Selling property in Wattwil: old houses, new zoning rules

Official statistics on prices paid are missing for Wattwil. The Canton of St. Gallen does not collect them by municipality, unlike the Canton of Zurich. Listing figures for Wattwil show what is asked, not what was paid.

What is on record is the stock: Wattwil has 2,034 buildings with residential use in the Toggenburg constituency. 1,075 of them are single-family houses, or 52.9%. The cantonal figure is 59.2%. Wattwil ranks 10 of 10 in the Toggenburg constituency. In total, Wattwil has 4,693 dwellings. 73.2% were built before 1981, against 58.9% in the canton. 24.5 hectares of 285.2 hectares of building zone are undeveloped, or 8.6% (as of 2022). For the share of undeveloped zone, Wattwil ranks 14 of 75 in the canton.

The price of your house in Wattwil depends on location, plot and building, measured against similar sales. The free assessment gives you a written price range with its reasoning.

The municipal council enacted a framework plan with a zoning map and building code on 6 May 2025 and put it on public display.¹⁴ Several objections were lodged, and the municipality met some of the requests. Public consultation on these changes ran from 27 February to 18 March 2026. The amended documents then went on display again from 26 May to 24 June 2026.¹⁴

Since 2010, Wattwil has also been developing its «Zentrum Süd» by the station. The canton approved the Bahnhof Süd design plan in June 2017, when it became legally binding. The building permit followed in January 2018.¹⁵ The development has room for around 15 shops, practices and eateries, plus 75 rental flats.¹⁵

For sellers in Wattwil, both matter. The new zoning will decide what may be built once it applies. In addition, 73.2% of buildings with residential use date from before 1981. That is rank 5 of 75 municipalities in the canton.

In Wattwil, 1,488 of 2,034 buildings with residential use date from before 1981. That is 73.2%. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 5, counting from the highest share. In the Toggenburg constituency: rank 3 of 10. Wattwil therefore has a higher share than the canton at 58.9%. Compared with Wattwil, the figure in Kirchberg (SG) is 56.0%.

In Wattwil, oil or gas heats 1,033 buildings with residential use, 50.8%, against 50.0% in the canton. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 32, counting from the highest share. For many owners in Wattwil, the heating is therefore a topic.

Anyone selling in Wattwil adds records of heating, roof and windows to the sale documents. From 1 January 2029, owners living in their home in Wattwil lose the imputed rental value and the maintenance deduction.¹ The calculation before a renovation is in Renovate or sell.

Wattwil has 9,262 residents. 2,150 of them, 23.2%, are 65 or older, against 19.9% in the canton. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 9, counting from the highest share. In the Toggenburg constituency: rank 4 of 10. Compared with Wattwil, the figure in Kirchberg (SG) is 18.2%.

On 1 June 2026, 24 homes in Wattwil were empty, 0.51% of the stock, against 1.16% in the canton. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 21, counting from the lowest vacancy. In Wattwil, rented and owned homes are counted; the figure does not show how many houses are for sale.

The municipal tax rate of Wattwil is 129%. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 64, counting from the lowest tax rate. How Wattwil compares for the same income and wealth is shown in the municipality atlas. By public transport, Zurich HB is 63 minutes away from the Wattwil stop, with 1 change.

The canton taxes the gain on sale, price minus costs, on a progressive scale.² After more than 15 years of ownership, the tax falls yearly, by up to 40.5% if you lived there 15 years or more.² This applies to the gain up to CHF 500,000; otherwise the cap is 20%.² Within 5 years, the tax rises.²

Selling a home you lived in permanently and exclusively can defer all or part of the tax.³ You buy a similarly used home in Switzerland from 1 year before to 3 years after the sale.⁴ Deferred does not mean waived.³

The buyer owes a 1% transfer tax (Handänderungssteuer) on the price.⁵ The seller is jointly liable; between parents and children, half the rate applies.⁵

The municipal land registry where the property lies notarises the sale contract.⁶ The registry fee is 0.2% up to CHF 2 million, 0.05% above.⁷ If the land registry also notarises the contract, the fee doubles.⁷