Coastal planning guide

    Outstanding natural areas on the Corsican coast and undeveloped buffer zones

    Some coastal areas are protected as outstanding natural areas: protection is almost absolute, extending well beyond the 100-metre strip.

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

    What the protection covers

    Sites and landscapes characteristic of coastal heritage are designated as areas of outstanding character: dunes, beaches, marshes, waterside forests, islets and the natural parts of listed or protected sites. Only minor works, exhaustively listed by decree, are permitted: footpaths, observation facilities and removable installations for public access.

    Undeveloped breaks between built-up areas

    PLUs must provide for undeveloped breaks: natural areas separating built-up areas to prevent continuous development along the shore. A plot within one of these breaks remains unbuildable even if there are buildings on either side.

    Existing buildings

    A house lawfully built before the designation can generally be maintained and, depending on the circumstances, undergo limited works. It therefore retains genuine market value — often higher than that of an equivalent property in an ordinary zone, thanks to its scarcity and protected surroundings.

    Points to check

    • Identifying protected areas of outstanding character on the plot being sold
    • Reflecting the rarity of an existing building in a protected site in its valuation
    • A firm refusal to market land as buildable without verification
    • Complete sales pack provided to the buyer: zoning, easements, planning certificate (CU)

    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 an exemption be granted in a protected area of outstanding natural interest?

    The options are extremely restricted and limited to the light development works listed by decree. Residential projects are not included.

    Does a property in a designated outstanding natural area sell for less?

    Bare land, yes, considerably so. An existing lawful house, on the other hand, may command a scarcity premium thanks to permanently protected surroundings.

    How do I know whether my plot is affected?

    The PLU zoning map and the PADDUC specify this. The town hall issues an information planning certificate setting out the applicable easements and restrictions.

    Poursuivre

    The loi Littoral coastal planning law in Corsica

    The PADDUC

    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.