Do you need a city planning permit to settle a greenhouse?
Verified 22 April 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
In some cases, a city planning authorization is necessary to settle a greenhouse. Its size and location (protected area or not) determine the type of authorization to be requested: a prior declaration (PD) or a building permit (PC). We present the regulations to you.
Warning
The installation of a greenhouse for a limited period of 3 months is exempt from any formality. In the following sectors, it is limited to 15 days:
- Classified Sites or pending filing
- Scope of remarkable heritage sites
- Surroundings of historical monuments
- Areas protected by reasoned deliberation of the municipal council or theEPCI: titleContent.
In any case, you must consult the MORE of your municipality which may provide for local rules concerning the installation of your greenhouse. To know them, you must contact the city planning department of your town hall.
The city planning authorization depends on the dimensions of your greenhouse (height and surface) and whether it is located in protected area or not:
General case
The approach is different depending on the size of your greenhouse:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Greenhouse with a height above ground of 1,80 m or less
You are exempt from all formalities.
Greenhouse with a height above ground of between 1,80 and 4 m and a floor area of up to 2 000 m²
You must file a advance declaration of work (RFP).
You can complete the RFP online or by using a form.
The DP file must be submitted to the town hall:
- By dematerialized means according to the arrangements made by your municipality (find out more on the website of the town hall or on site)
- Per letter RAR: titleContent
- Hand-held.
On the internet
The RFP application file can be completed on the Internet:
You must inquire with the town hall or on its website to know if it provides online service to complete the file.
If not, you can use the following online service:
Form
You must use the following form:
Prior declaration of constructions and works not subject to building permits
Greenhouse with a height above ground exceeding 4 m or a floor area of more than 2 000 m²
You devez ask for a building permit.
You must use an architect to establish the project of a greenhouse that corresponds to one of the following dimensions:
- From 4 m height of the right foot (right vertical post)
- More than 2,000 m² of floor area
- More than 2,000 m² ofright of way on the ground.
You can complete the permit online or by using a form.
The building permit file must be submitted to the town hall:
- By dematerialized means according to the arrangements made by your municipality (find out more on the website of the town hall or on site)
- Per letter RAR: titleContent
- Hand-held.
On the internet
The building permit application file can be completed on the internet:
You must inquire with the town hall or on its website to know if it provides online service to complete the file.
If not, you can use the following online service:
Form
You must use the following form:
Application for a building permit (other than for a detached house or its annexes)
FYI
Your project may be subject to payment of a development tax and a preventive archeology tax.
It can also affect your property taxes.
For more information, you can contact your departmental property tax center.
Who shall I contact
In protected area
The approach is different depending on the size of your greenhouse:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Greenhouse with a height above ground of less than 4 m and up to 2,000 m² of floor area
You must file a advance declaration of work (RFP).
You can complete the RFP online or by using a form.
The DP file must be submitted to the town hall:
- By dematerialized means according to the arrangements made by your municipality (find out more on the website of the town hall or on site)
- Per letter RAR: titleContent
- Hand-held.
On the internet
The RFP application file can be completed on the Internet:
You must inquire with the town hall or on its website to know if it provides online service to complete the file.
If not, you can use the following online service:
Form
You must use the following form:
Prior declaration of constructions and works not subject to building permits
Greenhouse from a height of 4 m above the ground or a floor area of more than 2,000 m²
You have to ask for a building permit.
You must use an architect to establish the project of a greenhouse that corresponds to one of the following dimensions:
- From 4 m height of the right foot (right vertical post)
- more than 2 000 m² of floor area
- more than 2 000 m² ofright of way on the ground.
You can complete the permit online or by using a form.
The permit file must be submitted to the town hall:
- By dematerialized means according to the arrangements made by your municipality (find out more on the website of the town hall or on site)
- Per letter RAR: titleContent
- Hand-held.
On the internet
The building permit application file can be completed on the internet:
You must inquire with the town hall or on its website to know if it provides online service to complete the file.
If not, you can use the following online service:
Form
You must use the following form:
Application for a building permit (other than for a detached house or its annexes)
FYI
Your project may be subject to payment of a development tax and a preventive archeology tax.
It can also affect your property taxes.
For more information, you can contact your departmental property tax center.
Who shall I contact
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.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.
- Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
- Service free
The informants who answer you belong to the ministry in charge of housing and city planning.
For information on the local urban plan or on your advance declaration file
Town Hall
Projects exempt from any city planning formality except when they are located in a protected area
New constructions requiring prior notification
Recourse to the architect
FAQ
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