Coastal planning guide

    The loi Littoral coastal planning law in Corsica: what it actually prohibits

    Adopted in 1986, the loi Littoral (French coastal planning law) applies throughout all Corsican communes bordering the sea. It does not prohibit building: it regulates it according to distance from the shore and continuity with existing development.

    Have my plot checked Local development plans (PLU) by commune

    The three circles to know

    The 100-metre strip measured from the shoreline outside built-up areas, where all new construction is prohibited in principle. Areas close to the shore, where only limited development is permitted, with justification in the local development plan (PLU). The rest of the commune, where development must be contiguous with existing built-up areas and villages.

    Continuity with existing built-up areas: the deciding factor

    Since the loi ELAN of 2018, new buildings are only permitted as extensions to existing towns and villages, while « already urbanised areas » may only accommodate infill development. An isolated plot among a few scattered houses is therefore not buildable, even if it has utility connections and was previously designated for development.

    The practical impact on value

    The difference in value between a buildable plot and the same plot in a natural coastal zone commonly ranges from 1 to 10. Selling or buying without checking zoning and coastal easements means getting the value wrong by several hundred thousand euros — or having a preliminary sale agreement cancelled.

    Points to check

    • Checking local development plan (PLU) zoning and coastal easements before putting the property on the market
    • A clear distinction between actual and assumed development potential
    • A valuation reflecting the constraints, not the neighbour's dream price
    • Consistent reference to the legally authoritative document held at the town hall

    Free check

    Local development plan (PLU) zoning, PADDUC, outstanding protected areas, easements: we review the documents applicable to your plot and call you back with a realistic valuation.

    For guidance only: only the planning certificate issued by the town hall can be relied on legally.

    Non-contractual information: only the planning certificate issued by the town hall is authoritative. Data controller: Corse Patrimoine Immobilier, Porto-Vecchio. Purpose: responding to your request for checks and sales follow-up. Retention: 3 years from the last contact. Rights of access, rectification, erasure, objection and restriction of processing, and the right to lodge a complaint with the CNIL, the French data protection authority. Details in our privacy policy .

    Frequently asked questions

    Can you build within the 100-metre coastal strip in Corsica?

    Outside already developed areas, no: new buildings and installations are prohibited there, except for strictly regulated exceptions relating to activities requiring immediate proximity to the water.

    Can I extend an existing house in a coastal zone?

    A limited extension is sometimes possible, depending on the local development plan (PLU) zoning and the location. The answer depends on the planning document in force: only the planning certificate issued by the town hall establishes this.

    Can land connected to utilities always be built on?

    No. Connecting land to utilities creates no right to build. Only the zoning in the PLU local development plan, combined with the rules of the loi Littoral and PADDUC, determines building potential.

    Poursuivre

    The PADDUC

    Outstanding natural areas and undeveloped buffer zones

    Selling land without building rights

    Local development plan (PLU) for Porto-Vecchio

    Local development plan (PLU) for Bonifacio

    Local development plan (PLU) for Ajaccio

    Local development plan (PLU) for Bastia

    Local development plan (PLU) for Calvi

    Local development plan (PLU) for Sartène

    Corse Patrimoine Immobilier ·

    loi Littoral: check the plot, not just the commune

    A location's coastal status alone does not determine whether a plot can be built on or altered. Check the legally binding documents and restrictions affecting the exact address, then consult the competent authority.

    For your local project, see the recorded property sales (DVF) in Porto-Vecchio, the steps involved in buying in Porto-Vecchio or selling in Porto-Vecchio. Also compare listings and areas in Bonifacio and the property market in Lecci.

    To distinguish between the procedures: acquisition costs · inheritance and joint ownership · loi Littoral · property taxation.

    Official sources consulted on 25 October 2026: Notaires de France · Service-Public, inheritance · Géoportail de l’urbanisme planning portal · DGFiP. The rules applicable to your circumstances must be confirmed; the agency is not affiliated with a notary’s office.