9. French Demolition Permit - Permis de démolir

A demolition permit (permis de démolir) is only required in conservation areas, or to demolition work on a protected building (monument historique).

On a discretionary basis, local councils also have the power to impose this requirement outside of protected buildings, but this does not normally occur.

If you are submitting an application for planning consent for a project where demolition is included, then there is no need to make a separate application for a demolition permit, as the request can be made as part of the planning application.

You should make enquiries of your mairie or the DDE too see if an application is necessary.

An application for a demolition permit can be downloaded at Demolition Permit.

There are various documents you will need to submit with the application, and further information can be obtained from the same source.

The publicity and notice requirements in relation to the demolition permit are the same as those for the déclaration de travaux , to which you should refer.

The planning authority has two months to give a decision.

A demolition permit can be granted with conditions, or granted tacitly if the planning authority does no reply within two months. Even though there may be a tacit consent, you would be well advised to obtain a specific letter granting consent.