Reception tent in your garden: do you need permission?

Article R*421-5 of the planning code exempts from any formality constructions that remain in place for no more than three months. Service-Public applies this principle to temporary garden annexes (garden shelter, swing seat, light play structure), exempt from formalities and from the development tax and the preventive archaeology tax. A reception tent, also a temporary installation, falls under the same principle of article R*421-5.

A reception tent put up on Thursday and taken down the following Monday falls well within that frame. The period runs from setup to removal, so keep it in mind if the tent stays up for several weeks during a busy party season. When the period ends, the structure must be removed and the land returned to its original condition.

In protected areas, the period without formalities is limited to fifteen days (article R*421-7 of the planning code). Service-Public mentions classified sites, heritage sites and the surroundings of listed monuments, and the text adds any perimeter the municipal council has defined by resolution. A party weekend stays within that limit; a month-long installation does not.

Not sure whether your street is affected? Ask the planning department at your town hall before you book: it is a quick question, and the answer determines how long you can plan to keep the tent up.

The fire and panic safety rules for public-access buildings (ERP) include articles dedicated to tents and structures, known as CTS. Under article CTS 1, they cover touring soft-covered establishments with a public capacity of at least 50 people. Between 20 and 49 people, only article CTS 37 applies.

The construction and housing code defines an ERP as all buildings, premises and enclosures where people are admitted, freely, on payment of a contribution, or where meetings open to everyone or by invitation are held, paying or not (article R143-2). A family or friends reception sits in a grey area: if you are hosting several dozen people, or the event goes beyond a private circle, ask the town hall which regime applies.

For structures that receive the public, the procedures (safety register extract, mayor's authorisation) are covered in our article on marquee authorisations.

A tent does not exempt you from respecting your neighbours. Service-Public points out that there is no national time slot during which noise is allowed without limit: night-time disturbance covers 10 pm to 7 am, and the mayor may set additional rules by order. A fine of up to €450 applies, and the items causing the noise can be seized.

The official sheet's advice is simple: if you hold a party, by day or by night, it is better to tell your neighbours so that they tolerate the noise. A note through the letterbox a few days beforehand, with the planned finishing time, is often enough.

According to Service-Public, the civil liability cover of a home insurance policy applies to damage caused by you, your spouse, your children, your pets or items in your care. It does not cover damage linked to a professional activity.

Before the event, reread your policy or call your insurer to ask whether a reception with a tent set up at home is covered, and what changes if the tent is hired. Ask the hire company the same question: what falls to them during the hire period should be written in your quote.

In order, a week or two before asking for a quote:

If you are hosting more than 20 people, keep this list at hand when you speak to the town hall and the hire company.