Can I make a complaint about my neighbour’s poultry farm in France?

Reader Question: Soon after moving into our new home the neighbour set up a makeshift poultry farm a few metres from our bedroom window. It smells awful, is noisy, and has led to fly infestations. Is this is legal? And who can we complain to?

From your description, this could constitute a case of illegal neighbourhood disturbance (trouble anormal de voisinage) for noise or smell-related issues. 

Firstly, speak to your neighbour to see if you can resolve this amicably (by them moving the installation, putting up extra protection, etc). 

You could also send them a letter formally requesting them to act within a certain period (by registered post with reception slip).

If this fails, you can speak to the municipal police or gendarmes to see if they can verify your complaint, and potentially levy a fine. 

If the issue persists, suing your neighbour is an option. Paying a commissaire de justice – bailiff – to take an official note of the situation can help back up the case.

Note, however, that the law applies a certain tolerance for what are considered to be the usual noises, smells etc related to animals and rural life in less densely-populated areas. 

A 2024 law also clarified that nuisance complaints cannot be made with regard to installations that existed before a person bought their property (though this does not appear to be the case here). 

This rule was recently reiterated by a court in southern France after newly-installed residents complained about the sound of a neighbour’s ducks. 

In your case it may help to check whether the structure itself is legal. 

Generally, unless your neighbour is a professional farmer, there is a limit on the number of animals they can raise in a garden before strict regulations come into force. 

Generally, no specific permit is required for small backyard farms (basse-cour) for personal/family needs, providing they contain no more than the equivalent of around 50 adult hens.

Above this however, authorisation is usually required as the project is assumed to be a professional farm.

This requires approval from officials at departmental level (usually the direction départemental de protection des populations; DDPP). 

Local rules on animal keeping will be found in the règlement sanitaire départental (search for this online with your department’s name), often including the fact that professional poultry installations must be at least 25m from homes.

The keeping of animals for food purposes is also subject to rules requiring them to be kept in good health and suitable conditions (eg. a 1982 regulation and the rural code, article L214-1) including having adequate protection from bad weather and predators.

If it seems your neighbour is breaking these rules, you could report this to the police or DDPP.