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France prior declaration of works form (Cerfa 16702, déclaration préalable)
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French Prior Declaration of Works (Cerfa 16702) in short
Cerfa 16702*03 is the French prior declaration (déclaration préalable, DP) form for building work, work on an existing building and changes of use that do not need a building permit. You file it with the town hall where the project is located, on paper or online depending on the town. The review period is normally 1 month.
| Issued by | Ministère chargé de l'urbanisme (formulaire diffusé par Service Public) |
|---|---|
| Current version | 16702*03 (checked 2026-10-25) |
| Who fills it in | The landowner or their representative, the buyer of the property, a company authorised by the owner, a joint owner, a building manager (syndic) or co-owner, or the beneficiary of an expropriation. |
| Who receives it | The town hall (mairie) of the town where the project is located, or its planning department. |
| Where to send it | 2 copies by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt, or by hand at the town hall against a receipt. Depending on the town you can also file online (AD'AU or the town's own service), by email or contact form. In towns over 3,500 inhabitants, a company or other legal entity must file electronically only. |
| Deadline | No filing deadline, but you must file before starting work. The town hall has 1 month to review a complete file and 1 month from filing to say a file is incomplete. Periods differ in protected areas. |
| Fee | Filing is free. Planning taxes (taxe d'aménagement, preventive archaeology) may be due later, based on a declaration to the tax office within 90 days of completing the work. |
| Official links | Official page · Official PDF · Official instructions |
What changed
The official form record says version 16702*03 has been valid since 1 July 2026.
How to fill out French Prior Declaration of Works (Cerfa 16702), line by line
| Box 1 | Declarant identity Section 1.1 for an individual (name, date and place of birth) or 1.2 for a legal entity (name, SIRET, representative). |
| Box 2 | Declarant contact details Address, phone and email. You can agree to receive letters from the authority electronically. |
| Box 3 | The land Address of the land, land registry references (section, number, area) and legal status. For several plots, use the land registry annex. |
| Box 4.1 | Type of work planned Describe the project: new building, work on an existing building, change of use. |
| Boxes 4.3 and 4.4 | Footprint and floor area table Give the ground footprint and the existing, created and removed floor area by use. An official floor area calculation sheet is available. |
| Box 4.5 | Parking Number of parking spaces before and after the work, if relevant. |
| Box 6 | Road and network contribution Only if the land is subject to the PVR contribution and the owner is not the declarant. |
| Undertaking | Place, date and signature The declarant confirms they are entitled to file and that the information is correct, then signs. |
| Checklist | Attached documents Tick the documents attached: a location plan for every project, then where relevant a site plan, cross section, elevation and roof plans and other documents. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting work before the review period ends, or without posting the receipt and the sign on site.
- Leaving out the location plan, which every project needs.
- Filing a prior declaration when the project needs a building permit.
- Not checking with the town hall whether the land is in a protected area, which changes the file and the periods.
- Posting one copy instead of 2.
- Not answering a request for missing documents within 3 months, which counts as a refusal.
- Forgetting the tax declaration within 90 days of completing the work.
Questions about French Prior Declaration of Works (Cerfa 16702)
Which cerfa do I use for a déclaration préalable in France?
For building work not needing a building permit, Service Public points to Cerfa 16702*03. For landscaping or land works not needing a development permit, the form points to Cerfa 16703.
How long does the town hall take?
1 month from filing a complete file. With no reply in that time, the project is tacitly approved (non-opposition). The period differs in protected areas.
Can I file online?
Yes, if your town offers it, through the AD'AU service or the town's own online service. Ask your town hall.
How many copies do I file?
In the general case, 2 copies by registered post or by hand. Rules differ in protected areas.
What do I do after approval?
Post the receipt and a sign visible from the public road on the site for the whole duration of the work. A third party can challenge the decision within 2 months of the sign going up.
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Sources
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-25. PDF Editor Hub is not affiliated with the Ministère chargé de l'urbanisme or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
- https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R2028
- https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17578
- https://www.formulaires.service-public.gouv.fr/gf/showFormulaireSignaletiqueConsulter.do?numCerfa=16702
- https://www.formulaires.service-public.gouv.fr/gf/cerfa_16702.do
- https://www.formulaires.service-public.gouv.fr/gf/getNotice.do?cerfaNotice=51434&cerfaFormulaire=16702