St. Gallen trims its construction processes

Building in the canton of St. Gallen requires strong nerves. The government now wants to streamline the procedures, above all with digital processes and better coordination. However, it can hardly do anything about the sensitive issue of objection and appeal rights.

The canton is working on a collective bill for electronic administrative procedures, with a focus on the digital planning and building permit procedure. Applications, rulings, decisions and access to files should increasingly be processed electronically, and this should even be mandatory for authorities and professionals.

Political pressure from the cantonal council
The Centre-EPP parliamentary group criticizes the fact that objections and appeals block construction projects for “far too long” and has called on the cantonal government to take specific measures to speed up the process. The pre-advisory committee is also calling for clearer deadlines and a stronger role for the cantonal coordination office in the building permit process.

Digitalization as a lever, not a magic bullet
St. Gallen has been trying to digitalize building permits for several years, but had to change IT suppliers and postpone the rollout. Nevertheless, the e-building permit is seen as a key instrument for shortening processing times and avoiding duplication.

Limits in dealing with objections
The political debate is also focusing on allegedly abusive objections. The government recognizes the problem, but rejects a register of names of objectors for reasons of data protection and the rule of law.

What this means for building owners
The procedures will remain strong in terms of legal protection, but will become more efficient in technical and organizational terms. Anyone building will still have to reckon with objections, but in the medium term will be able to plan better thanks to more digital processes and clearer procedures.