In brief: Districlos reminds you that privacy screening can be installed freely in most cases, but the local municipality has the final say. Consult the PLU (Local Urban Plan) or POS (Land Use Plan), and the development’s specifications if you are in a co-ownership. A prior declaration is required in conservation areas, sectors protected by the PLU, classified sites, or near historical monuments: use form CERFA 13703*07, with a response time of approximately 1 month. Legal reference height: 2.6 m in municipalities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, 3.2 m elsewhere.
Privacy screening is essential to protect you from prying eyes and overlooking neighbors. It is a great solution to fully enjoy your entire property. Imagine relaxing moments sipping a delicious coffee, reading a good book, enjoying your pool/jacuzzi, or sunbathing in summer without being observed by overly curious neighbors! Do you want to install your privacy screening yourself? It is entirely possible! In fact, it is very easy to do without calling in professionals, provided you follow certain rules. Discover our guide to learn everything about privacy screening installation and the regulations governing this type of setup. Our experts provide an overview for you!
Video installation guide
What is privacy screening?
Privacy screening or fencing screening is an installation designed to protect a private space from outside views and overlooking neighbors. It is installed on fences, terraces, or balconies so that you can enjoy your garden and your entire outdoor space.
Privacy screening also acts as a windbreak, meaning it helps reduce drafts that can spoil your outdoor relaxation. However, this equipment can also provide shade. Privacy screening offers the advantage of protecting you from strong sunlight while being less bulky than a full fence.
Furthermore, it is very budget-friendly and offers a multitude of choices: natural screening (bamboo, wood, wicker…), synthetic screening (artificial hedging, PVC privacy slats, mesh…), retractable screening…
Districlos expert tip: learn how to install mesh privacy screening by following our tutorial.
Privacy screening is mostly sold in rolls to be simply fixed onto a mesh support or similar. Most often, privacy screening is fixed to flexible mesh fencing or rigid mesh panels. Depending on the installation accessories, fixing is done with clips or staples. Very simple to install, even for a Sunday DIYer!
Districlos professional ideas: discover 10 solutions for screening your fence.
Installing privacy screening: the reference regulations
Local regulations
In principle, you are free to install privacy screening as you see fit. However, like all home improvement work on your property, installing privacy screening may be subject to local regulations. Indeed, when you wish to install screening on your terrace, balcony, or fence, you must first check with your local town hall.
Districlos experts support you: discover 5 decor ideas for terrace privacy screening.
In some localities, installing such a structure may require a work declaration or even a building permit application. A maximum height may also be set for each municipality. Indeed, this type of installation can bother neighbors and encroach on their view, for example.
Districlos professional tip: as we have just explained, before choosing privacy screening, we advise you to consult the Local Urban Plan (PLU) or the Land Use Plan (POS). This applies even if you are doing the installation yourself. However, if you live in a housing development, do not forget to refer to the co-ownership specifications. It may impose certain rules (color, material, etc.).
Prior declaration of work: when is it mandatory for installing privacy screening?
In towns where the town hall imposes this process, you will need to file a prior declaration of work.
This type of obligation also concerns:
- Conservation areas
- Sectors delimited as protected zones by a PLU
- Certain classified, registered, or pending classification sites according to the environmental code
- A plot of land near a classified or historical monument.
Did you know? In these cases, your privacy screening must be subject to urban planning authorization. To obtain it, you must fill out form CERFA 13703*07 and send it to the municipal services with the various requested supporting documents. You will receive a response in about 1 month.
Regulations and legal height for installing privacy screening
- 2.6 m: reference height in municipalities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants
- 3.2 m: reference height in more populated municipalities
- No maximum height set by regulations
- CERFA 13703*07: urban planning authorization form, response in approximately 1 month
- 50 cm from the boundary for planting less than 2 m high, 2 m otherwise (Article 671 of the Civil Code)
If the town hall or co-ownership regulations do not impose any particular rule regarding the authorized height, you must rely on legal measures.
According to the law, your neighbor’s privacy screening must exceed 2.6 meters in height for towns with a population of less than 50,000. And yours must too!
For more populated municipalities, a minimum of 3.2 m is set.
Good to know: you have no limit regarding the maximum height, as the regulations do not provide for one.
For other urban areas, the municipality’s PLU remains the reference you must rely on.
Rules according to different types of privacy screening
Regulations for natural or artificial privacy screening remain general. There are no real specificities based on the type of privacy screening.
Questions such as the nature of the material or its thickness are not taken into account in the standards defined by regulations. It is therefore possible to choose reed screening, synthetic mesh, or PVC privacy slats that meet your needs and preferences.
Here are the rules applied for certain specific cases.
Rules for installing privacy screening on balconies
As you have understood: to install privacy screening on your balcony, you must ensure that the local town hall authorizes it. This is not always the case.
For co-ownerships, internal regulations also specify the type of permitted layout. In some cases, a windbreak may be perceived as a neighborhood nuisance and the privacy screening prohibited.
In your detached house, however, the municipality’s PLU will be the sole reference for deciding on the use of privacy screening on the garden fence, terrace, or balcony of your home.
