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Perth & Kinross STR planning guidance explained in plain English

Plain-English guide to Perth & Kinross short-term let planning rules, when permission is required, and what drawings and evidence to prepare for validation.

Perth & Kinross Council has clear guidance on when short-term let (STR) use needs planning permission. The rules can feel technical, so this guide explains the key points in plain English and highlights what to prepare for a smooth validation.

Quick answer

• A change from a flat to a short-term let is always treated as a material change of use that needs planning permission.
• For houses, the council considers whether the change is material based on local impacts.
• If you can show continuous STR use for at least 10 years, you may be able to apply for a certificate of lawful use instead.

When planning permission is required

Perth & Kinross Council explains that planning permission is required for development, which includes a material change of use. For flats, the change to STR is always considered material. For dwellinghouses, the council assesses the significance of the change based on the facts of each case.

The council highlights factors such as impact on local amenity, character of the area, safety, and effects on immediate neighbours. If these impacts are significant, planning permission is likely to be required.

Existing use and certificates of lawful use

If you can evidence continuous STR use of a property for at least the previous 10 years, the council notes that planning permission for that use is unlikely to be required. In that case, you can apply for a Certificate of Lawful Use to confirm the position formally.

Control areas and local coverage

Perth & Kinross Council states that it does not currently have a designated short-term let control area. The council has begun the statutory process to introduce a control area covering parts of Highland Perthshire and Northern Eastern Perthshire, with consultation in late 2025 and a decision expected in 2026.

If your property is within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park area, the National Park Authority is the planning authority. Within the Cairngorms National Park area, Perth & Kinross Council remains the planning authority.

Licensing vs planning (both may apply)

Licensing is separate from planning. Perth & Kinross Council operates a short-term lets licensing scheme, and planning permission may still be needed depending on the use. Treat these as two separate checks to avoid delays.

What drawings and evidence to prepare

Perth & Kinross Council provides a change of use (short-term let) validation checklist. The exact items can vary by case, but most STR applications expect the core drawings used across UK planning authorities.

• Location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 with a clear red line boundary.
• Site plan (block plan) at 1:200 or 1:500 showing boundaries and access.
• Scaled floor plans at 1:50 or 1:100 with room uses and a scale bar.
• North point and clear labels on each plan.
• Clean PDF exports (no screenshots).

For more detail on drawings, see what drawings councils actually expect for STR change of use.

Practical steps to avoid validation delays

• Use the council checklist and match each item to a specific drawing or document.
• Keep boundaries consistent across location and site plans.
• Ensure all plans are correctly scaled with a visible scale bar.
• Label room uses clearly on floor plans.
• Submit clean PDFs and double-check legibility at 100% zoom.

How Butler Floorplan helps

Butler Floorplan helps you generate compliant location plans, site plans, and scaled floor plans for STR change of use applications. You can add red and blue boundaries, include scale bars, and export clean PDFs ready for validation.