What city planning authorization is required to make a terrace?

Verified 14 February 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

To build a covered or raised terrace, according to its surface area and the location of your land (urban area of the MORE: titleContent(Protected Area), you must file an Advance Work Declaration (AD) or a Building Permit (PC). You are exempt from formality to make a terrace level, except in protected area where an RFP is required. We're presenting the regulations.

In any case, you must respect the rules of the PLU of your commune. To find out about these rules, you must contact the city planning department of your city hall.

Who shall I contact

If the PLU does not provide for special rules, you must build your terrace either at the edge of your property or at least 3 meters from it.

You must also respect a distance between your terrace and the boundary of the nearby ground of 1.9 meters if it leads to a view at home without leaning, and of 0.6 meters when leaning. However, you may decide not to follow these rules with your neighbor's written consent.

An RFP or PC is required depending on whether your construction is in a protected area or not, and in an urban area of a municipality covered by a PLU or not. You can get this information from your city hall.

General case

The city planning authorization varies according to the type of terrace:

Terrace on one level

You are exempt from applying for city planning authorization to build a single-story terrace, that is to say, one that is not raised or very slightly raised.

Elevated terrace

You must file an RFP or PC. The type of city planning authorization depends on the location of your land.

In an urban area of a PLU

The type of city planning authorization depends on the area of your terrace.

Up to 40 m²

A terrace of 40 m² or lessground right-of-way is subject to a DP, because you create a surface and change the exterior appearance.

Depending on whether your project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

You can complete your RFP application using a form:

Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit

In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

More than 40 m²

A terrace is subject to PC when sound ground right-of-way is more than 40 m².

Depending on whether the project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and send your PC file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PC file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

The PC form varies depending on whether the project is a detached house or another type of building:

Detached house
Other type of building
In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

Outside an urban area of a PLU

The type of city planning authorization depends on the area of your terrace:

Up to 20 m²

A terrace of 20 m² or lessground right-of-way is subject to a DP, because you create a surface and change the exterior appearance.

Depending on whether your project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

You can complete your RFP application using a form:

Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit

In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

More than 20 m²

A terrace is subject to PC when sound ground right-of-way is more than 20 m².

Depending on whether the project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and send your PC file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PC file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

The PC form varies depending on whether the project is a detached house or another type of building:

Detached house
Other type of building
In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

Covered terrace

You must file a DP or a PC. The type of city planning authorization depends on the location of your land.

In an urban area of a PLU

The type of city planning authorization depends on the area of your terrace.

Up to 40 m²

A terrace of 40 m² or lessground right-of-way is subject to a DP, because you create a surface and change the exterior appearance.

Depending on whether your project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

You can complete your RFP application using a form:

Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit

In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

More than 40 m²

A terrace is subject to PC when sound ground right-of-way is more than 40 m².

Depending on whether the project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and send your PC file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PC file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

The PC form varies depending on whether the project is a detached house or another type of building:

Detached house
Other type of building
In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

Outside an urban area of a PLU

The type of city planning authorization depends on the area of your terrace:

Up to 20 m²

A terrace of 20 m² or lessground right-of-way is subject to a DP, because you create a surface and change the exterior appearance.

Depending on whether your project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

You can complete your RFP application using a form:

Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit

In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

More than 20 m²

A terrace is subject to PC when sound ground right-of-way is more than 20 m².

Depending on whether the project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and send your PC file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PC file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

The PC form varies depending on whether the project is a detached house or another type of building.

Detached house
Other type of building
In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

Protected area

The city planning authorization varies according to the type of terrace.

Terrace on one level

A terrace on one level in a protected area is subject to DP whatever its surface.

Depending on whether your project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

You can complete your RFP application using a form:

Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit

In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

Elevated terrace

You must file an RFP or PC. The type of city planning authorization depends on the location of your land:

In an urban area of a PLU

The type of city planning authorization depends on the area of your terrace:

Up to 40 m²

A terrace of 40 m² or lessground right-of-way is subject to DP, because you create a surface and change the exterior appearance.

Depending on whether your project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the City Hall or on the spot:

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

You can complete your RFP application using a form:

Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit

In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

More than 40 m²

A terrace is subject to PC when sound ground right-of-way is more than 40 m².

Depending on whether the project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and send your PC file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PC file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

The PC form varies depending on whether the project is a detached house or another type of building.

Detached house
Other type of building
In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

Outside an urban area of a PLU

The type of city planning authorization depends on the area of your terrace:

Up to 20 m²

A terrace of 20 m² or lessground right-of-way is subject to DP, because you create a surface and change the exterior appearance.

Depending on whether your project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

You can complete your RFP application using a form:

Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit

In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

More than 20 m²

A terrace is subject to PC when sound ground right-of-way is more than 20 m².

Depending on whether the project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and send your PC file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PC file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

The PC form varies depending on whether the project is a detached house or another type of building.

Detached house
Other type of building
In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

Covered terrace

You must file an RFP or PC. The type of city planning authorization depends on the location of your land:

In an urban area of a PLU

The type of city planning authorization depends on the area of your terrace:

Up to 40 m²

A terrace of 40 m² or lessground right-of-way is subject to DP, because you create a surface and change the exterior appearance.

Depending on whether your project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

You can complete your RFP application using a form:

Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit

In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

More than 40 m²

A terrace is subject to PC when sound ground right-of-way is more than 40 m².

Depending on whether the project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and send your PC file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PC file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

The PC form varies depending on whether the project is a detached house or another type of building:

Detached house
Other type of building
In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

Outside an urban area of a PLU

The type of city planning authorization depends on the area of your terrace:

Up to 20 m²

A terrace of 20 m² or lessground right-of-way is subject to DP, because you create a surface and change the exterior appearance.

Depending on whether your project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and submit your RFP file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PNR application file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

You can complete your RFP application using a form:

Prior declaration of construction and works not subject to a building permit

In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

More than 20 m²

A terrace is subject to PC when sound ground right-of-way is more than 20 m².

Depending on whether the project is located in Paris or in another municipality, the application must be submitted:

  • By dematerialized means according to the provisions adopted by the municipality (consult the website of the municipality or inquire on the spot)
  • By letter RAR: titleContent
  • In person against receipt signed by the city hall.
Who shall I contact
General case

You must complete and send your PC file by paperless means according to the arrangements made by your municipality or on a paper form.

Inquire on the website of the city hall or on site.

Who shall I contact
On the Internet

You can complete and submit your PC file on the Internet:

Support for your city planning authorization request

Form

The PC form varies depending on whether the project is a detached house or another type of building:

Detached house
Other type of building
In Paris

You must submit your file to the Office Accueil et service à l'user (Basu: titleContent) by dematerialized means only:

Office Accueil et Service à l'User (Basu) de Paris: one-stop-shop

FYI  

Creating a terrace can have an impact on your property taxes. For more information, you can contact your departmental property tax center.

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