City planning: how long is an authorization valid?
Verified 30 May 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
General case
The building permit, to arrange, to demolish or the preliminary declaration of works have a period of validity of 3 years.
The authorization expires if you have not started the work within 3 years or if, after this period, you interrupt it for more than 1 year.
This 3-year period shall start from notification of the decision of the mayor's office. It is sent to you by registered mail (or by electronic mail if you have accepted it in the permit application form).
Depending on the method of transmission of the notification, the period of validity of your authorization shall start on the following date:
- 1re presentation of registered mail
- The day following the date of dispatch of the notification by electronic means
Without a written response from the City Hall, the validity period is calculated from the initial filing date of the application. These provisions apply to non-opposition to an advance declaration when it concerns work.
You can ask for the extension your permission if you cannot start work within 3 years. The authorization may be extended 2 times for 1 year.
Please note
the request for an extension concerns only city planning authorizations valid. It is granted only if the city planning and administrative easements stay the same.
The request must be made by mail in 2 copies.
It must be sent at least 2 months before the end of the validity period (or before the end of your 1re request for extension).
The letter must be sent by registered letter with notice of receipt or deposited in the town hall.
The city council has 2 months to submit its response. If she has not replied to you within 2 months, your request for an extension is accepted.
Production of renewable energy (wind, solar panels...)
The period of validity of a city planning authorization shall be 3 years for energy works using any of the renewable energy sources.
The city planning authorization shall lapse if the work has not been put into service within three years except in cases of force majeure.
Depending on the mode of transmission of the notification, the period of validity of your authorization shall start on the following date:
- 1re presentation of registered mail
- The day following the date of dispatch of the notification by electronic means
Without a written response from the City Hall, the validity period is calculated from the initial filing date of the application. These provisions apply to prior notification when it concerns works.
You may request an extension of your authorization which may be renewed annually, up to a maximum of 10 years from the date of issue of the authorization (including the initial period of 3 years).
Please note
The request for an extension relates only to city planning authorizations valid. It is granted only if the city planning and administrative easements stay the same.
The request must be made by mail in 2 copies.
It must be sent at least 2 months before the end of the validity period (or before the end of your 1re request for extension).
In your mail, you must demonstrate that you cannot activate your installation within 3 years for reasons beyond your control.
The letter must be sent by registered letter with notice of receipt or deposited in the town hall.
The city council has 2 months to submit its response. If she has not replied to you within 2 months, your request for an extension is accepted.
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 16h15
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
- Town Hall
Expiry of city planning authorization
Extension of validity period (general case)
Extension of the period of validity (Renewable energy production works)
Notification by registered route
Notification by electronic means