The site plan is a graphical urban planning document that shows how a building is positioned on its plot, with its dimensions, distances to boundaries and existing utility networks. It is a mandatory component of any building permit application and a valuable analysis tool for buyers considering works in Paris.
Introduction
In Paris, where 80% of the housing stock dates from before 1945, purchase projects often involve renovation or reconfiguration works. Before considering an extension, a roof-raising or a change of use, one document provides the definitive reference: the site plan. This technical document, often unfamiliar to buyers, makes it possible to verify the urban planning feasibility of a project before even signing a preliminary agreement.
In 2026, with the strengthening of the requirements under the Paris bioclimatic Local Urban Plan (PLU), reading the site plan has become a reflex for any property hunter accompanying clients on projects involving works.
Table of contents
- What is a site plan in property
- Information contained in a site plan
- When to request a site plan in Paris
- How to read a site plan: key elements
- Site plans and Parisian renovation projects
- The property hunter and urban planning analysis
What is a site plan in property
The site plan, designated as document PCMI 2 in a building permit file, is a scaled aerial view of a plot and its structures. It differs from the location plan (which positions the plot within the municipality) and the cadastral plan (which marks property boundaries for tax purposes).
This document is governed by article R.431-9 of the French Urban Planning Code. It must be included in every building permit application and in certain prior works declarations. Its usual scale ranges between 1/100 and 1/500 depending on the size of the plot.
In Paris, where plots are often narrow and buildings share party walls, the site plan takes on particular importance. It reveals positioning constraints that are not visible during a simple apartment viewing.
Information contained in a site plan
A complete site plan includes several categories of information. The plot boundaries and their dimensions appear first. The footprint of each existing structure is shown, along with the distances between buildings and boundary limits.
The document also indicates the altimetric markers for the natural ground level and the structures, vehicle and pedestrian access from the public road, and existing utility networks: water, electricity, drainage and telecommunications.
Green spaces, trees protected under the PLU and parking spaces complete the plan. In Paris, trees over 2 metres tall are often protected and cannot be felled without authorisation.
For a typical Haussmann building in the 6th or 7th arrondissements, the site plan also shows the interior courtyard, communal areas and any rights of way.
When to request a site plan in Paris
The site plan is not a document routinely provided in the sales file. It becomes necessary in several specific situations.
When you are planning works that alter the building’s external appearance, such as creating an opening, modifying a facade, or installing a conservatory, the town hall will require an up-to-date site plan in your application.
For a change of use, for example converting commercial premises into housing in the 10th arrondissement, the site plan makes it possible to verify the project’s compliance with the prospect and height rules.
A buyer interested in a ground-floor property with a private garden should also consult the site plan. This document confirms whether the outdoor space is indeed attached to the unit, whether it is buildable and what the party-wall constraints are.
Finally, for any purchase of commercial premises or atypical property, the site plan reveals positioning constraints that neither photographs nor viewings can show.
How to read a site plan: key elements
Reading a site plan relies on several essential reference points. The orientation (geographic north) must appear on the document. The graphic scale allows you to verify actual dimensions.
The height markers, expressed in metres NGF (General Levelling of France), indicate the altitude of the ground and structures. In Paris, these markers are crucial in flood-prone areas near the Seine or the sloping areas of the 18th arrondissement.
Conventional hatching and symbols distinguish existing structures (solid lines) from planned projects (dashed lines). Utility networks are colour-coded: blue for water, red for electricity, green for telecommunications.
Distances to boundary limits must comply with PLU rules. In Paris, the general rule imposes a minimum setback from property boundaries that varies by zone. A load-bearing wall identified on the site plan cannot be removed, which constrains interior reconfiguration projects.
Site plans and Parisian renovation projects
In 2026, the Paris bioclimatic PLU imposes strengthened requirements for greening and soil permeability. The site plan is the document that allows calculation of the full-ground coefficient: the proportion of the plot that is not sealed.
For a roof-raising project, common in the 5th and 13th arrondissements where buildings are sometimes lower, the site plan serves to verify that the projected height complies with the envelope gabarits defined by the PLU.
Lot division projects, for example splitting a large apartment into two dwellings, also require an updated site plan if the division involves creating new access points.
The cost of having a site plan drawn up by a chartered surveyor in Paris ranges between 800 and 2,500 euros in 2026, depending on the complexity of the plot. This amount should be factored into the projected budget for your project.
The property hunter and urban planning analysis
Analysing the site plan is part of the preliminary study that a property hunter carries out for clients, particularly for properties with renovation potential. At Home Select, our property hunters systematically verify consistency between the existing site plan, the applicable PLU regulations and the buyer’s project.
This upfront verification avoids unpleasant surprises. A client who wishes to acquire a property for an extension needs to know, before signing the preliminary agreement, whether the PLU authorises that extension on the plot in question.
For off-market properties, where technical information is sometimes incomplete, this urban planning analysis is all the more valuable. The site plan provides an objective tool for assessing the property’s true potential.
FAQ
Where can you obtain the site plan of a building in Paris?
The site plan can be requested from the urban planning department at the arrondissement town hall, from the condominium managing agent, or consulted via the City of Paris urban planning portal. For recent building permits, it is included in the archived file at the town hall.
Is a site plan mandatory when buying an apartment?
No, the site plan is not a mandatory document in an apartment sale file. It becomes essential if you are planning works requiring a building permit or a prior declaration altering the footprint.
What is the difference between a site plan and a cadastral plan?
The cadastral plan shows the property boundaries of a plot for tax purposes. The site plan is more detailed: it includes existing structures, altitude markers, utility networks, green spaces and distances to boundary limits. It is used in the assessment of urban planning applications.
Considering a purchase with works in Paris? Our property hunters integrate urban planning analysis into every search. Contact Home Select for comprehensive support, from project feasibility to key handover.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you obtain the site plan of a building in Paris?
The site plan can be requested from the urban planning department at the arrondissement town hall, from the condominium managing agent, or consulted via the City of Paris urban planning portal. For recent building permits, it is included in the archived file at the town hall.
Is a site plan mandatory when buying an apartment?
No, the site plan is not a mandatory document in an apartment sale file. It becomes essential if you are planning works requiring a building permit or a prior declaration altering the footprint.
What is the difference between a site plan and a cadastral plan?
The cadastral plan shows the property boundaries of a plot for tax purposes. The site plan is more detailed: it includes existing structures, altitude markers, utility networks, green spaces and distances to boundary limits. It is used in the assessment of urban planning applications.
