Maritime container and regulations

What authorization is required for a maritime container?

The container, used mainly as storage space (for businesses and individuals) or shed in the garden, has become a real trend due to its mobility, its modularity and its very economical cost compared to construction.

However, it is essential to respect town planning rules, because not everything is permitted in this area.

The term “container” is not legally defined and is therefore not specifically regulated by the town planning code. However, as a construction, it is subject to town planning regulations.

Therefore, to install a container, planning permission must be obtained.

The type of authorization required depends on the situation:

1. Insulated container (not connected to an existing construction):
   • For a container with a footprint between 5 m² and 20 m², container 8 feet to 20 feet, a prior declaration of works is simply necessary.
   • Beyond 20 m² of floor space, from the container 40 feet, a building permit is required.
2. Juxtaposed container to an existing construction or architecturally linked:
   • In urban areas, a prior declaration of works is sufficient up to 40 m² of footprint, provided that the total constructed surface area on the plot does not exceed 150 m².
   • Beyond 40 m² of footprint, a building permit is required in urban areas.
   • In agricultural zones, a prior declaration of work is sufficient for a container with a footprint of less than 20 m².
   • A building permit is required for an agricultural container exceeding 20 m² of footprint.

Certain conditions must be met to obtain this planning permission. If the municipality has an urban planning document (Local Urban Planning Plan), it is important to refer to it. Otherwise, the National Urban Planning Regulations apply. If a Risk Prevention Plan is in force, it must also be taken into account.

In agricultural areas, it will generally be necessary to demonstrate that the container is necessary for agricultural activity, for example as storage space for tools or crops.

In urban areas, in the city for example, the container must respect all the rules of the town planning document, particularly with regard to the appearance of the facades and its integration into the environment. The municipality can specify a color or ask you for wooden cladding, for example. Depending on its use as a home and its size, it must also comply with the RT 2012 standard relating to thermal regulations.

There are many container projects/constructions in France that you can easily find via your internet search engine. (For example : HERE)