Housing and property · Division · local application
Dividing housing in France: the division permit
A housing-division permit is not a national requirement for every partition. It depends on a local scheme and a project creating dwellings in an existing building. Find the decision, perimeter and procedure, then compare plans, dimensions and facilities against division prohibitions. Check its interaction with planning permission; receipt or silence does not settle every other rule.
- Local
- Project
- Procedure
- Official texts cited
- Sources checked on
- Drafted with AI assistance, our method
General legal information with official references and dated checks. It is not personalised advice: for a decision that commits you, have your situation checked by a qualified professional.
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Does permission to let replace this request?
Planning to divide housing? Let’s locate the local scheme and project documents.
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Is permission required everywhere in France?
No. L126-18 and L126-19 allow the scheme in specified zones. Find the local decision, perimeter and competent authority; do not infer applicability merely from the town’s name.
Related step: Housing and property
Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-18Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-19
Which prohibitions should be checked first?
L126-17 prohibits certain divisions depending on building condition, dimensions and required facilities or diagnostics. Its specific 14 m²/33 m³ rule is not replaced by ordinary 9 m²/20 m³ decency criteria.
Related step: Rental permit in France: the permis de louer explained
Are two independent permissions always needed?
No. In the L126-18 case, planning permission may stand as division authorisation after the required competent-authority agreement. Check the applicable mechanism: a simple declaration is not universally sufficient.
What does the governing text say about local application?
Le président de l'établissement public de coopération intercommunale ou, à défaut le maire, notifie sa décision dans le mois de la réception de la demande.
Le défaut de réponse dans ce délai vaut autorisation.
In plain English: No. L126-18 and L126-19 allow the scheme in specified zones. Find the local decision, perimeter and competent authority; do not infer applicability merely from the town’s name.
What do the one-month period and silence mean?
L126-20 provides notification within one month of request receipt and authorisation in the absence of response. Establish the procedure, relevant request and completeness. Tacit permission does not legalise prohibited division.
Related step: Substandard rental in France: the decency criteria, the evidence to gather and the steps to make the landlord do the works
Which documents belong together?
| Point | Check |
|---|---|
| Local | Decision and perimeter |
| Project | Plans, dimensions and facilities |
| Procedure | Planning, receipt and decision |
Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-17Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-18
How can the division request be prepared?
Fictional example: two proposed dwellings; no monthly marker appears until perimeter and receipt are verified.
Fictional example · Your preparation worksheet
This worksheet prepares local checks and the division dossier. A floor area or silence does not certify the entire project’s legality.
- Described project
- Two dwellings in an existing building
Locate local decision, perimeter, competent authority and planning provisions.
Document new dwellings, plans, dimensions, facilities and any division prohibitions.
Check interaction with planning permission and retain submission, receipt, supplements and decision.
The regime is locally instituted. Check prohibitions and completeness; do not infer general permission to begin works from a marker.
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Which documents make the project examinable?
Gather local decision, before-and-after plans, dimensions, facilities, diagnostics and relevant condominium rights. Add receipt and service correspondence. Permission to let and division control serve distinct purposes.
Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-17Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-19Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-20
What else should you know about local application?
Does permission to let replace this request?
No. Check each applicable local scheme separately.
Does one floor-area figure approve the project?
No. Dimensions, facilities, condition and other rules need examination together.
Does missing permission void a good-faith occupant’s lease?
L126-20 provides that missing permission does not affect that lease.
Does a displayed date authorise works?
No. It remains a marker after scope and request checks.
Which sources explain local application?
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-17Légifrance / DILA
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-18Légifrance / DILA
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-19Légifrance / DILA
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation, article L126-20Légifrance / DILA
Texts cited last checked: 20 October 2026