When should an architect be used?

Verified 29 October 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

As a general rule, the architect is required to draw up the plans for your building permit. However, in some cases, you may be exempt.

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You're an individual

This is a new construction
It is more than 150 m²

You have to hire an architect when you build a non-agricultural building, such as a detached house, including the floor area is more than 150 m².

It is less than 150 m²

You don't have to hire an architect when you're building a non-agricultural building, such as a detached house, including the floor area is less than or equal to 150 m².

This is the expansion of the existing construction
The construction will be more than 150 m² after the work

When you apply for a building permit to expand an existing building, you are required to hire an architect if the floor area after work exceeds 150 m².

The construction will be less than 150 m² after the work

When you apply for a building permit to expand an existing building, you do not have to hire an architect if the floor area after work is less than or equal to 150 m².

You are a farmer (natural or legal person)

This is a new construction
This is an agricultural building
It will be more than 800 m²

Farmers are required to use an architect for agricultural construction when floor area or the right of way on the ground exceeds 800 m². The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

It will be less than 800 m²

Farmers are not required to use an architect for a construction for agricultural use, including both floor area and the right of way on the ground are less than or equal to 800 m². The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

This is a greenhouse

Farmers are required to use an architect to construct a greenhouse if its dimensions exceed 1 of the following limits:

  • 4 m height of right foot (right vertical upright)
  • 2,000 m² of floor area
  • 2,000 m² right-of-way

The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

This is an expansion of an existing construction
This is an agricultural building
It will be more than 800 m² after work

Farmers are required to use an architect to expand an existing farm construction, if the floor area or the right of way on the ground after work exceeds 800 m². The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

It will be less than 800 m² after work

Farmers are not required to use an architect to expand an existing farm construction if the floor area and the right of way on the ground after work are less than or equal to 800 m².

This is a greenhouse

Farmers are required to use an architect to expand an existing greenhouse if its dimensions after work exceed 1 of the following limits:

  • 4 m height of right foot (right vertical upright)
  • 2,000 m² of floor area
  • 2,000 m² right-of-way

The same is true of farm equipment co-operatives.

You're a corporation

The legal persons need to hire an architect to build their architectural project whatever the construction or works project.

FYI  

You do not need to hire an architect for projects submitted to preliminary declaration of works.

Advice can be obtained free of charge from the following services:

  • Architectural, city planning and Environmental Council (CAUE)
  • Service of the city planning of the municipality where the land is located.
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service

    The informants who answer you belong to the ministry in charge of housing and city planning.

    Cost: free service

    Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.

    The service is available at the following times:

    • Monday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
    • Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
    • Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
    • Thursday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
    • Friday: 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m
    • Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
    • Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
    • Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
    • Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
    • Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15

    Request a call

  • Town Hall
  • Regional Order of Architects