Short-term let rules in West Dunbartonshire (updated 29 Oct 2026)
Last checked: 6 official source pages for this council scanned automatically for changes on 2 Nov 2026What changed
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Licensing, planning, visitor levy and fees in West Dunbartonshire, checked against official sources. Free, unsubscribe any time.
Dates we're watching for West Dunbartonshire (1)
- 1 Jul 2027: levy starts
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What changed (1 Oct 2026): Aberdeen (7%) and West Dunbartonshire (5%) visitor levies: bookings made from today are liable for stays from 1 Apr 2027 and 1 Jul 2027. Source · Get free alerts
5% visitor levy on the whole stay from 1 Jul 2027 (bookings made and paid for from 1 Oct 2026). No control area. Licence grant or renewal £929.
Licensing or registration
AppliesLicence needed (Scotland-wide). All short-term lets (secondary letting, home letting, home sharing) need a licence from the council before taking bookings or guests. Step-by-step licence guide and checklist. Apply online for grant or renewal; upload a 1:50 layout plan, gas and electrical certificates and the fire safety checklist with the application.
Control area / planning
None foundNo control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland).
Applications are sent to the council's planning department, or to the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park planning authority where appropriate. Include planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness where applicable.
Visitor levy
AppliesApproved: 5% (before VAT) on the whole stay, for stays from 1 Jul 2027. Applies to bookings made (and paid for in part or full) from 1 Oct 2026. Providers keep 1.5%.
Fees
Grant and renewal application £929.00. Provisional £697.00, confirmation £232.00, transfer £61.00, Environmental Health inspection £60.00. Fees from 1 Apr 2026.
Compare West Dunbartonshire's licence fees with other Scottish councils
What changed in West Dunbartonshire
- Rules on this page last checked in full against the official sources listed above.
- Aberdeen (7%) and West Dunbartonshire (5%) visitor levies: bookings made from today are liable for stays from 1 Apr 2027 and 1 Jul 2027. Official source
Newest first. Every UK change is in the changes log. Nothing here is legal advice: check the official source before acting.
Scotland tools
- Compare licence fees across all 32 Scottish councils
- How to get a short-term let licence (steps and checklist)
- Business rates or council tax? 140/70 nights checker
- Fire safety for short-term lets (alarms, doors, checklist)
- Insurance: the buildings and public liability licence condition
- Visitor levy map
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 West Dunbartonshire: 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 Apr 2026: current licence fees
- 1 Oct 2026: bookings made from this date are liable to the levy
- 1 Jul 2027: levy starts
West Dunbartonshire short-let rules: quick answers
Do I need a short-term let licence in West Dunbartonshire?
Licence needed (Scotland-wide). All short-term lets (secondary letting, home letting, home sharing) need a licence from the council before taking bookings or guests. Step-by-step licence guide and checklist. Apply online for grant or renewal; upload a 1:50 layout plan, gas and electrical certificates and the fire safety checklist with the application.
Do I need planning permission for a short-term let in West Dunbartonshire?
No control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland). Applications are sent to the council's planning department, or to the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park planning authority where appropriate. Include planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness where applicable.
Is there a visitor levy (tourist tax) in West Dunbartonshire?
Approved: 5% (before VAT) on the whole stay, for stays from 1 Jul 2027. Applies to bookings made (and paid for in part or full) from 1 Oct 2026. Providers keep 1.5%.
How much does a short-term let licence cost in West Dunbartonshire?
Grant and renewal application £929.00. Provisional £697.00, confirmation £232.00, transfer £61.00, Environmental Health inspection £60.00. Fees from 1 Apr 2026.
Answers summarise the sections above. Follow each section's official source before acting.
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