Short-let planning permission by council (UK)
Which councils need planning permission for short lets?
Only a few UK areas have a planning rule that covers short lets across the area: the City of Edinburgh and part of Highland (control areas), Greater London (over 90 nights a year) and, in Wales, Eryri National Park (Article 4 direction). Elsewhere your council decides case by case whether a let is a material change of use, and some councils have local policies. Of the 96 council areas below, 5 have an area rule in force (in all or part), 10 have a local planning policy in force and 9 have a proposal or review under way.
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Councils with a specific planning rule or proposal
Each row summarises the planning section of the council page, with its official source. Statuses: Permission needed (area rule in force) Local planning policy in force Proposed or under review.
| Council | Nation | Status | What applies (summary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater London (all boroughs) | England | Permission needed (area rule in force) | Letting a whole home short term for more than 90 nights in a calendar year needs planning permission (Deregulation Act 2015, s44). Count your nights. Source |
| City of Edinburgh | Scotland | Permission needed (area rule in force) | The whole city has been a short-term let control area since 5 Sep 2022. Using a whole dwelling that isn't your main home as a short-term let very likely needs planning permission. Source |
| Highland | Scotland | Permission needed (area rule in force) | Badenoch & Strathspey ward is a control area (since 4 Mar 2024). On 28 Sep 2026 the council agreed to send Scottish Ministers proposals for Inverness City and Highland Rural control areas (proposals only, not in force). Source |
| Conwy | Wales | Permission needed (area rule in force) | Inside Eryri National Park (part of Conwy), the park's Article 4 direction (since 1 Jun 2025) means changing a main home into a second home or short-term let needs planning permission. None found for the rest of Conwy. Source |
| Gwynedd | Wales | Permission needed (area rule in force) | Inside Eryri National Park, an Article 4 direction (in force since 1 Jun 2025) means changing a main home (C3) into a second home (C5) or short-term let (C6), or switching between C5 and C6, needs planning permission. Outside the park, Cyngor Gwynedd's own direction was quashed and is not in force. Source |
| Blackpool | England | Local planning policy in force | The council says most Airbnb-style holiday lets need planning permission: self-contained holiday flats and houses with no on-site management are a sui generis use. Outside the Town Centre, Resort Core and 6 Holiday Accommodation Areas, permission "generally will not be granted". Source |
| Cambridge | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan 2018 Policy 3 allows changing housing to other uses only in exceptional circumstances; in Jan 2018 officers recommended enforcement notices against 13 flats used as short-term visitor accommodation. Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan Policy J/VA would go further (not in force). Source |
| Chichester | England | Local planning policy in force | In West Wittering parish, Neighbourhood Plan Policy WW5 (made 28 Nov 2023) only supports new open-market homes limited to use as a principal residence. Elsewhere, decided case by case; no district-wide holiday-let policy found. Source |
| Derbyshire Dales | England | Local planning policy in force | Inside the Peak District National Park, Policy DMR3 restricts new self-catering accommodation outside named settlements to holiday use. A draft primary residence clause on new housing is not adopted. Source |
| Great Yarmouth | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan Part 2 Policy L1 works the other way: in Holiday Accommodation Areas the council resists changing holiday accommodation to non-tourist uses. New holiday units usually carry holiday-only conditions. Source |
| Isles of Scilly | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan 2015-2030: converting a property for tourism must not lose homes available for permanent occupation unless there are wider public benefits (Policy WC5), and replacement dwellings, extensions or alterations must not include self-contained holiday letting accommodation unless already lawful (Policy LC8). Source |
| Oxford | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan 2036 Policies V5 and H5: new short-stay accommodation only in set locations and with no loss of a home. A planning inspector upheld an enforcement notice against a Headington house run as a short-term let (11 Dec 2024). Source |
| Sefton | England | Local planning policy in force | Short Term Holiday Lets SPD (adopted 5 Dec 2024): a home let whole to one family-sized group is unlikely to need permission, but letting rooms separately, adding bedrooms or larger groups is likely to. In Primarily Residential Areas a conversion is refused if 5% of properties within 100 m are already short lets, flats or HMOs. Source |
| Teignbridge | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan 2020-2040 (adopted 19 May 2026): new-build homes in Bishopsteignton, Dawlish, Shaldon, Stokeinteignhead and Teignmouth must be a primary residence, so not second homes or holiday lets (existing homes not affected). Inside Dartmoor National Park, new holiday lets get holiday-only conditions. Source |
| West Devon | England | Local planning policy in force | Inside Dartmoor National Park, the park's Local Plan (Policy 5.5) only allows new short-stay holiday accommodation in villages, hamlets and countryside by converting suitable buildings, with holiday-only conditions. No holiday-let policy found outside the park. Source |
| Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England | Proposed or under review | A 2026 Full Council motion asks officers to investigate whether homes let for more than 90 nights a year are a material change of use and to gather evidence for a possible Article 4 direction. Nothing decided. Source |
| Brighton & Hove | England | Proposed or under review | The council says you might need permission depending on how much the use changes. Zones where short lets are allowed or restricted are being looked at for City Plan 2041; nothing new applies yet. Source |
