Boundary Walls and Fences in France

1. 1. Is it a Private or Common Wall?
2. 2. Rights Concerning Private Boundary Walls
3. 3. Planning Rules on New Construction
4. 4. Maintenance of Common Boundary Wall
5. 5. Constructing Against Common Boundary Wall
6. 6. Increasing Height of Common Boundary Wall
7. 7. Relinquish Shared Ownership of Wall

6. Increasing the Height of a Common Boundary Wall in France

A property owner has the right to increase the height of a common wall without needing to obtain the consent of their neighbour.

In principle, there are no restrictions on the height to which a wall can be built.

The newly extended part of the wall will belong to the party that has constructed it, who must also assume responsibility for its maintenance.

They are also obliged to compensate their neighbour for any damage that may be caused to plants etc during the construction process.

The wall can be increased in height to the full width of the existing wall or merely to a narrower width but, in all circumstances, it is important to ensure that the existing foundations can carry the additional weight, or reinforcement carried out.

If it is necessary to increase the width of the wall, beyond the existing width, then this increase must be carried out on the property of the owner constructing the boundary.