Building in France: Calculating the Habitable Space of a French Property

The floor area includes all floor surfaces of buildings closed and covered, included under a ceiling, with a height greater than 1.80m measured to the internal surfaces of external walls. This surface is calculated from the bare inside, which excludes insulation from the inside or outside buildings.

As before, parking areas, basements or cellars and attics are, under certain conditions, excluded from the calculation of the surface.

For new build projects, the obvious benefit is the increase in useable floor area, as the surfaces de plancher is, in effect, living space.

In terms of renovation and conversion, there are wider implications. The new concept of surfaces de plancher means that by removing the wall and insulation thickness from these calculations, greater actual floor area can be measured. Projects of renovation and conversion may become more viable.

Just for information I have provided an example for the calculations for a barn of 20m X 5m on two levels (only the ground floor plan is used). The first example shows the sums used for the SHOB/SHON number and the second the surfaces de plancher model. No deductions are made for any of the allowable deductions of garage spaces, etc to avoid confusion.

I have used a wall thickness of 50cms (not an un-common occurrence) and 10cms for wall insulation and plasterboard. This gives a 0.60m reduction from each wall. I think the sums speak for themselves. As an exercise, I recalculated for my barn conversion and it is a fact that if I could have applied the surfaces de plancher model at the time, I would not have needed an architect to approve my plans.

See below for an illustration of the difference between the old and new systems.

Along with the changes to the definition of floor areas from SHOB and SHON to the new definition of Surfaces Plancher, another means of measurement was included. This being the concept of the “Emprise de Sol”.

The emprise de sol has been revised to complement the surfaces plancher rules. The latter do not apply to areas that are not enclosed or covered as in (verandas, terraces) or even parking spaces (garages carports). These areas could not be used to determine what form of planning approval is required. Or contribute to the revised level of 150m², at which compulsory French registered Architect was required. To maintain a level of control over the planning regime the emprise de sol can now be used to dictate not only what type of planning authorization is required, but also dictates that over the 150m², a French registered architect must be used to approve the application.

An amendment published in May 2012 (decret No 2012-677 07/05/2012) changed the original rule making only the elements that constitute surfaces plancher need be included in the emprise de sol figure for the architect required figure of 150m².
As a concept, it already existed as part of the planning rules and used to determine the allowable sizes of extension of a building as a percentage of existing structures. All of this has now changed.

In the legislation it is defined as “L’emprise au sol correspond a une projection verticale du volume d’une construction, tous debords et surplombs inclus.” This translates roughly as : the footprint corresponds to a vertical projection of the volume of a building, eaves and overhangs included.

This is the simple definition. In reality, the range and scope of things that add to the emprise de sol can be quite daunting and advice must be sought to see how the individuals situation dictate what does and does not form a constituent of the calculations for their project. To measure the footprint, the eaves and overhangs should be taken into account except elements such as moldings, bands and simple cornices and roof overhangs, without support posts or cantilever.

Contrary to the floor area, the footprint of the building includes the thickness of exterior walls (siding and insulation materials included). For example, a ramp outside of the house is part of the footprint. It is the same regarding the basin of a pool (indoor or not, or not covered). In contrast, an outdoor parking area not covered is not. Regarding patios, floor level terracing, if no element exceeds the ground level, or it is impossible to achieve a vertical projection. The area of a terrace of a single-storey does not, therefore, account for determining what type of authorization is submitted. The terraces which, though not strictly above the ground level, have neither an elevation significant in relation to land or deep foundations can also be considered as not constituting footprint.

If you are considering a project of renovation or conversion of this type of building and you are looking to submit a plan for approval in the near future, do the sums. An accurate calculation might just save you a tidy sum in architects fees.