What permitted development is
Some types of building work are known as ‘permitted development’, which means you do not need planning permission for them.
How to check if your project is permitted development
Check with us
You should always check with us if you need planning permission before moving forward with a project. It’s better to contact us before you’ve started the work than to learn that there’s a problem later on.
Get formal confirmation
We can give you advice, but it will not be formal confirmation.
It’s optional, but if you want formal and legally binding confirmation that planning permission is not needed for your development, you must apply for a certificate of lawfulness through ePlanning Scotland.
Permitted development for domestic properties
‘Domestic properties’ are homes.
The Scottish Government has listed some examples of domestic building projects that may not need an application for planning permission if they meet the rules for being permitted development.
View a list of permitted development examples for domestic properties (Scottish Government website).
The Scottish Government has a detailed guide on permitted development rights for householders.
View a guide on permitted development rights for householders (Scottish Government website).
Permitted development for non-domestic properties
‘Non-domestic properties’ are places that are not homes, such as shops, farms, or industrial sites.
The Scottish Government has listed some examples of non-domestic building projects that may not need an application for planning permission if they meet the rules for being permitted development.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 lists the full details on your permitted development rights, including for domestic and non-domestic properties.
View permitted development legislation (legislation.gov.uk).
When permitted development rights do not apply
Permitted development rights have been removed from certain properties, such as when:
- certain conditions were part of a previous planning permission (you should always check any previous consents before starting your work)
- the property is in a conservation area
- the building is listed.
Check our online planning map to see where permitted development rights have been removed. You can also see the locations of conservation areas and listed buildings.
Other types of planning consent
Even if you do not need planning permission, you may still need other types of planning ‘consent’ (approval) from us.
Listed buildings
You’ll need listed building consent for any work being done to the inside or outside of a listed building that affects the building’s special architectural or historic interest.
Check if you need listed building consent.
Advertisements
The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Regulations 1984 lists the types of advertisements that you can display without getting our consent – for example, deemed consent. You’ll need advertisement consent before displaying any other types of advertisement.
View planning rules for advertisements (legislation.gov.uk).
Apply on the ePlanning Scotland website.
Trees
You’ll need to get our consent for any work to a tree if the tree is:
- covered by a tree preservation order
- in a conservation area.
Check our online planning map to see where tree preservation orders and conservation areas are located in Renfrewshire. You can also see the locations of conservation areas and listed buildings.
Apply on the ePlanning Scotland website.
Even if the work to a tree does not need our consent, you should still get permission from the landowner if you do not own the tree.
Other types of consent from us
Separate from planning permission, you may need other types of consent (approval) from us for your project. Find out more about:
It's important to note that planning permission does not give or authorise you any separate legal right to undertake the development. It's your responsibility to ensure that you're able to implement your development.