What authorization should I give to make a terrace?
Verified 14 February 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Want to build a terrace? In some cases, you need to request a city planning authorization. We're presenting the regulations.
To know which city planning authorization to deposit, you need to know whether or not you are in an urban area of a commune covered by a MORE: titleContent or a Land Use Plan (SOP). You should also check if your land is located in a protected area.
You can get this information from your city hall.
The sectors protected are:
- Remarkable heritage sites
- Historical monuments approaches
- Site that is ranked or pending ranking
- Natural reserves
- Areas to be classified in the heart of a future national park
- Heart of the national parks
General case
The choice of authorization depends on the type of terrace and/or its surface area.
Terrace on one level
You don't needno city planning authorization to build a ground-level terrace, i.e. non-elevated or very slightly elevated.
Warning
Your project must comply with the MORE: titleContent, even if it is not subject to authorization. Before starting your work, you must consult the PLU or the city planning document in lieu in town hall.
Elevated terrace
The choice of city planning authorization depends on the situation of your land and the surface of your building.
In an urban area of a municipality covered by a PLU or equivalent document
You can create up to 40 m² terrace with a preliminary declaration of works.
If the area of your terrace is more than 40 m², you have to ask for a building permit.
In a municipality not covered by a local city planning plan
If the surface of your terrace is more than 5 m² and that she is less than or equal to 20 m², you must file a preliminary declaration of works.
If the surface of your terrace is more than 20 m², you must file a building permit.
Protected area
Terrace on one level
One preliminary declaration of works is mandatory for a single-story terrace regardless of its surface.
Elevated terrace
The choice of city planning authorization depends on the situation of your land and the surface of your building.
In an urban area of a municipality covered by a PLU or equivalent document
You can create up to 40 m² terrace with a preliminary declaration of works.
If the surface of your terrace is more than 40 m², you have to ask for a building permit.
In a municipality not covered by a local city planning plan
The surface of your terrace is more than 5 m² and she's less than or equal to 20 m², you must file a preliminary declaration of works.
If the surface of your terrace is more than 20 m², you must file a building permit.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For information on city planning regulations and administrative procedures
Telephone administrative information - Allo Public ServiceThe 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
For information on your local city planning plan or advance declaration file
Town Hall
- City planning Code: Articles R*421-17Work subject to prior declaration
- City planning Code: Articles L421-1 to L421-9Work subject to building permits
- City planning Code: Articles R421-14Work subject to building permits
- City planning code: Articles R*421-2 to R*421-8-2Terrace (R*421-2)
- Support for your city planning authorization request
Online service
- Prior declaration for a detached house and/or its annexes - DPMI
Form
- Prior notification (construction, works, installations and facilities not subject to a building permit)
Form
- Application for a building permit for a detached house and/or its annexes (CMIP)
Form
- Application for a building permit (other than for a detached house or its annexes)
Form
- Declaration of completion and conformity of works
Form
FAQ
- Advance Work Declaration (PNR)Service-Public.fr
- Building permitsService-Public.fr
- Viewing city planning Permission in the FieldService-Public.fr
- Declaration of the opening of the construction siteService-Public.fr
- Declaration of Completion and Conformity of Work (ACCED)Service-Public.fr