| Bristol | England | Proposed or under review | Draft Local Plan 2022-2040 Policy H2 would refuse the loss of an existing home, with narrow exceptions; adoption expected late 2026. Whether the main modifications change H2: UNVERIFIED. Source |
| Liverpool | England | Proposed or under review | Submission Draft Local Plan 2043 Policy TC7 would only support new short-term lets where fewer than 10% of properties within 100 m are HMOs and there is no over-concentration of short lets, with a management plan. Not examined or adopted. Source |
| New Forest | England | Proposed or under review | The National Park Authority's draft Local Plan (Aug 2026) proposes a principal residence condition on all net new open-market homes in the Park. Not adopted; would not apply to existing homes. Source |
| Rother | England | Proposed or under review | Proposed Submission Local Plan 2025-2042 (consultation 12 Oct to 24 Nov 2026): principal-residence-only for some new countryside homes, and proposals that lose homes to holiday accommodation not supported in Camber, Rye, Rye Foreign and Icklesham. Not in force. Source |
| City of York | England | Proposed or under review | The council says you may need planning permission and should get advice before taking bookings. Draft short-term holiday lets planning guidance (June 2026) still needs approval, so it is not in force. Source |
| Argyll and Bute | Scotland | Proposed or under review | Consultation (21 Sep to 15 Nov 2026) on a control area covering Mull and Iona; Coll and Tiree; Islay, Jura and Colonsay; and Oban, Lorn and the Inner Isles. Not in force. Source |
| Fife | Scotland | Proposed or under review | The council consulted on the principle of control areas (16 Jun to 8 Sep 2025); any designation needs Scottish Ministers' approval. Reports that St Andrews and the East Neuk were chosen: UNVERIFIED. Source |
The national rules behind the table
- England: no short-let use class (the C5 proposal is not law). GOV.UK says your local planning authority decides, based on how the property is used and its impact on neighbours. Greater London: more than 90 nights a calendar year needs permission (Deregulation Act 2015, s44). England planning guide.
- Scotland: councils can designate short-term let control areas. Inside one, a new short-term let very likely needs planning permission; outside, you may still need it if the let is a material change of use (mygov.scot). Scotland rules.
- Wales: use classes C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) since Oct 2022; changes between them are permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies (WSI 2022/994). Wales rules.
- Northern Ireland: no council pages yet. Belfast City Council is consulting (to 16 Nov 2026) on draft planning guidance for short-term lets; elsewhere, check with your council planning office. Northern Ireland rules.
All 96 council areas
Every council area we cover, with its status. Open a council page for the full planning wording, key dates and a free alert when it changes.
Show all 96 council areas
No matches.
| Council | Nation | Status | What applies (summary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath and North East Somerset | England | Case by case | No control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets. A 2018 council report said most short lets in Bath (3 or fewer rooms) stay in the C3 home use class; larger ones can be a material change of use. Source |
| Blackpool | England | Local planning policy in force | The council says most Airbnb-style holiday lets need planning permission: self-contained holiday flats and houses with no on-site management are a sui generis use. Outside the Town Centre, Resort Core and 6 Holiday Accommodation Areas, permission "generally will not be granted". Source |
| Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England | Proposed or under review | A 2026 Full Council motion asks officers to investigate whether homes let for more than 90 nights a year are a material change of use and to gather evidence for a possible Article 4 direction. Nothing decided. Source |
| Brighton & Hove | England | Proposed or under review | The council says you might need permission depending on how much the use changes. Zones where short lets are allowed or restricted are being looked at for City Plan 2041; nothing new applies yet. Source |
| Bristol | England | Proposed or under review | Draft Local Plan 2022-2040 Policy H2 would refuse the loss of an existing home, with narrow exceptions; adoption expected late 2026. Whether the main modifications change H2: UNVERIFIED. Source |
| Cambridge | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan 2018 Policy 3 allows changing housing to other uses only in exceptional circumstances; in Jan 2018 officers recommended enforcement notices against 13 flats used as short-term visitor accommodation. Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan Policy J/VA would go further (not in force). Source |
| Canterbury | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Chichester | England | Local planning policy in force | In West Wittering parish, Neighbourhood Plan Policy WW5 (made 28 Nov 2023) only supports new open-market homes limited to use as a principal residence. Elsewhere, decided case by case; no district-wide holiday-let policy found. Source |
| Cornwall | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Cotswold | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Cumberland | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Derbyshire Dales | England | Local planning policy in force | Inside the Peak District National Park, Policy DMR3 restricts new self-catering accommodation outside named settlements to holiday use. A draft primary residence clause on new housing is not adopted. Source |
| Dorset | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| East Devon | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| East Lindsey | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| East Suffolk | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Folkestone and Hythe | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Great Yarmouth | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan Part 2 Policy L1 works the other way: in Holiday Accommodation Areas the council resists changing holiday accommodation to non-tourist uses. New holiday units usually carry holiday-only conditions. Source |
