What are the city planning questions to ask before building a house?

Verified 23 February 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you're going to build a house, it's a good idea to ask about the city planning rules before applying for a building permit.

For to know whether land is constructible, you must consult the MORE: titleContent on the internet or at the city hall.

Who shall I contact

The PLU tells you in which area your land is located:

  • Zone U, Constructible Urban Area
  • Zone AU, area to be urbanized in the longer or shorter term
  • Zone A, no-build agricultural zone
  • Zone N, unconstructible natural and forest area

It also tells you if your land is located in a protected area. These are the approaches to historic monuments, classified or pending sites, nature reserves, the heart of national parks or a future national park. In these sectors, city planning regulations are more restrictive.

It is recommended to ask for a city planning certificate to the town hall.

It informs you about the city planning rules that apply to your land. It informs you about taxes and participations payable, and about possible administrative limitations to the right of property (easements of public utility).

He can tell you if your construction project is feasible on your land.

City planning certificate The person who does it fights the city planning rules and the city planning tax and shareholding for 18 months. If you file a building permit within this period, you are assured that it will be educated according to the same rules and that the tax rate will be the same.

Consultation of the MORE: titleContent provides information on the city planning rules in force:

  • Implementation of construction on the ground
  • Height of construction
  • Building surface on the plot
  • The exterior appearance of the building

The type of permission depends on the area of your project.

House of more than 20 m²

If you build a house of more than 20 m² of floor area orground right-of-way, you must file a building permit in town hall.

You can take your steps on the internet or on a building permit form.

On the Internet

You should check with your city council or its website to find out if it has an online service to complete your application online.

Who shall I contact

Municipalities with more than 3,500 inhabitants have a specific online service for the seizure and deposit of city planning authorizations.

If your municipality has not set it up, you can use an Internet-based support service that guides you through each step of compiling your file.

You can complete and print the DP file using this assistance even if your municipality is not connected to it. From the beginning of the seizure, you will be informed if your municipality is connected.

Support for your city planning authorization request

House of less than 20 m²

If you are building a house of less than 20 m² of floor area orground right-of-way, you must file a preliminary declaration of works (DP) in town hall.

You can completing your RFP on the Internet or using a form.

On the Internet

You should check with your city council or its website to find out if it has an online service to complete your application online.

Who shall I contact

Municipalities with more than 3,500 inhabitants have a specific online service for the seizure and deposit of city planning authorizations.

If your municipality has not set up an online service, you can use an Internet-based support service that guides you through each step of building your file. You can complete and print the DP file using this assistance even if your municipality is not connected to it. From the beginning of the seizure, you will be informed if your municipality is connected.

Support for your city planning authorization request

When the floor area of your construction exceeds 150 m², you will use an architect to develop the plans.

If you build a house to live inHowever, you are not required to comply with the regulations on accessibility for the disabled.

However, houses to be rented, made available or sold shall be constructed and arranged so as to be accessible regardless of disability.

The accessibility requirement relates to exterior wayfinding, housing and parking.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region