You appear to be using an unsupported browser, and it may not be able to display this site properly. You may wish to upgrade your browser.

We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Getting planning permission

Do I need planning permission?

Last updated
4 Sep 2019

If you want to carry out building work you may need planning permission.

You should always check with your planning authority about whether you need to apply for planning permission for building work.

Aberdeen City Council Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Argyll and Bute Council Cairngorms National Park Authority Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) Dumfries & Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Edinburgh Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow City Council Highland Council Inverclyde Council Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Islands Council Perth & Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council Shetland Islands Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council West Lothian Council

The following information is guidance only.

Planning permission needed

You may need planning permission if:

  • you want to build something new
  • you want to make a major change to your building – like building an extension
  • you want to change the use of your building
  • your building is in a conservation area (you may need 'conservation area consent')
  • your building is a listed building (you may need 'listed building consent')

Find out if your building is in a conservation area by contacting your Planning Authority.

Find out if your building is a listed building by checking Historic Scotland's listed building search or contacting your Planning Authority.

Aberdeen City Council Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Argyll and Bute Council Cairngorms National Park Authority Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) Dumfries & Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Edinburgh Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow City Council Highland Council Inverclyde Council Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Islands Council Perth & Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council Shetland Islands Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council West Lothian Council

Planning application not needed

Smaller building projects that do not impact on the surrounding area might not need a planning application. This is called 'permitted development'.

Permitted development rights are granted so that many instances of small alterations and extensions can be carried out without needing to apply for planning permission.

Find out if the building works you want to carry out meet the rules for permitted development.

If your project needs planning permission and you do the work without getting permission first, you may be served an 'enforcement notice'.

It's illegal to ignore enforcement notices but you can appeal against them.

Back to top