The government is exceptionally extending the validity of building permits to facilitate the resumption of construction sites and the production of housing.

The marked slowdown in the economy and the construction sector from 2021 onwards, in the context of the Covid pandemic and then the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, called into question numerous housing construction projects across France. Authorized projects could not be started or completed, in particular due to the sharp rise in construction costs, which jeopardized the economic balance of the projects, but also due to the increased requirements of financing institutions in terms of pre-marketing.

However, the validity period of building permits is set by law at 3 years, renewable for two one-year periods upon decision of the mayor who granted the authorization. A large number of permits issued from 2021 onwards, and even more so during the peak of issuance in autumn 2022, will therefore expire soon, even though the projects would likely be completed as soon as circumstances permit. At a time when the first positive signs of recovery are emerging, it is important to support and facilitate the resumption of construction.

In this context, the published decree aims to automatically and exceptionally extend the validity period of building permits, still valid, issued between January 1, 2021 and May 28, 2024. For permits issued between January 1, 2021 and May 27, 2022, the extension is one year. For permits issued between May 28, 2022 and May 28, 2024, the validity period is set at five years (without the need to go through the renewal procedures for two one-year renewals after the initial three-year period). In addition, the decree provides for the extension, for the same periods, of any commercial operating permits attached to the building permits in question.

The selected period will notably enable the successful completion of housing creation projects which enabled more than 2300 municipalities to benefit from the Sustainable Construction Recovery Aid granted in 2021 and 2022.

For Housing Minister Valérie Létard: "We all have a role to play in facilitating the revival of housing production in France: project leaders by carrying out authorized projects, elected officials by supporting the construction effort, and public authorities by simplifying and accelerating procedures. With this decree, as well as with the bill to simplify urban planning and housing recently adopted by the National Assembly, the Government is keeping the commitments it made at the beginning of the year."

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.