Good to know: discover our tips for choosing the right privacy screening for your balcony.
Privacy screening on shared fences: is it possible?
Regarding regulations, fences are generally considered to be shared (mitoyenne), unless there is proof of their belonging to a private property. Neighbors are free to choose the privacy screening that suits them, except for models that contradict PLU requirements.
Of course, the improvements made for your comfort must not affect the integrity of the shared fence. In all cases, it remains possible to consult neighbors for the installation of privacy screening that meets everyone’s requirements. A joint project can be an opportunity to share the purchase costs.
For cheap PVC reed screening for example, being able to share the investment will mean spending an even smaller amount to enjoy effective privacy screening.
Plant-based privacy screening: distances to respect
Living fences must be planted in compliance with certain distances from the neighborhood. Indeed, Article 671 of the Civil Code imposes a distance to be respected with the neighboring property according to 2 scenarios:
- In the case of plantings characterized by low stems, i.e., with less than 2 m in height, it is imperative that the borders are at a minimum of 50 cm from the boundary separating the two dwellings.
- For plants or trees with higher stems, a minimum distance of 2 meters is required.
Which rule applies according to your situation
| Situation | Reference to consult | Point of vigilance |
|---|---|---|
| Detached house | Municipality PLU | Sole reference for garden fencing, terrace, and balcony |
| Housing in a development or co-ownership | Specifications, internal regulations | May impose a color or material, and prohibit windbreaks on balconies |
| Shared fence | PLU, neighbor’s agreement | Fence presumed shared unless proven otherwise; do not alter its integrity |
| Plant-based screening, hedge | Article 671 of the Civil Code | 50 cm from the boundary if less than 2 m high, 2 m otherwise |
| Conservation area, classified site, proximity to a historical monument | Prior declaration at the town hall | CERFA 13703*07 with supporting documents, response in approximately 1 month |
| No specific local rules | Legal reference height | 2.6 m under 50,000 inhabitants, 3.2 m otherwise, no regulatory maximum |
FAQ
Is authorization needed to install privacy screening?
In principle, you install your privacy screening as you see fit. However, some municipalities impose a work declaration, or even a building permit, and may set a maximum height. The first step is therefore to check with the town hall and consult the Local Urban Plan or the Land Use Plan before purchasing.
In which cases is a prior declaration mandatory?
It applies in towns where the town hall imposes it, as well as in conservation areas, in sectors delimited as protected zones by a PLU, on certain classified or registered sites, or those pending classification under the environmental code, and on a plot near a classified or historical monument.
Which form should be filled out and how long does it take to get a response?
Urban planning authorization is obtained by filling out form CERFA 13703*07, to be sent to municipal services with the requested supporting documents. The response arrives in about 1 month.
What legal height must be respected for privacy screening?
If the town hall or co-ownership regulations do not set anything, the legal reference is 2.6 meters in municipalities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants and 3.2 meters in more populated municipalities. No maximum height is provided for by regulations. For other urban areas, the municipal PLU remains the reference.
Can privacy screening be installed on a shared fence?
Fences are generally considered shared, unless there is proof of belonging to a private property. Each neighbor remains free to choose their privacy screening, except for models contrary to PLU requirements, and the installation must not affect the integrity of the fence. Consulting the neighbor also allows for sharing the purchase costs.
What distance must be respected for plant-based privacy screening?
Article 671 of the Civil Code distinguishes two cases. Low-stem plantings, less than 2 m in height, must be installed at least 50 cm from the boundary line. For plants or trees with higher stems, the minimum distance increases to 2 meters.
Is privacy screening allowed on a balcony?
You must first check that the town hall authorizes it, which is not systematic. In co-ownerships, the internal regulations specify the permitted layouts, and a windbreak may be considered a neighborhood nuisance, thus prohibited. In detached houses, the municipal PLU is the only reference, whether the screening is installed on the fence, terrace, or balcony.
Districlos: a wide choice of privacy screening to meet every regulation
These standards give an idea of the natural measures to adopt so as not to bother the neighborhood, whether with natural or plant-based hedges or with mesh suspended at height. Ultimately, privacy screening is intended to make your home more comfortable without inconveniencing neighbors or infringing on municipal regulations.
The various artificial or natural privacy screenings you will find at Districlos meet current standards and pair perfectly with your mesh fencing, balcony, or terrace.
You will inevitably find the equipment adapted to your expectations and local regulations among our wide range of screening options:
- Artificial hedges, flowered, exotic, or classic, with a lifelike appearance to bring a bit of greenery without requiring any maintenance!
- Mesh privacy screening, available in several thicknesses and colors to adopt the level of screening and the aesthetic look of your dreams.
- High-quality PVC privacy slats, easy to maintain and install.
- Natural privacy screening: heather screening, reed, wicker… there is something for every taste, especially yours!
You are now an expert in privacy screening installation and the related regulations! You will be able to carry out your screening project with complete peace of mind to fully enjoy your property. Thanks to your privacy screening, say goodbye to your neighbor’s overlooking view of your land!
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