What are the rules for settling a jacuzzi on your terrace or in your garden?
Verified 05 June 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
To settle a jacuzzi (whirlpool or whirlpool, bubble pool, spa) on your terrace or in your garden, you must comply with city planning, neighborhood and security regulations. We present you the regulations that are different if you settle your jacuzzi in a temporary or permanent. The rules are the same whether your jacuzzi is inflatable or not.
Temporary Jacuzzi
You do not have to apply for city planning authorization to settle a temporary jacuzzi.
In any case, you must consult the local urban plan (PLU) of your municipality. It can provide specific rules on the implementation of your project in relation to neighboring properties. To know these rules, you must contact the city planning department of your town hall (or the Basu: titleContent for Paris).
If the PLU does not provide for special rules, you must place your installation or construction either on the edge of your property or at least 3 meters from it.
In addition, you must not not cause abnormal neighborhood disorder. For example, the noise caused by your installation or its users should not be a nuisance to your neighbor because of its duration, repetition or intensity. Excessive moisture should not lead to degradation on a partition wall that is adjacent to or owned by your neighbor.
You need to check if the condominium rules lays down special rules to be complied with and/or authorizes the installation of a jacuzzi. It must comply with the destination of the building.
In any case, if it affects the common areas or the exterior appearance of the building, you must request the authorization of thegeneral meeting of co-owners. It must be voted on at the absolute majority.
If you are a tenant and simply put your jacuzzi on the floor, you do not have permission to ask.
However, if you are doing work to settle your jacuzzi (for example, creating a slab or disbursing to settle a buried or semi-buried jacuzzi), you must request permission by letter RAR: titleContent to your owner.
If you do work without the consent of your owner, he may require the restoration of the premises, at your expense, upon your final departure.
If you simply put your inflatable or removable jacuzzi on the floor, you do not have to settle a safety device.
However, if your Jacuzzi is buried or semi-buried, you must comply with the rules applicable to the swimming pool safety. In this case, you must settle yourself or have a professional settle one of the following safety devices:
- Protective barrier
- Alarm
- Security Cover
- Shelter.
Installing a temporary hot tub can affect your property taxes.
For more information, you can contact your departmental property tax center.
The installation of a temporary jacuzzi is however not subject to the development tax.
Permanent Jacuzzi
To settle a jacuzzi with or without foundations, a city planning authorization (prior declaration or building permit) is necessary in some cases. The rules are the same as for theinstallation of a swimming pool.
The city planning authorization to apply for depends on the surface area of your jacuzzi pool:
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Pool up to 10 m²
The rules differ depending on whether your home is in protected area or not:
General case
The installation of a jacuzzi with a pool area up to 10 m² outside protected area is exempt from formality.
Protected Area
To settle a Jacuzzi with a pool area of less than or equal to 10 m² protected area, you have to make a prior declaration (PNR).
The way to submit your application is different depending on your municipality:
General case
You can submit your application:
- By dematerialized means according to the arrangements made by the municipality (consult the website of the town hall or inquire on the spot)
- By letter RAR: titleContent
- In person against receipt signed by the town hall.
You can complete and submit your RFP application on the Internet:
You can complete your RFP application using a form:
Prior declaration of constructions and works not subject to building permits
In Paris
You must submit your file to the Reception and User Service Office (Basu: titleContent) only by dematerialized means:
Reception and user service office (Basu) in Paris: electronic one-stop shop
Pool of more than 10 m²
The city planning authorization to apply for depends on the coverage height or not of your jacuzzi:
Without cover or with cover less than 1.80 m high
To settle a Jacuzzi with a pool area greater than 10 m² without cover or with cover, stationary or mobile, less than 1.80 m high, you must make a prior declaration (PNR).
The way to submit your application is different depending on your municipality:
General case
You can submit your application:
- By dematerialized means according to the arrangements made by the municipality (consult the website of the town hall or inquire on the spot)
- By letter RAR: titleContent
- In person against receipt signed by the town hall.
