How to Apply for a Building Permit in France

To be allowed to start a new construction site or transformation of your French property and/or ANY of its annexes (outbuilding, barn, garage, pool, veranda, garden shed, etc.), you must first obtain a building permit from the local authorities.

Anyone who has bought property in France and is considering taking on a building or renovation project will know that the bureaucracy and seemingly ever-changing regulations can make the process more complicated than it ought to be. Welcome to France! Here’s some information and tips to help you get started with your project.

Does your Project Require a Permit?

First of all, you must ensure that your project requires such a building permit; this is compulsory for projects with new construction with a gross floor area (called Shob) greater than 20 sq. metres, when the use of a building is changed, or for modifications to load-bearing structures or the facade of the building.

Additionally, the town planning code lists works that require a building permit (Article R.421-1). Note that even a barn or hangar, with no foundations it is not exempt from a permit. If you have a property in mind or have already viewed it, ask your agent and the owners as well, before contacting the Mairie.

How to Apply for a Building Permit in France?

If your project requires a building permit, you will need to complete the Cerfa form 13406*01, “Application for a Building Permit for a detached house and/or its annexes”.

Note that if the operation involves demolitions, you will not need to apply for a demolition permit; this form will suffice. This form is available at the town hall and can be downloaded from the Service-Public portal. If your project or property is on a classified site, a registered site or a nature reserve, you must produce additional details.

Preparing your Permit Application

You must attach various documents to your request and must provide the following eight documents:

• site plan of where the property is located or a cadastral plan
• ground plan of the dwellings to be built or modified in three dimensions
• cross-sectional plan of the land and of the dwelling, and details if the landscaping is changed/altered
• notice describing the land and your overall project
• drawings of the facades and roofs
• graphic document showing integration of the project into its environment
• image showing the land in its immediate environment
• image showing the land and property from a distance in the landscape.

Although you are not required by law to appoint an architect, we recommend consulting with your agent and considering hiring a local architect. They can assist with planning and preparing your application and typically offer a fixed price to cover the preparation and submission process.

Submitting your Request

The building permit application must be submitted to the town hall of the commune where the property is located. You can also send it by registered letter with proof of receipt (this is called a ‘Lettre Recommandée avec Avis de Reception). The town hall will issue you a receipt confirming the submission date and registration number.

Within 15 days, your planning request will be published at the town hall, where it will remain for approximately the duration of the investigation. two months. If you have not received anything within this period, you’ll be pleased to know that you have a permit in principle for your project (a certificate indicating the date of obtaining this permit will be issued to you on request). It’s highly likely that the town hall will write to you to confirm their favourable decision.

In the month following the submission of your file, the town hall/mairie can also send you a letter:

• to notify you that a document(s) is missing from your file.
• to notify you that an extension period applies to allow the necessary consultations
• to ask you for minor changes. These prescriptions must be explained, and you must adhere to them.

The town hall can refuse to grant the permit, or postpone its decision and pronounce a delay. This often happens when planning rules are being changed; the reasons and the new deadline will be written in their letter.

Finally, if you already have a valid building permit and want to make some (minor) changes to your project, then you must apply for a modification permit using the Cerfa form n ° 13411 * 01.

Before you Start the Work

Once the permit has been granted (in writing or tacitly), there are still formalities to complete before starting work on the project. You must send the Maire (mayor) a declaration of the opening of the site in three copies.

On-site, you must display the application with the town hall stamp and install a sign visible from the public road describing your project. This signage must remain there for the duration of the work. There are models available on the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport, and Housing’s website. The town hall must display your permit within 8 days of its issuance, and for at least 2 months. During this period, it may be contested by third parties.

Keep your Building License Up to Date

The building permit is valid for 2 years. If you do not start the work within this period or if your work is interrupted for more than a year, your permit will lapse. You will then have to reapply for a permit at the town hall.

It is possible to extend it for one year, provided that the town planning rules have not changed unfavourably towards your project. To obtain an extension of your license, you must submit an application to the town hall in duplicate or send it by recorded delivery at least two months before the expiry of the validity period of your license. If you do not receive a response within two months, you may consider your license valid for an additional year.

It’s essential to note that a building permit can only be extended once, so take your time and use the services of reputable builders, artisans, and architects. This will make your life a lot easier and your project more affordable. To further your budget, we recommend investigating whether you can save on foreign currency transfers. Our experts are here to help every step of the way.

For more information, learn about Local Planning Rules in France (PLU), read our buying guide and register to receive property alerts based on your criteria.