Guide for householders
If you are planning to extend your house, or carry out work within the garden, click on the link which is most relevant to your proposal.
Simply read all the clauses listed under each heading - if your proposal complies with all the clauses listed, planning permission will not be required. If your proposal will not comply with all the clauses, planning permission will be required.
Please note:
The rules set by the Scottish Government and governing whether planning permission is required for householder works are scheduled to change. The latest information from the Scottish Government indicates that the new rules will be in place by Spring 2010. The guidance for householders published on this web-site (below) will be updated by Scottish Borders Council when the new national legislation is in place. Contact with a planning officer is advised should you have any doubt regarding the need for planning permission.
This guide is advisory only – before commencing any work you should satisfy yourself that the work you propose does not require formal approval by contacting the planning department, and to ensure that there are no other restrictions on your property, such as planning conditions.
You may require a Building Warrant for your proposal, whether or not planning consent is required.
- Extensions, porches, conservatories and garages attached to the house
- Detached garages and other outbuildings within 5m of the house and over 4sq m
- Detached garages and other outbuildings more than 5m from the house and over 4sq m
- Detached outbuildings less than 4sq m any distance from the house (but within the garden curtilage)
- Other structures including: decking (where the decking is raised above ground level), and pergolas
- Dormers
- Skylights
- Oil tanks
- Hardstanding surfaces(e.g. gravel, tarmac and paved surfaces)
- Replacement or new windows and doors
- Vehicular accesses
- Fences and walls (including fencing enclosing a deck which is level with the ground)
- Satellite dishes
- Microgeneration (domestic solar, wind, biomass, CHP and heat pumps)
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