Opposing the neighbor
At this point you can already decide whether to oppose the construction project. If you are entitled to challenge the decision or not, it still does not play an important role at this stage.
The competent building authorities verify all the cases of public law: from the data relating to the building project, to the projection of the shadow to the deprivation of light.
Important: It is advisable to inform yourself before making contact with your neighbor
Legal protection is essential
You are allowed to oppose when “the relationship in terms of space between the two sides is sufficiently tight”. In other words, the planned object must not be too far from the opponent’s home.
Secondly, the opponent must demonstrate to what extent the construction license disadvantages it really and considerably compared to others. Even if you are allowed to oppose it is not excluded that the challenge is accepted, in the legal language, that you do not claim a current interest protected legally. Or again, that the practical advantage you would get with an appeal or an objection is not relevant.
The single case is decisive
At the end it is always the single case that is decisive. It is not enough to state that the construction project does not integrate into the surrounding environment, you must be able to show concretely how the building object fits into the local context.
in detail on any costs that they could generate. Judicial, appeal and attorney fees can reach considerable sums. Furthermore, appeals can go for long.
Contest the building permit
Do you want to know if the neighbor has plans to build? Ask the local building authorities about building areas and any land registry plans. To get an idea of the projects in progress, it is advisable to first look at the area bounded by the models. In this way you will get an overview of the volume of the building project. The most important projects must be published in the Official Sheet.
Who regulates neighbors relations?
Neighborhood relations are governed by the Swiss Civil Code (articles 679 and 684) . These provisions mutually limit the freedom of the neighbors, thus allowing harmonious coexistence.
In the construction sector, however, the Swiss Civil Code (CC) has practically no influence whatsoever. Today it is the cantonal and municipal legal systems that act as legal references in the sector. They also include directives such as distances between borders and / or buildings or about the construction of walls or fences.