Short-term let rules in Conwy (updated 1 Nov 2026)
Last checked: 6 official source pages for this council scanned automatically for changes on 2 Nov 2026What changed
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Dates we're watching for Conwy (1)
- 31 Mar 2027: WRA registration deadline
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What changed (1 Nov 2026): Now tracked: Eryri National Park Authority's Article 4 direction, in force since 1 June 2025, on the Gwynedd and Conwy pages. Inside the National Park, planning permission is needed to change a main home (C3) into a second home (C5) or short-term holiday let (C6), and to switch between C5 and C6. Homes already used as a second home or holiday let before 1 June 2025 are not affected. Cyngor Gwynedd's own direction stays quashed, and Conwy County Borough Council has not confirmed one for the area outside the park. Source 路 Get free alerts
Visitor levy decision deferred by Full Council on 24 Sep 2026. Council tax second-home premium of 150% (250% of the standard bill) kept for 2026-27 and 2027-28. Parts of Conwy inside Eryri National Park: the park authority's Article 4 direction has applied since 1 Jun 2025 (planning permission needed to change a main home to a second home or holiday let). The council has not confirmed any Article 4 direction for the rest of the county.
Licensing or registration
Registration requiredNo council licence yet. Wales-wide: if you take bookings of 31 nights or fewer you must register with the Welsh Revenue Authority by 31 Mar 2027 (free, applies even with no council levy).
A national licensing scheme is legislated but not in force (default commencement March 2030). Check if you must register 路 What the licensing Act will require.
Control area / planning
AppliesInside Eryri National Park (part of Conwy), the park authority's Article 4 direction has been in force since 1 Jun 2025: planning permission is needed to change a main home (C3) into a second home (C5) or short-term holiday let (C6), or to switch between C5 and C6.
Homes already used that way before 1 Jun 2025 are not affected. For the rest of Conwy, the park authority says Conwy County Borough Council has not confirmed whether it will introduce an Article 4 direction, and we found none on the council's site (checked 23 Oct 2026; Eryri page checked 1 Nov 2026).
Source: source
Visitor levy
None foundNo levy yet. Full Council on 24 Sep 2026 deferred any decision until more evidence and practical experience from levies elsewhere in Wales are available. Its consultation ran 20 May to 17 Jul 2026. Any Welsh levy needs 12 months' notice before it starts.
Fees
WRA registration is free. Council tax second-home premium: 150% on top of the standard charge (250% in total), retained for 2026-27 and 2027-28 (decided 23 Oct 2025).
No discount for second homes or holiday homes. Exceptions include Class 5 (occupied caravan pitches and boat moorings) and Class 6 (seasonal homes or holiday lets where year-round occupation is prohibited, for example by a planning condition).
Source: source
What changed in Conwy
- Now tracked: Eryri National Park Authority's Article 4 direction, in force since 1 June 2025, on the Gwynedd and Conwy pages. Inside the National Park, planning permission is needed to change a main home (C3) into a second home (C5) or short-term holiday let (C6), and to switch between C5 and C6. Homes already used as a second home or holiday let before 1 June 2025 are not affected. Cyngor Gwynedd's own direction stays quashed, and Conwy County Borough Council has not confirmed one for the area outside the park. Official source
- Rules on this page last checked in full against the official sources listed above.
- Isle of Anglesey decides not to introduce a visitor levy at present; Conwy defers any decision. Cardiff remains the only Welsh council charging the levy. Official source
Newest first. Every UK change is in the changes log. Nothing here is legal advice: check the official source before acting.
Wales guides and tools
- Do I need to register with the WRA? 4-question checker
- Second homes council tax premium in Wales: rates, the 182-night test and exceptions
- Business rates or council tax? Occupancy threshold tracker
- Holiday let fire safety in Wales: what you need and a checklist
- Wales licensing scheme (2026 Act, legal default March 2030): who needs a licence
- How holiday lets are taxed since the FHL regime ended
Not sure what applies to your let? Use the free licence checker: pick your nation, council and type of let for a plain-English answer with the official source.
Buying here? See the buyer checks for Conwy: licence or registration, planning, visitor levy, business rates or council tax, plus the lender, insurance and title checks to make before you buy.
Key dates
- 1 Jun 2025: Eryri National Park Article 4 direction in force (park area only)
- 23 Oct 2025: 150% premium retained for 2026-27 and 2027-28
- 24 Sep 2026: visitor levy decision deferred
- 31 Mar 2027: WRA registration deadline
Conwy short-let rules: quick answers
Do I need a licence or registration for a short-term let in Conwy?
No council licence yet. Wales-wide: if you take bookings of 31 nights or fewer you must register with the Welsh Revenue Authority by 31 Mar 2027 (free, applies even with no council levy). A national licensing scheme is legislated but not in force (default commencement March 2030). Check if you must register 路 What the licensing Act will require.
Do I need planning permission for a short-term let in Conwy?
Inside Eryri National Park (part of Conwy), the park authority's Article 4 direction has been in force since 1 Jun 2025: planning permission is needed to change a main home (C3) into a second home (C5) or short-term holiday let (C6), or to switch between C5 and C6. Homes already used that way before 1 Jun 2025 are not affected. For the rest of Conwy, the park authority says Conwy County Borough Council has not confirmed whether it will introduce an Article 4 direction, and we found none on the council's site (checked 23 Oct 2026; Eryri page checked 1 Nov 2026).
Is there a visitor levy (tourist tax) in Conwy?
No levy yet. Full Council on 24 Sep 2026 deferred any decision until more evidence and practical experience from levies elsewhere in Wales are available. Its consultation ran 20 May to 17 Jul 2026. Any Welsh levy needs 12 months' notice before it starts.
What fees apply to short-term lets in Conwy?
WRA registration is free. Council tax second-home premium: 150% on top of the standard charge (250% in total), retained for 2026-27 and 2027-28 (decided 23 Oct 2025). No discount for second homes or holiday homes. Exceptions include Class 5 (occupied caravan pitches and boat moorings) and Class 6 (seasonal homes or holiday lets where year-round occupation is prohibited, for example by a planning condition).
Answers summarise the sections above. Follow each section's official source before acting.
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