You can complete and submit your RFP application on the Internet:
You can complete your RFP application using a form:
Prior declaration of constructions and works not subject to building permits
In Paris
You must submit your file to the Reception and User Service Office (Basu: titleContent) only by dematerialized means:
Reception and user service office (Basu) in Paris: electronic one-stop shop
With cover of 1.80 m or more in height
To settle a Jacuzzi with a pool area greater than 10 m² with a cover, stationary or mobile, of 1.80 m or more in height, you must make a request for building permit (PC).
The way to submit your application is different depending on your municipality:
General case
You can submit your application:
- By dematerialized means according to the arrangements made by the municipality (consult the website of the town hall or inquire on the spot)
- By letter RAR: titleContent
- In person against receipt signed by the town hall.
You can complete and submit your PC application file on the Internet:
The CP form varies depending on whether the project involves a single-family home or another type of building:
You can complete your PC application using a form:
Application for a building permit for a detached house and/or its annexes (PCMI)
You can complete your PC application using a form:
Application for a building permit (other than for a detached house or its annexes)
In Paris
You must submit your file to the Reception and User Service Office (Basu: titleContent) only by dematerialized means:
Reception and user service office (Basu) in Paris: electronic one-stop shop
In any case, you must consult the local urban plan (PLU) of your municipality. It can provide specific rules on the implementation of your project in relation to neighboring properties. To know these rules, you must contact the city planning department of your town hall (or the Basu: titleContent for Paris).
If the PLU does not provide for special rules, you must place your installation or construction either on the edge of your property or at least 3 meters from it.
In addition, you must not not cause abnormal neighborhood disorder. For example, the noise caused by your installation or its users should not be a nuisance to your neighbor because of its duration, repetition or intensity. Excessive moisture should not lead to degradation on a partition wall that is adjacent to or owned by your neighbor.
You need to check if the condominium rules lays down special rules to be complied with and/or authorizes the installation of a jacuzzi. It must comply with the destination of the building.
In any case, if it affects the common areas or the exterior appearance of the building, you must request the authorization of thegeneral meeting of co-owners. It must be voted on at the absolute majority.
If you are a tenant and simply put your jacuzzi on the floor, you do not have permission to ask.
However, if you are doing work to settle your jacuzzi (for example, creating a slab or disbursing to settle a buried or semi-buried jacuzzi), you must request permission by letter RAR: titleContent to your owner.
If you do work without the consent of your owner, he may require the restoration of the premises, at your expense, upon your final departure.
If you simply put your inflatable or removable jacuzzi on the floor, you do not have to settle a safety device.
However, if your Jacuzzi is buried or semi-buried, you must comply with the rules applicable to the swimming pool safety. In this case, you must settle yourself or have a professional settle one of the following safety devices:
- Protective barrier
- Alarm
- Security Cover
- Shelter.
The installation of a jacuzzi subject to city planning authorization involves the payment of a development tax and, optionally, of a preventive archeology tax.
You can simulate the amount of your development tax:
Estimate the amount of city planning taxes (development tax and preventive archeology tax)
It can also affect your property taxes.
For more information, you can contact your departmental property tax center.
Assistance with your planning permission application
Reception and user service office (Basu) in Paris: electronic one-stop shop
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For information on city planning regulation and administrative procedures
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Please note: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their progress.
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The informants who answer you belong to the ministry in charge of housing and city planning.
For information on the local urban plan or your RFP or CP file
Town HallFor information on the local urban plan or on your DP or CP file in Paris
Paris: Reception and user service office (Basu)For information on property taxes
Departmental Center for Property Taxes (CDIF)
Request for authorization from a tenant to its owner
Conditions of enjoyment of common and private parts in a condominium
Majority vote in general meeting for authorization given to a co-owner
Abnormal Neighborhood Disorders
New constructions exempted from authorization
Temporary nature of an installation up to 3 months
Temporary nature of a facility up to 15 days in protected areas
New constructions subject to DP
New constructions subject to PD in protected area
New constructions submitted to PC
Obligation to install a safety device
Modes of installation of the safety device
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