What matters now is no longer the principle, but its implementation. In March 2025, the Jura Parliament enshrined in law that planning applications for projects with construction costs exceeding 150,000 Swiss francs must be drawn up by ‘qualified persons’. However, the law itself does not define who falls under this category. The government has yet to lay down these criteria in an ordinance.
This shifts the actual conflict from the legal issue to regulatory practice. This is crucial for practices without a formal degree in architecture, as the ruling does not automatically exclude them from the market for standard planning applications. According to reports from French-speaking Switzerland, the Federal Supreme Court has expressly stated that access is not restricted from the outset to architects with ETH, FH or REG qualifications, provided the canton avoids distortions of competition.
A threshold with far-reaching implications
The 150,000-franc threshold is a sensitive issue for construction practice in the Jura, as it covers a large proportion of standard planning permission procedures. Even during the parliamentary debate in February 2025, it was a matter of controversy whether such applications could continue to be submitted by virtually anyone, or whether the canton should make access to the process more professional. Parliament went further than the government on this point and extended the requirement for qualified persons to larger building applications.
Government under pressure
For the cantonal government, the ordinance is a balancing act. It must ensure the higher standards of quality and safety in building applications demanded by parliament, but, according to the Federal Supreme Court, must not unnecessarily restrict the market. Particularly in the case of specialised planning tasks, such as agricultural construction, the recognition of professional experience, further training or examinations could therefore prove decisive.
Transitional period likely to buy time
The government has already announced that it will draw up the implementing provisions in the coming months and is expected to provide for a transitional period. For building owners, planning offices and local authorities, it therefore remains unclear when the new qualification requirement will actually come into effect in the planning permission process, and how narrowly or broadly the canton will ultimately define the group of authorised professionals.
