor boundary setback

major boundary setback

minimum required boundary setback

Façade line

Major boundary setback and

Additional length surcharge

minor boundary setback

with additional length surcharge

major boundary setback

minimum required boundary setback

Façade line

24

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 7.5 Terms (§ 260 PBG / §§ 21–26 ABV)

G = Basic setback

ALS = Additional length surcharge

AHS = Additional height surcharge

g = required boundary setback

BL = Basic length according to building code

AL = Additional length

AH = Additional height

F = Façade height

700.2

permissible façade height for

the standard development

1. 1. 25-127

25

700.2

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 7.6 Boundary Setback for Stepped Façades (§§ 21–26 ABV)

ALS1

G

G

Governing building length

BL

BL

AL1

BL

AL2

BL

AL1

> 2 G

ALS1

G

G

G

ALS2

AL1

ALS1

G

26

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

700.2

Figure 7.7 Boundary Setback of a Complex Building Volume

(§§ 21–26 ABV)

Assumptions

G = 6 m on all sides

BL = 15 m

ALS = 1/3 AL, max. ALS = 7 m

1. 1. 25-127

27

700.2

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 7.8 Boundary Setback of a Rounded Building Volume

(§§ 21–26 ABV)

ALS1 G

G

ALS3

AL3

AL2

BL

AL1

ALS2

ALS3

G

Figure 7.9 Boundary Setback

due to additional height

over 12 m

(§ 270 para. 2 PBG)

Figure 7.10 Boundary Setback

due to exceeding

the permissible façade

height (§ 260 PBG)

Boundary

15.00

H

12.00

3.50

6.50

45°

9.60

8.10

3.50

5.00

Boundary

Boundary setback due to additional height =

3.50 m + 3.00 m = 6.50 m

W2

F = 8.10 m

9.60 m 8.10 m = 1.50 m

G = 3.50 m + 1.50 m = 5.00 m

28

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

700.2

Figure 7.11 Boundary, Building, Forest, and Watercourse Setbacks

(§§ 260 et seq. PBG / §§ 21–26 ABV)

Boundary, Building, Forest, and Watercourse Setbacks

Building line

Overlaps

not permissible

Watercourse setback line

according to zoning plan (§ 67 PBG)

Watercourse

Forest setback

Forest setback line

according to zoning plan

forestry law

forest boundary

1. 1. 25-127

29

700.2

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 7.12 Façade Length (§ 260 PBG / § 27 ABV)

>1.30

≤1.30

≤1.30

Governing

façade length

Governing

façade length

30

General Building Ordinance (ABV)

Figure 7.13 Façade Height with Influence of Boundary and Building Line

Setback (§§ 270 and 278 et seq. PBG)17

Profile line of a W5 (max. façade height = 18.00 m)

Building line setback | Building line influence area according to § 280 para. 3

e.g., 9.00

max. 15.00

Building line setback + 1/9 (§ 280 para. 3)

9.0+1.0-10.0

BL.

DG** - Attic/Loft (or Top Floor)

**VG** - Upper Floor (or Standard Floor)

**150m²** - 150m²

**DG** - Attic/Loft (or Top Floor)

**max. 150m²** - max. 150m²

**VG** - Upper Floor (or Standard Floor)

**150m²** - 150m²

**VG** - Upper Floor (or Standard Floor)

**300m²** - 300m²

**UG** - Basement/Cellar (or Lower Ground Floor)

**UG** - Basement/Cellar (or Lower Ground Floor)

**max. 150m² Keller** - max. 150m² cellar/basement

**zulässig 300m² anrechen- bare Wohnfläche (DG und UG nicht anrechenbar)** - permissible 300m² of computable/chargeable living space (attic/loft and basement not computable/chargeable)

**zulässig 300m² anrechen- bare Wohnfläche auf 1 VG (je max. 150m² im DG und UG nicht anrechenbar)** - permissible 300m² of computable/chargeable living space on 1 upper floor (each max. 150m² in the attic/loft and basement not computable/chargeable)

**The Open Space Ratio**

**Calculation of the Open Space Ratio (OSR)**

The Building Volume Index

Calculation of the Building Volume Index (BVI)

Boundary distance due to increased height =

3.50m + 3.00m = 6.50m

W2

2 x 3.30m + 1.50m = 8.10m

9.60m 8.10m 1.50m

G 3.50m + 1.50m = 5.00m

The Distances

Boundary, Building, Forest, and Watercourse Distances

§§ 260ff PBG (Planning and Building Act)

