# Preliminary Declaration for a Fence: When is it Mandatory?

Clôtures en France : quand la déclaration préalable est-elle obligatoire ? Cas, procédure, délais et risques, avec conseils B2B pour planifier vos chantiers.
Paysapro, the official European distributor of the brands Redcinha®, Delclo®, and elipsun®, supports professionals in outdoor landscaping with regulatory compliance for fences in France, backed by over 15 years of experience and over 10,000 referenced projects. This guide summarizes when a preliminary declaration is required, how to handle it effectively, and what to anticipate to secure project timelines and margins. > 📌 **Key Takeaway** — Preliminary declaration required in protected sectors, dedicated PLU areas, and municipalities that have deliberated | Outside these cases, no declaration but PLU and placement to be respected | Anticipate 1 month for review and 2 months for display to avoid disputes. ## When Is the Preliminary Declaration Required for a Fence? A **preliminary declaration (DP)** is required in three situations defined by the Urban Planning Code and local regulations: - **Protected Sectors**: surrounding **historical monuments**, **noteworthy heritage sites**, **classified sites**, or those pending classification. Any fence may be affected, including a simple mesh. - **Areas Defined by the PLU or Municipal Map**: the urban planning document may require fences to have a DP in certain zones (e.g., natural or forested areas, areas for free wildlife movement, landscape-sensitive zones). - **Municipalities That Have Deliberated**: the **municipal council** or the competent **EPCI** may decide to require **all fences** to have a DP (reference: art. R*421-12 of the Urban Planning Code). Points of expert caution: - The **PLU** may impose specific criteria for **height**, **materials**, **appearance**, and **placement**. A technically compliant fence but not compliant with local appearance may be rejected. - In **subdivisions** or **condominiums**, the DP does not exempt compliance with site-specific regulations (specifications, condominium regulations). Helpful recap: - Protected sector: DP required. - PLU-subjected area: DP required. - Deliberated municipality: DP required. - Outside the above cases: no DP, subject to compliance with PLU and easements. ## Procedure, Deadlines, and Rules to Follow (Even Without DP) ### DP File: Required Documents - **Cerfa Form No. 13404**. - **Location Plan** and **Site Plan**. - **Graphic Document** describing the fence (dimensions, materials, colors, assembly principles). - **Landscape Notice** when required by the site (notably in protected areas). Pro tip: a **precise site plan** and a **readable graphic document** reduce requests for additional pieces and secure the review deadline. ### Submission and Review - Submission at **city hall** (or electronically when required for legal entities in municipalities with over 3,500 inhabitants). - **Indicative review period: 1 month**. In **classified site**: **45 days**. - **Mandatory display** of the authorization on site for **2 months**. - **Validity** of the authorization: **3 years**. ### Rules to Follow Even Without DP - **Wall Heights**: indicative minimum height of **2.60 m** in municipalities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants and **3.20 m** from 50,000 inhabitants onward. These thresholds concern **walls**, not mesh or panels. The **PLU** may set **maximum heights** (e.g., 1.80 m at the border). - **Placement**: respect **alignment** with the public domain. Usual distances stated in regulations: **6 m** from watercourses, **9.75 m** from navigation or operational paths along a state watercourse, **3 m** from the maritime public domain. At separation borders, a **joint fence** requires the **neighbor's consent** and **cost sharing**. Field observation: refusals and disputes frequently arise from **poorly verified alignment** or **heights not complying with the PLU**, more than from the material itself. ### Risks in Case of Non-compliance With Required DP - **Formal notice** to regularize or **demolish**. - **Fine** (up to **€300,000**, art. L. 480-4). - **Potential criminal sanction** for non-compliance. > To secure a project, wait for the **authorization notification** before any ordering or installation. ## Material Solutions and Paysapro Support (B2B) For files requiring a DP, a **clear technical file** facilitates the review: description of **materials**, available colors, visual rendering, placement principles, and installation planning. - **Redcinha®**: **co-extruded composite wood** fences with **natural wood appearance** and **minimal maintenance**. Recommended documentation in the file: visual aspects, color references, fixing principles. - **Delclo®**: **fencing**, **fence posts**, and **composite & PVC screening slats** for rigid or bespoke panels, **high resistance to UV and weather**. Useful for meeting **opacity** or **uniformity** requirements imposed by certain PLUs. - **elipsun®**: **solar fence**, to be documented via a placement diagram and visual rendering for urban instruction. Our ranges are **manufactured according to strict European standards** (UV testing, frost resistance, environmental certifications). On the B2B side: - **Installers and fitters**: technical and logistical assistance for planning DP timelines and installation. - **Landscape architects**: **visual renderings** and placement indications for landscape notices. - **Merchant traders**: **stock availability** and **clear references** to build repeatable DP files by municipality. - **Public authorities and project owners**: durable range and **structured after-sales service** for recurrent operations. Pro advice: align your **quotes and schedules** with the **review month** and **double display month** to avoid project standstills. ## Common Mistakes and Operational Countermeasures - **Starting installation before decision**: exposes to demolition and fines. Countermeasure: mark the schedule with the date of **written notification**. - **Forgetting 2 months display**: weakens legal security. Countermeasure: dated photo of the sign and documentation in the DOE. - **Underestimating the PLU** on **heights, materials, color**: cause for refusal. Countermeasure: capture PLU extracts in the notice. - **Placement in the public domain or alignment**: source of litigation. Countermeasure: **boundary plan** and validation from the road manager. > For a landscaper in a subdivision, first check the **subdivision regulations** and prepare a **graphic document** on the fence's appearance; this avoids a double review. > For a project owner in a **protected area**, anticipate the **landscape notice** and a **visual rendering** consistent with the environment; incorporate **45 days** for review into the schedule if the site is classified. > For a multi-municipality trader, prepare **DP kits** by type of fence (standard plans, material visuals, color references) tailored to local **deliberations**. ## FAQ ### Can a municipal deliberation make DP mandatory everywhere in the municipality? Yes. Article R*421-12 of the Urban Planning Code allows the **municipal council** or the competent **EPCI** to require **all fences** to have a preliminary declaration throughout all or part of the municipal territory. ### What documents should be attached for a composite fence DP? The **Cerfa n° 13404**, a **location plan**, a **site plan**, a **graphic document** detailing height, materials, and color, and a **landscape notice** if required by the site. Visual aspects improve the clarity of the file. ### In a condominium or subdivision, does the DP suffice? No. Even if the DP is granted, you must comply with the **condominium regulations** or the **subdivision specifications**. Approval from the relevant entities may be required additionally. ### Do the minimum heights of 2.60 m and 3.20 m apply to meshes or panels? No. These thresholds concern **walls**. **Meshes** and **panels** primarily fall under the prescriptions of the **PLU** (for example, maximum height at the limit) and local easements. ### What is the review deadline for a DP, and can it be shortened? The indicative deadline is **1 month**, and **45 days** for a **classified site**. It is not compressible, but a **complete and readable file** reduces requests for additional pieces that prolong the review. ### What sanctions are there for installation without DP when required? Formal notice to **regularize** or **demolish**, **fines** of up to **€300,000** (art. L. 480-4), and potential criminal sanctions for non-compliance. Missing display also weakens the validity of the authorization.