Building regulations permissions

Change of Use

Change of use is a change in how land or a building is used that may require planning permission, a building warrant or both, depending on the circumstances.

Planning control considers whether the proposed use falls within the same use class, is covered by permitted development rights or represents a material change requiring an application. The Scottish Government's guidance on change of use explains how the Use Classes system relates to planning permission.

Under the Scottish building standards system, certain changes in the occupation or use of a building are defined separately as conversions and can bring additional building standards requirements. The Scottish Government's building warrant guidance for conversions explains when a change of occupation or use is treated as a conversion and requires a building warrant. Requirements can affect matters such as fire safety, ventilation, access, structure and energy performance.

Examples include converting commercial premises to residential use or changing a house into flats. The Scottish Government's current building standards technical handbooks provide the detailed standards applying to domestic and non-domestic buildings. The planning and building standards consequences should be checked before design work or a purchase proceeds.

Property types

Commonly found in

Tenement Georgian Townhouse Victorian Villa Terraced House Traditional Cottage Georgian Flat Converted Flat Detached House Semi-detached House

Building glossary

Related building terms

Planning Drawings Planning Application Planning Permission

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