Free guide
French property zoning and the PLU, explained
The PLU (plan local d'urbanisme) is the local urban plan: the town's rulebook for what can be built where. Some small communes use a simpler carte communale or the national rules instead.
The four main zones
U (urban)
Already built-up areas. Building and extending is generally allowed, within the zone's rules.
AU (to be urbanised)
Future building areas. Building may depend on roads and networks being in place first.
A (agricultural)
Protected farmland. New homes are very limited; existing homes can often be extended modestly.
N (natural)
Protected natural areas and forests. Building is strongly restricted.
Zones are often split further, for example UA (town centre) or UH (residential with gardens), each with its own rules on height, footprint and distance from boundaries.
What zoning can tell you
- Whether building or extending is allowed in principle
- Height, footprint and set-back limits
- Protected trees, hedges or heritage features
What it cannot tell you
- Whether your specific project will be approved
- Whether existing buildings were built legally
- Upcoming plan changes, or natural risk rules in a separate risk plan
For certainty about a specific project, a certificat d'urbanisme (planning certificate from the mairie) gives the rules that apply to a plot. Thinking of a pool? See Can I build a pool in France?
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the mairie (town hall) and your French notaire before you sign.
Want to know what the zoning means for your address?
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