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Building, engineering and installation work at your house

Last updated
17 Nov 2025

You may want to add or install something in the garden or grounds of your house.

This could include:

  • garden works
  • free-standing solar panels
  • a flag pole
  • a swimming pool
  • an oil tank

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

Before you add anything to your house, check if you need to apply for planning permission.

Some installations like this do not need planning permission. This is because they meet a set of rules called 'permitted development'.

The permitted development rules are:

  • it's located at the back of the house
  • it is not closer to a road at the front or side of the house, if the front or side house faces onto a road
  • it is not taller than 3 metres
  • depending on where the works are taking place, they and any other development, do not take up half or more of the grounds behind or in front of your house. This is known as the 'rear curtilage' or 'front curtilage'
  • it is not in a conservation area or within the grounds of a listed building

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

Planning permission

If what 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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