permis de construire · PC
Page approvedn. m. · building permit (US) · planning permission (UK, approx.) · no exact equivalent
Definition
Autorisation administrative obligatoire pour construire un bâtiment neuf ou pour modifier un bâtiment existant au-delà de certains seuils. Elle est délivrée par la mairie (ou par l'État dans certains cas) après examen d'un dossier de plans et de notices, et vérifie la conformité du projet aux règles d'urbanisme.
A mandatory administrative authorization to build a new building or to alter an existing one above certain thresholds. It is issued by the town hall (or by the State in some cases) after examination of a file of plans and notices, and checks that the project complies with planning rules.
Example sentences
Written (email, official document)
FRLe dossier de permis de construire est déposé en mairie, avec les plans de masse, de façades et de coupes.
ENThe permit application is filed at the town hall, with site, façade and section drawings.
Spoken (standard)
FROn attend le permis, rien ne démarre avant.
ENWe're waiting for the permit, nothing starts before.
Spoken (informal)
FRLe permis est accordé, mais le voisin a déjà écrit au maire.
ENThe permit is granted, but the neighbor has already written to the mayor.
Nuances and pitfalls
PC, PA, DP. The permis de construire (n. m.) (PC) covers new buildings and major works; the permis d'aménager (n. m.) (PA) covers subdivisions and site developments; a déclaration préalable (n. f.) (DP) is enough for small works.
The documents of the file. The file is organized in numbered parts: location plan (PC1), site plan (PC2), section (PC3), notice (PC4), façade and roof plans (PC5), landscape insertion (PC6), photographs of the near and far surroundings (PC7, PC8).
Posting and appeal. Once granted, the permit must be posted on the site; a period then starts during which a third party can challenge it.
On the résumé. Young architects often state on their CV whether they know how to put together a building permit file: it is a skill that offices look for.
Related terms
surface de planchergabaritmaître d'ouvrageAPSRegulatory and standard references
Legislation in force may differ from what is shown here.
Validation
- French term, register, FR sentences : ✓ validated
- US/UK equivalents and EN sentences : ✓ validated
Reviewed by Raphaël B. · 8 Oct 2026
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