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gabarit

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n. m. · building envelope (zoning, approx.) · clearance (headroom) · template · gauge

Definition

FR
Mot à plusieurs sens. En urbanisme, le gabarit est l'enveloppe maximale dans laquelle un bâtiment peut s'inscrire (hauteur, recul, prospect). Le mot désigne aussi une hauteur libre à respecter (gabarit d'un parking) ou un modèle qui sert à tracer ou à contrôler une forme (gabarit de chantier).
EN
A word with several senses. In urban planning, the gabarit is the maximum envelope in which a building must fit (height, setback, angle limit). The word also means a clearance to respect (a car park gabarit) or a template used to mark out or check a shape (a site template).

Diagram

ruestreetgabaritbuilding envelope (approx.)Coupe sur une rue et un bâtiment · schéma de principe, non à l'échelle
Section on a street: the gabarit (n. m.) (dashed) is the maximum buildable envelope.

Example sentences

Written (email, official document)

FRLe règlement du PLU fixe le gabarit : hauteur maximale et recul sur la rue.

ENThe local plan sets the building envelope: maximum height and setback from the street.

Spoken (standard)

FRTon gabarit de parking est trop juste, un SUV ne passera pas.

ENYour car park clearance is too tight, an SUV won't get through.

Spoken (informal)

FRIl a tiré le gabarit au maximum, jusqu'au dernier centimètre.

ENHe pushed the envelope to the limit, down to the last centimeter.

Spoken (standard)

FRLe menuisier a taillé un gabarit en contreplaqué pour percer tous les trous au même endroit.

ENThe joiner cut a plywood template to drill all the holes in the same place.

Nuances and pitfalls

Several senses. The gabarit (n. m.) of a building (envelope set by the local plan), of a car park (clearance), of a site (a template to mark out or check). The context gives the sense.

Gabarit and prospect. The prospect is the rule that limits a building's height according to its distance from the neighboring boundary; it often draws the slope of the gabarit.

Related terms

permis de construiresurface de planchertrame

Regulatory and standard references

France
US
UK
Code de l'urbanisme (règlement du PLU : règles de hauteur et d'implantation)? Not verified

Legislation in force may differ from what is shown here.

Validation

Reviewed by Raphaël B. · 8 Oct 2026

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