Conseil d’Etat rules on notification for fraudulent building permit withdrawals

The French Conseil d’Etat has ruled that requests to withdraw a building permit obtained through fraud must be formally notified, in accordance with Article R. 600-1 of the Urban Planning Code.

The case involved a construction permit issued by the Mayor of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés to Société Villa Pasquier for a twenty-unit housing project. The High Court overturned a lower court decision, clarifying that a request to withdraw a permit—even one filed after the litigation period has expired on the grounds of fraud—constitutes an administrative appeal. Consequently, the requester must notify the parties involved to ensure the legality of any subsequent legal challenges if the request is rejected.