What is permitted development

You don’t need planning permission for some building work.

You can find examples of common projects at the Planning Portal. This will tell you if your project is covered by permitted development, which means you won’t need planning permission.

Permitted development restrictions

If you live in certain parts of Bristol, permitted development won’t apply to you, so you will still need to get planning permission. Find out if there are restrictions on permitted development in your area.

Residential permitted development rights only apply to houses. If you live in a flat, maisonette or “house” above a basement flat, it’s likely that you will need planning permission for an external extension or alteration.

Single storey rear extensions

Until May 2019, you can build larger single storey rear extensions under permitted development, if you do not live in a conservation area. The size of the extension you can build depends on your property:

• on an attached house: three to six metres
• on a detached house: four to eight metres

Your extension must meet all other conditions that usually apply to extensions under permitted development.

You must fill out the householder development prior notification form (pdf, 103k) (opens new window)   and return it to us. You may still need to obtain other consents, for example under building regulations or Party Wall Acts. Find out about the Party Wall etc Act 1996 at GOV.UK.

Privacy statement

Read our privacy statement and our Development Management: planning and enforcement privacy notice to see what we do with your personal information.