The Federal Register of Buildings and Dwellings (RegBL) was originally created on the basis of data from the 2000 Population Census for statistical purposes. Since then, it has developed into the standard national information system for buildings and dwellings in Switzerland, in particular following the total revision of the corresponding ordinance, which entered into force on 1 July 2017. The RegBL contains information on construction projects, buildings, dwellings, entrances, and streets. Each building is identified by a Federal Building Identifier (EGID), and each dwelling by a Federal Dwelling Identifier (EWID); additional details are described in the official attribute catalogue (Merkmalskatalog)[3].
At the building level, the RegBL provides a range of structural and legal attributes that are relevant for statistical analysis, planning, and property-related assessments. These include a unique object identifier, which allows buildings to be cross-referenced with other federal and cantonal datasets, as well as physical characteristics such as the building footprint area (ground surface in square meters) and the building volume, calculated according to standards of the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA). The register further distinguishes the object type (for example residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use) and records the number of floors above ground, both of which are relevant for density calculations and regulatory purposes. In addition, the RegBL indicates whether a building is subject to a Baurecht (building right / leasehold) arrangement, a legal construct under Swiss law where land ownership and building ownership are separated for a defined period.
The RegBL data model follows a clearly structured entity hierarchy, linking buildings to dwellings, entrances, streets, and construction projects. This structure enables consistent aggregation and comparison across municipalities, cantons, and the national level, while allowing updates to be maintained close to the source by the responsible authorities [4].
The RegBL database is continuously updated. Nevertheless, inconsistencies may occur, for example where data does not fully correspond to the current situation or contains entry errors. The FSO maintains a FAQ addressing common questions related to data quality and explaining how such cases can be reported or corrected.