St Gallen sparks a planning dispute across the whole city

St. Gallen is putting its local planning review out for public consultation from 17 August to 16 October 2026 and opening up digital participation. For property owners, developers and neighbourhoods, this involves far more than just online comments. The negotiations will cover density, building heights, conservation regulations and the scope for urban development well into the 2030s.

This consultation covers the key instruments of future urban development. The draft zoning plan, the building regulations, the conservation orders, the municipal road plan and the planning report are all open for public comment. The city is thus bringing together the rules that will determine future land use, density, building design, open spaces and conservation interests in St. Gallen.

The timetable is crucial for the property sector. Following the first consultation period, which runs until 16 October 2026, any significant changes to the content are to be discussed publicly again in spring 2027. The public consultation on all the documents is scheduled for the end of 2027, with the City Council expected to adopt the resolution by the end of 2029 at the latest. An optional referendum may be held against the enactment.

More flexibility only with higher quality
Inner-city development is at the heart of the revision. Additional residential and commercial space is to be created where existing infrastructure is already in place. At the same time, the city aims to safeguard open spaces, green areas and the character of the townscape. New provisions include planning tools for larger development areas, a differentiated zoning and height model, and incentives for high-quality construction and open space. The aim is to link greater flexibility in land use more closely to specific requirements regarding design and quality of life.

Protection and use to be separated
The planned reorganisation of the regulatory framework is particularly relevant for property owners and project developers. The zoning plan and building regulations are to govern permitted uses and development, whilst provisions for the protection of natural, landscape and cultural heritage will be consolidated into separate protection ordinances. The city hopes this will lead to greater transparency, simpler enforcement and greater legal certainty in proceedings.

Climate targets extend to individual building projects
The revision links urban densification with requirements relating to climate and biodiversity. Plans include safeguarding important open spaces, requirements for ecological compensation, and the targeted protection of valuable trees, hedges and landscape areas. Green roofs and façades may also be given greater consideration in future as a contribution to ecological compensation. For current and future projects, this means that additional development will not be negotiated in isolation from open space and environmental quality.

To support the public consultation process, the city is organising three public information events, which do not require registration: on 18 August 2026 in Winkeln, on 19 August 2026 at the Centrum St. Mangen and on 21 August 2026 in Grossacker. Comments can be submitted via the digital e-participation platform. These will then be analysed in a participation report, which is to be published.