Do you need a city planning authorization to install solar panels on the ground?
Verified 03 January 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister), Ministry of city planning
Yes, you have a city planning permit to apply for in town hall for most of the facilities.
The power, height from the ground, and location of your project determine the type of authorization. We present your regulatory obligations according to these different criteria.
The authorization to be filed is different in protected sites (a remarkable heritage site,on the edge of a historic monument, classified site,nature reserves, areas intended to be classified in the heart of a future national park, delimited national parks).
To find out if your land is in one of these areas, contact your local council:
General case
The city planning authorization to be deposited in town hall varies according to the power of your installation:
Up to 1000Kw, you have to make a preliminary declaration of works.
Above 1000kw, you must request a building permit.
Please note
The installation of solar panels with a power of less than 3 Kw and a height above the ground limited to 1.80 m is exempt from formality.
Protected area
The city planning authorization to be deposited in town hall varies according to the power of your installation:
- If it is less than 3 kW, you must deposit a preliminary declaration of works.
- From 3 kW, you must request a building permit.
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
- Town Hall
- City planning code: Articles R*421-2 to R*421-8-2New buildings exempt from city planning authorization
- City planning code: article R421-11On city planning permissions for secure sites
- City planning Code: Articles R421-9 to R*421-12RFPs for power generation works
- Decree of 19 November 2009 on administrative procedures applicable to certain electricity generating works
- Advance Work Declaration (PNR)Service-Public.fr
- Viewing city planning Permission in the FieldService-Public.fr