Permitted development rights

You can carry out some small alterations and extensions to your house or in your garden without planning permission under permitted development.

Examples of permitted development

Examples of permitted development rights include:

• single storey ground floor extensions
• ground floor extensions of more than one storey
• construction or alteration of a porch
• alteration of a roof
• access ramps
• paving, patios, driveways, decking and raised platforms

The Scottish Government has guidance on common types of projects and whether they need planning permission:

• Householder permitted development rights: guidance – Scottish Government
• Permitted development guidance: flowcharts – Scottish Government

Removal of permitted development rights

Permitted development rights may have been removed from certain sites or properties. 

There are a number of reasons that general permitted development rights will not apply, such as conditions attached to previous permission. You should check the conditions on any existing planning permission for the site.

Get some advice on permitted development

Make a permitted development enquiry

The fee for this service is £50.

View the permitted development enquiry guidance notes in the planning application documents section.

What happens next

Once we receive your completed permitted development enquiry and fee, we will acknowledge it and inform you of the planning officer dealing with your enquiry. 

If you have any queries throughout the process, please ask your planning officer. The direct contact details of the officer can be found at the top of your acknowledgement letter.

Once the planning officer has assessed your enquiry, you will receive a written response.

Apply for a certificate of lawfulness

If you want formal confirmation that your proposals do not require planning permission, apply for a certificate of lawfulness.

Apply for a certificate of lawfulness on the eDevelopment Scotland website

The fee for this will be higher and the decision will take longer than the above service. However, this certificate may be required if, for example, you are selling a property.

Apply for a building warrant

Even if you do not require planning permission, you may still need to apply for a building warrant.