An exceptional extension of the validity period of authorisations to support the recovery of the construction sector

Published by Ombeline Soulier Dugénie

Urban planning: An exceptional extension of the validity period of authorisations to support the recovery of the construction sector

The decree of 26 May 2025 establishes an automatic and exceptional extension of the validity period of planning permits issued between 1 January 2021 and 28 May 2024.

This is a strong measure aimed at a sector that has been weakened since 2021.

A clear objective: to secure projects and restart construction sites

Against a backdrop of a persistent crisis in new housing production, this measure aims to prevent many permits from expiring due to failure to implement them within the deadline and to spare applicants the uncertainty and delays associated with extension requests.

What the decree provides for:

For authorisations granted between 28 May 2022 and 28 May 2024:

The period of validity is extended from 3 to 5 years.
➡ This automatic extension renders the common law extension rules (Articles R. 424-21 to R. 424-23 of the Urban Planning Code) inapplicable.
➡ In the case of integrated commercial operating authorisations (Article L. 425-4 of the Urban Planning Code), the validity of these authorisations is also extended to 5 years.

For authorisations granted between 1 January 2021 and 27 May 2022:
➡ The validity is automatically extended by one year.
➡ Where the permit constitutes a commercial operating authorisation, this is also extended by one year.

These provisions apply to authorisations valid on 27 May 2025 and apply to building, development and demolition permits as well as decisions of non-objection to prior declarations.