2. National Land Planning Framework in France

1. 2.1. National Regulations
2. 2.2. Regional Plans

2.1. National French Planning Regulations - Règlement Nationale d’Urbanisme (RNU)

The main body of national rules governing new development and changes to existing buildings are called Les dispositions imperatives du règlement nationale d’urbanisme (RNU).

Whilst a small number of RNU have national authority and apply in all circumstances, where a local plan is in place, then the local rules take precedence.

As a general rule, in the absence of local plan, the RNU forbids new building outside built-up areas, except those relating to changes to existing buildings or agricultural nature.

There are particular national rules called Les Lois d’aménagement et d’urbanisme (LAU) which apply in coastal areas and in mountain regions.

The LAU are the most powerful of the planning regulations and cannot be overruled in any circumstances, including local plans.

Next down the league table, and which benefit from being incontestable, are regional directives called Les directives territoriales d’aménagement (DTA). Although they may be regionally based, these directives are more often determined by central government. They have a long term timescale.

The final set of national regulations are called Les directives paysages or Directives de protection et de mise en valeur des paysages.

The regulations concern mainly planting requirements, the volume and height of buildings and external aspects of the development.

They have influential authority in the determination of planning applications.