Add an extension to your house

If you want to add an extension to your house, check if you need to apply for planning permission.

This guidance only applies if your home is a dwellinghouse. This means it's a house you live in and is not used for business purposes.

Permitted development

You do not need to apply for planning permission if the extension meets certain rules. This is called 'permitted development'.

Permitted development depends on how many storeys (levels) your extension will have.

Single-storey extensions

If your extension will have one storey, you do not need planning permission if:

it's located at the back of the house
it does not go back further than 3 metres if it's a terraced house, or 4 metres if it is not
the height of the eaves (where the wall meets the roof) is no higher than 3 metres
it is not higher than 4 metres, including sloping roofs
it does not cover more ground area than the original house did
it, and any other development, does not take up half or more of the grounds behind your home - known as the 'rear curtilage'
it is not within a conservation area

Multi-storey extensions

If your extension will have more than one storey, you do not need to apply for planning permission for it if:

it's located at the back of the house
there's at least 10 metres between the extension and the boundaries of your grounds
it is not higher than your house (excluding chimneys)
it does not cover more ground area than the original house did
it, and any other development, does not take up half or more of the grounds behind your home - known as the 'rear curtilage'
it is not within a conservation area

Read the Householder permitted development rights guidance on gov.scot to find out more about:

circumstances where a development qualifies as permitted development
instances where other restrictions apply

Planning permission

If the extension you want to add is not permitted development, you must apply for planning permission.

Find out how to apply for planning permission. You can also contact your local council for further information.

Planning permission

Always check with your council to confirm if you need planning permission. Even if you meet the permitted development rules, there might be other approvals you'll need to get.

Other approvals

You may need other approvals before starting work. For example, your local council might ask for building regulation approval.

If you do not own the land, you must get the landowner’s permission (for example, if you’re a tenant or share ownership).

If your home is a listed building, you’ll also need listed building consent.

It’s your responsibility to make sure you have all the approvals you need.

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Information

Permitted development

Single-storey extensions

Multi-storey extensions

Planning permission

Other approvals