Replacing windows changes the exterior appearance of a building. This modification, even if minimal (change of color, material, or dimensions), triggers an administrative obligation: to submit a prior declaration of work to the town hall. The regulatory framework has recently evolved, with new forms and digital submission methods that change the game for individuals.
Cerfa 16702*02: the form to use from 2025 for your windows
Most online guides still mention the old Cerfa 13703 or 13404. These references are obsolete for a window replacement project on a single-family home. Since January 1, 2025, the applicable form is the Cerfa 16702*02 “Prior declaration – Constructions and works not subject to a building permit”. This document covers modifications to facades, openings, bay windows, and shutters.
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A second form, Cerfa 16703*02, exists for installations and developments not subject to a development permit. It does not concern window changes. Confusing the two delays the processing of the file at the town hall.
Knowing the procedure for a prior declaration of window work allows you to anticipate the documents to attach and avoid requests for additional information that prolong the processing times.
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Online submission or at the town hall: what the urban planning tele-service changes
Since 2022, municipalities with more than 3,500 inhabitants must accept online submissions of prior declarations. Several local authorities, including Strasbourg, offer a Digital Counter for Urban Planning Authorizations (GNAU) with digital tracking: automatic acknowledgment of receipt, notification of missing documents, exchanges with the reviewer.
Paper submission remains possible everywhere, including in large cities. However, the shift to digital offers a concrete advantage: each step of the processing is time-stamped, which facilitates tracking the legal processing times.
Processing time and absence of response
The standard processing time for a prior declaration is one month from the receipt of a complete file. In protected areas (perimeter of a historic monument, classified site, safeguarded sector), this period extends to two months because the file goes through the Architect of the Buildings of France (ABF).
If the town hall does not respond within this time frame, the prior declaration is deemed accepted. Be careful: always request a certificate of non-opposition to have written proof. A tacit agreement without documentary evidence complicates matters in case of subsequent disputes or resale of the property.
PLU and protected area: the constraints that determine your file
The local urban planning plan (PLU) of your municipality sets the rules applicable to your project. Some PLUs impose specific materials (wood, lacquered aluminum in a precise shade), proportions of glazing, or even prohibit PVC on the street-facing facade. These requirements vary from one municipality to another and sometimes from one neighborhood to another within the same city.
In Paris, for example, the rules regarding shutters, blinds, and exterior joinery are governed by specific provisions that can even require an exact color. In other municipalities, the only constraint is harmony with the existing building, without detailed technical specifications.
The role of the ABF in protected sectors
The opinion of the Architect of the Buildings of France is binding in protected areas. The town hall’s reviewing service cannot issue the authorization without this favorable opinion. This means that your choice of windows (material, color, type of opening, dimensions of the small woods) must be validated in advance.
Field feedback shows that the requirements of the ABF vary by department and practitioners. In some areas, a simple identical replacement passes without difficulty. In others, even a change of hardware visible from the public road may be subject to observations. Anticipating this point before ordering your joinery avoids additional costs related to a modification of the order.
Documents required for the prior declaration file for window replacement
The file to be compiled depends on the exact nature of the project and the location of the housing. Here are the documents generally requested:
- The completed Cerfa 16702*02 form, with identification of the cadastral parcel and description of the project (number of windows concerned, materials, colors)
- A site plan of the land in the municipality, allowing for the location of the building
- A mass plan or facade plan showing the location of the modified openings, with dimensions before and after work
- A photo of the existing state of the facade, taken from the public road or a distant viewpoint allowing the building to be situated in its environment
- A graphic document (landscape insertion or simulation) showing the future appearance of the building after window replacement
In a co-ownership, prior authorization from the general assembly of co-owners is often necessary before submission to the town hall. Submitting the prior declaration without this agreement exposes you to a refusal or a subsequent challenge by the property manager.
Common mistakes that lead to requests for additional documents
The most common file returns concern insufficient photos (too close, not showing the urban context), the absence of a dimensioned facade plan, or a poorly filled form regarding the description of materials. An incomplete file restarts the processing time from the beginning, which can delay the start of work by several weeks.
- Check that the dimensions of the facade correspond to the actual measurements (height of the sill, width of the bay)
- Specify the exact RAL color of the planned joinery, not an approximate description
- Attach a site plan at a readable scale, usually 1/5,000 or 1/25,000
Window replacement remains one of the most common renovation projects, but the rigor of the administrative file conditions adherence to the schedule. An up-to-date form, a submission adapted to your municipality’s tele-service, and a prior check of the PLU are sufficient to secure the process. In protected areas, early dialogue with the ABF remains the determining factor to avoid back-and-forth.