If you are proposing any significant building works to your French property the chances are that you will need consent from the local council to carry it out.
Major external building works will almost inevitably require consent, for which you will need to submit a planning application.
However, even where full planning consent is not required you may well need to submit a works declaration, called a déclaration préalable de travaux.
Below are works that are subject to a works declaration:
Volume
New construction where the footprint or internal floor area is greater than 5m² and which has:
A height above the ground less than or equal to 12 meters, and;
A footprint of 20 square metres or less, and;
A total floor area of 20 square metres or less.
The 20-metre rule is increased to 40 square metres where the commune has an approved local plan and where the property is in an urban zone (“zone U”).
New construction work which has a height above the ground of twelve metres, a footprint of 5 square metres or less and a floor area of 5 square metres or less also requires a works declaration.
Boundary Walls
Construction work on a wall whose height above the ground is greater than 2 metres, although this height limit may vary from one commune to another.
Light Leisure Dwellings
The installation of light leisure dwellings ('HLLs'), defined as those structures with a floor area of less than 35m².
Swimming Pool
The construction work of a swimming pool is subject to prior authorisation when the area of the pool is greater than 10 square metres and less than or equal to one hundred square meters and provided the pool has no fixed covering structure (ie, within some form of building, or sliding above-ground panels).
If the pool is covered and if the fixed or mobile cover does not have a height greater than 1.80 metre, the construction work of the pool and the roof requires a declaration.
Greenhouses
Greenhouses whose height above the ground is between 1.80 metres and 4 metres.
Solar Energy
For ground fixed production facilities of less than 3Kw, if its height is not more than 1.80 metres.
For an installation with a production of 3Kw a works declaration is required in all cases.
Solar panels fitted to the roof of a building also require a works declaration.
Land Filling
Major excavation of land or raising of land levels.
External Rendering (and/or changes to paint colour)
Where the property is situated in a protected area, or it is near an historic monument, or the local plan specifies it.
Indeed, if you live in an area of outstanding natural beauty or within 500 metres of an historic monument, the regulations are tighter and in all such cases you need to consult your local council or a professional.
Openings in Buildings
Creation of any openings in a building
Trees and Hedgerows
Cutting or lopping of trees in woods, parks or forests that might be prescribed in a local plan. This might also apply to protected hedgerows.
Arthur Cutler, of French planning consultancy French Plans comments that: "The process for a works declaration may be less than is required for a planning application, but it is still substantial. The application can also still be refused."
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