Building and Renovation in France

French Planning System
- 1. Introduction
- 2. National Planning Framework
- 3. Local Plans
- 4. Planning Advice Certificates
- 5. Planning Permission
- 6. Planning Application
- 7. Challenging a Planning Decision
- 8. Works Declaration
- 9. Demolition Permit
- 10. Starting on Site
- 11. Completion Notice
- 12. Planning Taxes

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4. Planning Advice Certificates in France

4.1. Status of a Certificat d'Urbanisme

A certifcat d’urbanisme is a planning advice certificate issued by the mairie or Direction Départementale de l’Equipement (DDE), which gives general planning information on a particular site.

It may be best described as an 'in principle' planning consent, but it is most definitely not planning permission for a particular project, for which specific planning consent must be sought.

Top Tip!

If you are buying land on which to build, convert a building, undertake major renovation or redevelopment of a property, you should make purchase completion subject to satisfactory receipt of a planning certificate.

The certificate will advise you whether there exists a right to build on the land and under what conditions - the planning rules and limitations of use on the site.

Next: Types of Certificat d'Urbanisme

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