| Greater London (all boroughs) | England | Permission needed (area rule in force) | Letting a whole home short term for more than 90 nights in a calendar year needs planning permission (Deregulation Act 2015, s44). Count your nights. Source |
| Isle of Wight | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Isles of Scilly | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan 2015-2030: converting a property for tourism must not lose homes available for permanent occupation unless there are wider public benefits (Policy WC5), and replacement dwellings, extensions or alterations must not include self-contained holiday letting accommodation unless already lawful (Policy LC8). Source |
| King's Lynn and West Norfolk | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Liverpool | England | Proposed or under review | Submission Draft Local Plan 2043 Policy TC7 would only support new short-term lets where fewer than 10% of properties within 100 m are HMOs and there is no over-concentration of short lets, with a management plan. Not examined or adopted. Source |
| Manchester | England | Case by case | No control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets. A 2024 council report says planning law does not currently require a change of use for a home to be used as a short-term let; the new Local Plan has no short-let policy. Source |
| New Forest | England | Proposed or under review | The National Park Authority's draft Local Plan (Aug 2026) proposes a principal residence condition on all net new open-market homes in the Park. Not adopted; would not apply to existing homes. Source |
| North Devon | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| North Norfolk | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| North Yorkshire | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Northumberland | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Oxford | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan 2036 Policies V5 and H5: new short-stay accommodation only in set locations and with no loss of a home. A planning inspector upheld an enforcement notice against a Headington house run as a short-term let (11 Dec 2024). Source |
| Rother | England | Proposed or under review | Proposed Submission Local Plan 2025-2042 (consultation 12 Oct to 24 Nov 2026): principal-residence-only for some new countryside homes, and proposals that lose homes to holiday accommodation not supported in Camber, Rye, Rye Foreign and Icklesham. Not in force. Source |
| Sefton | England | Local planning policy in force | Short Term Holiday Lets SPD (adopted 5 Dec 2024): a home let whole to one family-sized group is unlikely to need permission, but letting rooms separately, adding bedrooms or larger groups is likely to. In Primarily Residential Areas a conversion is refused if 5% of properties within 100 m are already short lets, flats or HMOs. Source |
| Somerset | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| South Hams | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Stratford-on-Avon | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Teignbridge | England | Local planning policy in force | Local Plan 2020-2040 (adopted 19 May 2026): new-build homes in Bishopsteignton, Dawlish, Shaldon, Stokeinteignhead and Teignmouth must be a primary residence, so not second homes or holiday lets (existing homes not affected). Inside Dartmoor National Park, new holiday lets get holiday-only conditions. Source |
| Thanet | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Torbay | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Torridge | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| Wealden | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| West Devon | England | Local planning policy in force | Inside Dartmoor National Park, the park's Local Plan (Policy 5.5) only allows new short-stay holiday accommodation in villages, hamlets and countryside by converting suitable buildings, with holiday-only conditions. No holiday-let policy found outside the park. Source |
| Westmorland and Furness | England | Case by case | No short-let control area or Article 4 direction for holiday lets found. England has no short-let use class, so the council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use. Source |
| City of York | England | Proposed or under review | The council says you may need planning permission and should get advice before taking bookings. Draft short-term holiday lets planning guidance (June 2026) still needs approval, so it is not in force. Source |
| Aberdeen City | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Angus | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Argyll and Bute | Scotland | Proposed or under review | Consultation (21 Sep to 15 Nov 2026) on a control area covering Mull and Iona; Coll and Tiree; Islay, Jura and Colonsay; and Oban, Lorn and the Inner Isles. Not in force. Source |
| Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Dumfries and Galloway | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Dundee City | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| East Ayrshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| East Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| East Lothian | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. If you apply for a licence without planning permission or a certificate you need, the council will refuse to consider the application. Source |
| East Renfrewshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| City of Edinburgh | Scotland | Permission needed (area rule in force) | The whole city has been a short-term let control area since 5 Sep 2022. Using a whole dwelling that isn't your main home as a short-term let very likely needs planning permission. Source |
| Falkirk | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Fife | Scotland | Proposed or under review | The council consulted on the principle of control areas (16 Jun to 8 Sep 2025); any designation needs Scottish Ministers' approval. Reports that St Andrews and the East Neuk were chosen: UNVERIFIED. Source |
| Glasgow City | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Highland | Scotland | Permission needed (area rule in force) | Badenoch & Strathspey ward is a control area (since 4 Mar 2024). On 28 Sep 2026 the council agreed to send Scottish Ministers proposals for Inverness City and Highland Rural control areas (proposals only, not in force). Source |
