Do I Need Planning Permission for a Home Extension in Aberdeen?

Extending your home should feel exciting - not confusing. In Aberdeen (and across Scotland) there are two parallel approvals you need to know about:

• Planning permission (about how your extension looks and fits the area); and

• Building warrant (about safety and technical compliance).

Some smaller projects don’t need planning permission because they’re covered by permitted development rights (PDR). But most extensions still need a building warrant. This guide explains, in plain English, how to check what you need - and how to keep your project on track.

Planning Permission vs Building Warrant (Scotland)

Planning permission deals with design, size, impact on neighbours/streetscape and policy. Aberdeen City Council explains when planning permission is required and points you to the national PDR rules for houses and flats. If you’re unsure, you can request a Certificate of Lawfulness to confirm that your proposal is permitted development. (Aberdeen City Council)

Building warrant is separate. It’s technical approval from Building Standards that your plans meet the Scottish Building Regulations (structure, fire, energy, drainage, etc.). Aberdeen City Council notes a warrant is normally required before starting building work (including alterations and extensions), and applications are encouraged via eBuildingStandards.scot. (Aberdeen City Council).

Quick reality check: Even if your extension is permitted development (no planning application), you’ll almost certainly still need a building warrant.

When you usually need planning permission for an extension

You’ll generally need planning permission if your proposal falls outside householder permitted development rights—for example because of size/height, location (front elevation / facing a road), proximity to boundaries, balconies/raised platforms, or because the property is a flat, listed building, or sits in a conservation area. The rules are set nationally; the Scottish Government’s Householder Permitted Development guidance explains what can be built without a planning application. (Scottish Government)

Local watch-outs in Aberdeen

• Parts of Kingswells and Burnbanks Village have Article 4 directions that remove PDR. In these streets you’ll always need permission for external alterations - check the Council’s list. (Aberdeen City Council)

• If your home is listed or in a conservation area, you may need listed building consent and/or planning permission regardless of size. (Aberdeen City Council)

If in doubt, the cleanest way to de-risk is to apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness confirming that your drawings are PDR-compliant before you book trades. (Aberdeen City Council)

Do I need a building warrant?

Almost certainly, yes. Aberdeen City Council states a warrant is required before starting “building” work, which covers most extensions and many alterations. Apply online via eBuildingStandards.scot. (Aberdeen City Council)

How long is a building warrant valid?

Across Scotland a building warrant is valid for 3 years from the date it’s granted. You can usually apply to extend the validity if needed. (Scottish Government)

Completion certificate

When the work is finished, you must submit a completion certificate for inspection/acceptance; don’t skip this step - it protects resale and insurances. (Aberdeenshire Council)

Timelines: how long do decisions take?

• Planning permission (householder): Aberdeen aims to decide the majority of applications within ~2 months of validation (the Scottish target for local developments). Recent performance reports show typical householder times in that ballpark. (Aberdeen City Council)

• Neighbour notification: Once your application is validated, the Council notifies neighbours; there’s then a public comment window (often up to 28 days). (Aberdeen City Council)

• Building warrant: Verifiers aim to assess applications promptly; many councils publish targets (for example an initial assessment within 20 working days). Actual times vary with workload and project complexity. (West Lothian Council)

Costs and fees (Scotland)

• Planning application fee (householder) – As of Nov 2025, national regulations set the fee for enlarging/altering a single dwelling at £357. (Fees are set nationally and apply in Aberdeen too.) (Aberdeenshire Council)

• Building warrant fee – Based on the estimated value of works, with potential discounts when you use approved Certifiers of Design/Construction. Aberdeen City Council links to the current scale of fees. (Aberdeen City Council)

(Always check the online fee calculator/links when you submit - rates can change.)  (Aberdeenshire Council)

Step-by-step: the simplest route to a compliant extension

1. Define the briefSketch the space you need and list constraints (boundaries, sewers, access).

2. Check planning route

   • Compare your idea against the Scottish PDR guidance (especially for houses vs flats).

   • If you plan to rely on PDR, apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness to confirm. (Scottish Government)

3. Early chat with the Council (optional but helpful)

   • For trickier sites (conservation area, tight boundaries), ask about pre-application advice. Aberdeen offers a non-statutory service - useful for risk-spotting. (Aberdeen City Council)

4. Develop drawingsScaled site/location plans, existing/proposed elevations/sections, roof plan, levels/drainage, and outline materials. These are needed for both planning and warrant. (Aberdeen City Council)

5. Submit planning (if required)Apply via ePlanning.scot. After validation, neighbours are notified; the target decision period for local/householder applications is around 2 months. (Aberdeen City Council)

6. Submit building warrantApply via eBuildingStandards.scot, including any structural calculations, U-value/energy details, drainage, ventilation, fire strategy, etc. (ebuildingstandards.scot)

7. Start on site (only after approvals)Starting without a warrant can lead to enforcement and extra costs. Keep a tidy change log for any amendments and seek amendment to warrant if the design changes. (Aberdeen City Council)

8. Inspections & completionArrange inspections as requested and submit the completion certificate at the end. Keep all approvals for your home records - buyers’ solicitors will ask. (Aberdeenshire Council)

Common scenarios (and what usually applies)

• Single-storey rear extension to a houseMay be permitted development depending on size/height/position and site constraints; still needs a building warrant. Confirm via Certificate of Lawfulness. (Scottish Government)

• Side or wrap-around extensionOften needs planning permission, especially where it affects the principal elevation or streetscape. Warrant still required. (Scottish Government)

• Extensions to flats/maisonettesPD rights for flats are more limited; planning permission is commonly required. Warrant required. (Aberdeen City Council)

• Listed building / conservation areaExpect listed building consent and/or planning permission even for modest changes. Warrant required for technical compliance. (Aberdeen City Council)

• Kingswells/Burnbanks Article 4 streetsPDR removed - planning permission typically needed for external works. (Aberdeen City Council)

What to prepare for smoother approvals

• Measured survey and clear drawings (existing/proposed).

• Materials palette that respects your street/conservation character.

• Drainage strategy (gullies, connections, soakaways where appropriate).

• Daylight/overshadowing checks for tight sites.

• Structure & energy calculations for the building warrant.

• Access during works and site safety plan.

Aberdeen’s validation guidance and application pages outline what a “complete” submission looks like. (Aberdeen City Council)

How Sharpsaw can help

We build well-detailed, regulation-ready extensions and can coordinate with your architect/designer to:

• sanity-check your concept against PDR and local policy;

• prepare a clean pack for ePlanning (where needed) and eBuildingStandards;

• manage on-site changes and amendments to warrant;

• deliver tidy finishes that pass completion smoothly.

Planning an extension? Tell us your address and a rough brief - we’ll advise the likely route (PDR vs planning) and outline a realistic timeline.