Valais: new rules for subsidies to municipal land-use plans
Advance payments of up to 50 % of the subsidy, support halved if the plan is rejected or annulled: on 14 October 2026 the Council of State amended its regulation on spatial planning support measures. These subsidies are intended for municipalities, not owners.
In forceIn force since 1 October 2026.
What changes
- For the full revision of zoning plans and municipal building and zoning regulations, advance payments of up to 50 % of the allocated subsidy may be made for work carried out, once the municipality has received the report of the cantonal service responsible for spatial planning on the preliminary opinion. No advance payment for a partial amendment of these plans and regulations, nor for municipal and inter-municipal structure plans and special land-use plans.
- The financial contribution is halved if the plan is rejected by the municipal legislature or in a popular vote, not approved, annulled on appeal by the Council of State, or overturned by a court.
- A supplementary application filed after a subsidy has been allocated is accepted only with terms of reference drawn up by the municipality and submitted to the cantonal service responsible for spatial planning.
- The amendment of 14 October 2026 entered into force on 1 October 2026.
Who it concerns
- MunicipalitiesValais municipalities revising their land-use plans: these rules on advance payments and halving have applied since 1 October 2026.
- Architects and buildersPlanning firms working for a municipality: a supplementary application after the allocation requires terms of reference drawn up by the municipality.
The official text
« Pour les dossiers de révision globale des plans d’affectation de zones et des règlements communaux de constructions et des zones, des acomptes peuvent être versés jusqu'à concurrence de 50 pour cent de la subvention allouée pour des travaux effectués »
« En cas de refus par l'organe législatif communal ou par votation populaire, de non homologation ou d’annulation sur recours par le Conseil d'Etat ou encore de rejet par une instance judiciaire, la participation financière sera réduite de moitié »
« Le présent acte législatif entre en vigueur le 1er octobre 2026 »
What we do not know yet
- The entry into force (1 October 2026) precedes the date of the amendment (14 October 2026): the published text does not explain why.
- A new article is titled “Demolition bonus”, but its published content concerns the compensation fund: the link is not explained.