| Inverclyde | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. Check with planning before applying: where permission is needed and not obtained, the council can refuse the licence application within 14 days with no refund. Source |
| Midlothian | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Moray | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| North Ayrshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| North Lanarkshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Orkney Islands | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Renfrewshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Scottish Borders | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Shetland Islands | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| South Ayrshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| South Lanarkshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| Stirling | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| West Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Case by case | No control area. You may still need planning permission if the planning authority considers the let a material change of use, so check before applying for a licence. Source |
| West Lothian | Scotland | Case by case | No control area, but every licence application must include planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness (or one confirming no material change of use). Source |
| Blaenau Gwent | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Bridgend | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Caerphilly | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Cardiff | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Carmarthenshire | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Ceredigion | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Conwy | Wales | Permission needed (area rule in force) | Inside Eryri National Park (part of Conwy), the park's Article 4 direction (since 1 Jun 2025) means changing a main home into a second home or short-term let needs planning permission. None found for the rest of Conwy. Source |
| Denbighshire | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Flintshire | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Gwynedd | Wales | Permission needed (area rule in force) | Inside Eryri National Park, an Article 4 direction (in force since 1 Jun 2025) means changing a main home (C3) into a second home (C5) or short-term let (C6), or switching between C5 and C6, needs planning permission. Outside the park, Cyngor Gwynedd's own direction was quashed and is not in force. Source |
| Isle of Anglesey | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Merthyr Tydfil | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Monmouthshire | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Neath Port Talbot | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Newport | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Pembrokeshire | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Powys | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Swansea | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Torfaen | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Vale of Glamorgan | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
| Wrexham | Wales | Case by case | No Article 4 direction or local short-let planning control found. Changes between C3 (main home), C5 (second home) and C6 (short-term let) are permitted development. Source |
Use this table
Journalists, agents and researchers are welcome to quote or link to this table. Please credit: UK Short-Let Rules Tracker, "Short-let planning permission by council", https://ukshortletrules.co.uk/short-let-planning-permission-by-council, checked 29 Oct 2026.
Download the table (CSV) Same rows as above, with the council page and official source for each.
Common questions
Do I need planning permission for a short-term let in the UK?
It depends on where the property is. In England there is no short-let use class, so your council decides case by case whether letting a whole home is a material change of use, and in Greater London letting a whole home for more than 90 nights a calendar year needs permission. In Scotland, a whole dwelling that is not your main home in a short-term let control area very likely needs permission. In Wales, moving between main home (C3), second home (C5) and short-term let (C6) is permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
Which UK councils have short-term let control areas?
Scotland has two control areas in force: the whole City of Edinburgh and the Badenoch and Strathspey ward of Highland (mygov.scot). Argyll and Bute is consulting on one, and Highland has sent proposals for Inverness City and Highland Rural control areas to Scottish Ministers; these are not in force.
Where in Wales do you need planning permission to turn a home into a holiday let?
Inside Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, an Article 4 direction in force since 1 June 2025 means changing a main home into a second home or short-term let needs planning permission. Cyngor Gwynedd's own direction for the rest of Gwynedd was quashed by the High Court. We found no other Welsh Article 4 direction on short lets among the councils we cover.
Does Blackpool need planning permission for holiday lets?
Blackpool Council says most Airbnb-style holiday lets need planning permission, because self-contained holiday flats and houses with no on-site management are a sui generis use, and that outside the Town Centre, Resort Core and six Holiday Accommodation Areas permission generally will not be granted.
Can I use or quote this table?
Yes. Please credit the UK Short-Let Rules Tracker and link to this page. Each row links to the official source and to the council page with the full wording. It is a summary of general information, not legal or planning advice, so always check with the council before relying on it.
More: Holiday let planning permission in England · London 90-night counter · England 2027 changes (C5, Article 4) · Buying a holiday let? Due-diligence checker · All councils · What changed.
Not legal or planning advice. Compiled by the UK Short-Let Rules team from each council page's official sources; summaries are shortened, so read the council page and ask the planning authority before acting. Items marked UNVERIFIED have not been confirmed against an official source.
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