Short-term let control area

The whole of the City of Edinburgh Council area has been designated as a short-term let control area for the purposes of Section 26B of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

View the statutory notification. Some of our downloads may not be accessible. If you need help email planning@edinburgh.gov.uk.

A consultation on the designation of a control area in Edinburgh was carried out in Autumn 2021. Following consideration of responses, Planning Committee approved the proposed designation of the entire Council area for submission to Scottish Ministers for their consideration in February 2022. In July 2022, the Scottish Minister issued their decision granting approval for the capital to become the first short term let control area in Scotland. 

The area of designation corresponds with the administrative area of the City of Edinburgh Council. Some of our downloads may not be accessible. If you need help email planning@edinburgh.gov.uk.

The designation came into effect on 5 September 2022

The use of an entire dwelling that is not a principal home, as a short-term let will be a material change of use requiring planning permission, under Section 26B of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and The Town and Country Planning (Short-Term Let Control Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2021. 

It does not apply to home sharing or home letting.

Separate legislation introducing a mandatory licensing scheme for all short-term lets in Scotland was approved earlier this year. This will require all short-term lets to be licensed by July 2024.  

Following consultation, revised non-statutory guidance for businesses was approved by the Planning Committee on 19 April 2023. The revised guidance provides further details on the requirement for planning permission and how short term let applications will be assessed.

Apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness

Read more about short term lets - planning where you will find out

  • how to apply for permission
  • what is needed with an application
  • the fees
  • how to appeal or seek a review of a decision.