§§ 21-26 ABV (Ordinance on Building Distances)

forestry law

Forest boundary

Forest distance

Forest distance line

according to zone plan

Watercourse

MLZ 2

G

MLZ 3

MLZ 3

ML2

G

GL

G

ML 2

GL

MLZ1

G

GL

ML1

G

GL

G

MLZ 1

MLZ 4

G

ML 4 G

Building line

MLZ 4

G

MLZ 4

ML 5

GL

G

MLZ 4

X

Overlaps

not permissible

MLZ 8

ML 6

MLZ 7

G

MLZ 6

MLZ 5

ML 1

GL

ML 2

ML 3

G

ML 4

GL

GML3

MLZ 2

§67 PBG

(min. 5.00 m

-Watercourse distance line

according to zone plan

(§ 67 PBG)

The facade length

18.00

18.00

18.00

Reference

Terrain

y

y

Central Zone with 5 Storeys (max. facade height = 21.50 m)

Building Line Influence Area

max. 15.00

max. 21.50

BL. 18.00

5

BL. 15.00

4

3

BL. 9.00

2

1

12.00

3.50

Boundary

X

X

Boundary

12.00

3.50

700.2

1. 1. 25-127

31

32

700.2

General Building Ordinance (GBO)

Figure 8.1 Computable Lot Area (§ 259 Building and Planning Act (BPA))

Lot Area

Building Zone

Lot Area within the Building Zone

Lot Area outside the Building Zone

Computable Lot Area

Development Area

Building Area

Setback Areas

House Driveway

Green Areas*

Computable

Open Spaces*

Areas

Primary Development

Gross Development

Fine Development

Partially Computable

Not Computable

* Open spaces and green areas, insofar as they are part of the building zones and are assigned a corresponding

development ratio.

General Building Ordinance (GBO)

Figure 8.2 Floor Area Ratio (§ 255 BPA)

Para. 2: Attic and Basement Storeys

Example: Residential Zone R2: 2 Full Storeys

1 Attic Storey

1 Basement Storey

FAR 30%

1000 m² (computable lot area)

Attic Storey

Full Storey

150 m²

Full Storey

150 m²

Basement Storey

Attic Storey

max. 150 m²

Full Storey

300 m²

Basement Storey

max. 150 m²

Cellar

Permissible 300 m² computable

living area

(Attic Storey and Basement Storey not computable)

Permissible 300 m² computable

living area on 1 Full Storey

(max. 150 m² each in Attic Storey and Basement Storey

not computable)

1. 1. 25-127

700.2

33

700.2

General Building Ordinance (GBO)

Figure 8.3 Building Volume Ratio (§ 258 BPA)

Reference Terrain

Open Building Parts

Figure 8.4 Computable Building Area (§ 256 BPA)

34

Building

Protruding

Building Part

Attached Structure

Insignificant

Recessed

Building Part

Canopy

Small Structure

Building

Canopy

Projected Facade Line

Computable Building Area

a Permissible dimension for protruding building parts

General Building Ordinance (GBO)

Figure 9.1 Roof Structures (§ 292 BPA)

For Pitched Roofs

max. 1/2 L

L

For Flat Roofs

max. 1/2 L

L

1. 1. 25-127

35

700.2

700.2

Appendix 2

Ordinance

General Building Ordinance (GBO)

on the More Detailed Description of the Terms

and Contents of Building Law Institutions

as well as on Measurement and Calculation Methods

(General Building Ordinance)¹

(of June 22, 1977; as of February 28, 2017)

The Government Council decrees

§ 278 Abs

18.00

18.00

18.00

18.00

18.00

Existing Terrain

Profile line of a W5 (max. building height 5 x 3.3 + 1.5 = 18.00 m)

Building line influence area

max. 15.00

max. 21.50

BL. 18.00

BL. 15.00

BL 9.00

BL.

4.00 4.00

2

3

4

5

Central zone with 5 stories (max. building height 5x4.0+1.5=21.50m)

Method of measuring ridge height

max. possible roof shape

Building height

Terrain line

possible roof shapes

Method of measuring knee wall height

0.4m

max. 0.9m (or 1.3m) clear height (finished construction)

§ 279 (2)

A

A'

B

B'

Building height

§275 para. 2 PBG

Ridge height

Permitted Building Height

**45°**

**H1**

**Permitted Building Height**

**H2**

**H1 not permitted, exceeds**

**permitted building height**

**H2 permitted**

**H2**

**45°**

**45°**

**Roof structures**

For Pitched Roofs

max. 1/3 L

L

**For Flat Roofs**

max. 1/3 L

L

**Ridge Boundary Line**