France

TIPS

• Consultants fees for health & safety, fire security and building control need to be taken into account. Construction cost is typically higher compared to Southern European countries.
• Take into account construction sector holidays.
• Consider whether or not a building is located in a conservation area as this may affect application times.
• Take into account that a signed agreement is required for works on a co-owned property.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Submissions are required from a local architect and relevant specialist consultants.
• The overall approval period is not usually any shorter for mall locations however, malls only require a fit-out permit which usually takes up to 16 weeks for approval.
• In Paris, there is the possibility of a Déclaration Préalable (DP) with a reduced duration of 4 weeks. This can extend to 8 weeks if the Architecte des Bâtiments de France (ABF) are involved.
• A permit is also required for any signage that features on the façade of a building and this can take up to 8 weeks to be approved. The dimensions and colours permitted differ for city to city and in some cases, from street to street. Therefore, it’s important for architects to check local requirements.
• As of January 2021, you can now submit Permis de Construire (PC), DP and signage permits via the internet which is much better for the environment and also saves on time.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

The previous info is intended as broad guidance – every site varies. Contact Carole for tailored permitting advice relating to France.