Find out if you live in a part of Bristol that doesn't have permitted development rights.
Some areas of Bristol are covered by Article 4 Directions. If your property is in one of these areas, you'll need planning permission for works that would normally be covered by permitted development rights.
If you're applying for planning permission for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you must also check if you need to apply for an HMO licence.
You can view all the Article 4 Direction areas using either the:
Article 4 directions in Bristol
pdf Henleaze (650 KB) : Gates, walls, fences and means of enclosure and structures
A permitted development right within this area has been removed from 22 April 2021. You need planning permission to demolish a gate, fence, wall or any other means of enclosure.
pdf Cotham and Redland Conservation Area (406 KB) : Boundary walls and hard standings
The Article 4 Direction came into force on 4 November 2012. You need permission to demolish a front garden wall, fence, gate or any other means of enclosure, and to form hard standings.
pdf Clifton West (779 KB) : Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
A permitted development right within this area has been removed from 21 October 2012. You need a planning application for a change of use between a dwelling house (Use Class C3) and a small House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4).
pdf Redland (724 KB) : Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
A permitted development right within this area has been removed from 21 October 2012. You need a planning application for a change of use between a dwelling house (Use Class C3) and a small House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4).
pdf Lawrence Hill, Ashley, Cabot, Cotham, and Clifton East (1.02 MB) : Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
A permitted development right within these areas has been removed from 11 December 2011. You need a planning application for a change of use between a dwelling house (Use Class C3) and a small House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4).
pdf Grove Wood, Blackberry Hill (879 KB) : Gates, walls, fences and means of enclosure and structures
The Article 4 Direction came into force on the 9 November 2009. You need planning permission for alterations, constructions and extensions to walls, gates, fences and means of enclosure and the siting of buildings and other moveable structures on the land.
pdf Land at Sherrin Way (452 KB) : Alterations and extensions to dwellinghouse and boundary treatments (walls/gates/fences)
The Article 4 Direction came into force on 26 July 1982. You need planning permission to make alterations and extensions to a dwellinghouse, and for the erection of boundary treatments (walls, gates, fences).
pdf Clifton Village (816 KB) : External alterations
The Article 4 Direction came into force in July 1974. You need planning permission for works of alteration that affect the external appearance of the properties in Royal York Crescent, Cornwallis Crescent, Caledonia Place and West Mall.
pdf Henbury (150 KB) : Alterations and extensions to dwellinghouse and boundary treatments (walls/gates/fences)
The Article 4 Direction came into force in 1971. You need planning permission to make alterations and extensions to a dwellinghouse, and for the erection of boundary treatments (walls, gates, fences).
pdf Avonmouth Village (1.62 MB) : Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
A permitted development right within this area has been removed from 29 June 2020. You need a planning application for a change of use between a dwelling house (Use Class C3) and a small House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4).
pdf North Bristol (2.88 MB) : Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
A permitted development right within this area has been removed from 29 June 2020. You need a planning application for a change of use between a dwelling house (Use Class C3) and a small House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4).
pdf South Bristol (3.40 MB) : Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
A permitted development right within this area has been removed from 29 June 2020. You need a planning application for a change of use between a dwelling house (Use Class C3) and a small House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4).
pdf East Bristol (3.04 MB) : Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
A permitted development right within this area has been removed from 29 June 2020. You need a planning application for a change of use between a dwelling house (Use Class C3) and a small House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4).