Planning application fees are an important cost to consider before submitting a development proposal. The amount you pay depends on the type of application, the scale of the development and, for some applications, the number of homes or size of the site.
In England, planning application fees are set through national regulations and are subject to annual indexation. The current fee schedule applies from 1 April 2026.
Understanding the applicable fee before you submit can help you budget accurately and avoid delays caused by paying the wrong amount.
What Are Planning Application Fees?
A planning application fee is the charge paid to the relevant local planning authority when you submit certain types of planning applications.
The fee covers the planning authority’s work in processing and determining the application. The amount is not the same for every type of development.
For example, a homeowner applying for permission to extend a single dwelling will pay a different fee from someone applying to build multiple new homes.
The correct fee depends on the category of development and the details of the proposal.
How Much Are Planning Application Fees?
There is no single planning application fee.
For example, from 1 April 2026, the fee for a typical householder application for the enlargement, improvement or alteration of an existing single dwellinghouse in England is £548. Certain ancillary works within the boundary of a dwellinghouse, such as some outbuildings, gates, fences or walls, have a fee of £272.
Other applications have different fee structures.
For example, an application for new dwellinghouses is generally calculated according to the number of dwellings proposed, while some applications are calculated according to the area of the site.
This means you need to identify the correct application category before estimating the fee.
Planning Application Fees for Different Types of Development
Householder planning applications
Householder applications cover certain works to an existing dwellinghouse, excluding flats.
The current fee in England for enlargement, improvement or alteration of a single dwellinghouse is £548.
Certain other works within the boundary of a dwellinghouse, including some ancillary buildings and boundary treatments, have a fee of £272.
Full planning applications
Full planning application fees vary according to the type and scale of development.
For new residential development, the fee is generally linked to the number of dwellinghouses being created.
From 1 April 2026, applications for fewer than 10 new dwellinghouses are charged at £610 per dwellinghouse. Different rates apply to larger schemes, subject to the relevant fee limits.
Other types of full applications can use different calculations, including site area or the type of development proposed.
Outline planning applications
Outline planning application fees can depend on the proposed use and the size of the site.
For example, where an outline application relates to the erection of dwellinghouses, the fee is calculated according to the site area, with different rates applying depending on the size of the site.
Because outline applications establish the principle of development rather than all the final details, the fee structure is different from some full applications.
Reserved matters
Reserved matters applications follow an outline planning permission and deal with details that were left to be approved later.
The applicable fee depends on the circumstances of the application and whether a full application fee has already been paid. From 1 April 2026, where a full application fee has already been paid, the fee for approval of reserved matters is £610.
The decision notice for the original outline permission should be checked carefully to understand what matters remain outstanding.
Planning applications for changes of use
Applications involving a change of use have their own fee categories.
The amount can depend on the proposed use and, in some cases, the number of dwellinghouses being created.
For example, changing a building into multiple dwellinghouses can be subject to a fee based on the number of dwellings proposed.
This is why it is important to describe the proposed development accurately when establishing the correct application fee.
Are Planning Application Fees the Same Everywhere?
The national fee schedule applies to planning applications in England, but the rules and fees are not necessarily the same in other parts of the UK.
Wales has its own planning application fee structure, for example.
Planning Portal currently lists the typical householder application fee as £548 in England and £585 in Wales, demonstrating why the location of the development matters when checking fees.
For a Planning Build article, it is therefore useful to establish which jurisdiction’s fee schedule applies before quoting a figure.
When Do You Pay the Planning Application Fee?
The application fee is normally paid when the planning application is submitted.
The Planning Portal’s current England fee guidance states that the fee should be paid at the time of submission.
If the wrong fee is submitted, the application may not be able to proceed until the correct amount has been paid.
It is therefore worth checking the applicable fee before submitting rather than relying on an old application or previous project as a guide.
Are There Planning Application Fee Exemptions or Reductions?
Some applications can qualify for exemptions or reductions depending on the circumstances.
For example, certain householder applications relating to works to improve access, safety, health or comfort for a disabled person may be exempt from the standard fee.
Other exemptions and reductions can apply to specific types of development.
Eligibility depends on the circumstances, so applicants should check the current fee guidance rather than assuming an exemption applies.
Are There Additional Charges?
The planning application fee is not necessarily the only payment associated with submitting an application.
Where an application is submitted through the Planning Portal, an additional service charge may apply. From 1 April 2026, the Planning Portal service charge for planning applications increased to £75.83 plus VAT per application submission.
This is separate from the planning application fee paid to the local planning authority.
You may also have other project costs, such as:
- Planning consultant fees
- Architectural drawings
- Site surveys
- Ecological surveys
- Transport assessments
- Flood risk assessments
- Heritage assessments
- Other specialist reports
These are professional or project costs rather than planning application fees.
What If You Need to Discharge a Planning Condition?
Planning application costs do not necessarily end when permission is granted.
Some planning permissions include conditions requiring further details to be approved before particular parts of the development can proceed.
From 1 April 2026, the fee for an application to discharge planning conditions is £89 for householder development and £309 for other development, subject to the applicable rules.
There are also separate fees for matters such as removing or varying conditions and making certain non-material amendments to an existing permission.
These potential costs should be considered when budgeting for the overall planning process.
How Do You Find the Correct Planning Application Fee?
The easiest way to establish the applicable fee is to identify the precise type of development and use the current fee guidance or Planning Portal fee calculator.
Before submitting, check:
- What type of development are you proposing?
- Which application type applies?
- How many dwellings are being created, if relevant?
- What is the site area, if the fee is based on site area?
- Are there any exemptions or reductions?
- Are additional Planning Portal charges applicable?
- Has the fee schedule changed since you last checked?
Planning Portal provides a fee calculator for applicants to estimate the applicable fee for different proposals.
Do Planning Application Fees Guarantee Permission?
No.
Paying the correct application fee allows the application to be processed, but it does not guarantee that planning permission will be granted.
The local planning authority will assess the proposal against relevant planning policies and other material considerations before reaching a decision.
The application fee therefore covers the planning authority’s consideration of the application; it is not a payment for approval.
What Happens If a Planning Application Is Refused?
The application fee is generally payable regardless of whether the application is ultimately approved or refused.
If an application is refused, you may have options depending on the circumstances. These could include revising the proposal and submitting another application or appealing the decision.
A further application may involve another fee, so understanding the reasons for refusal before deciding what to do next is important.
Professional planning advice can help you assess the decision and determine the appropriate next step.
Get Help With Your Planning Application
Planning application fees are only one part of preparing a development proposal. Choosing the correct application type and providing the information required for validation can also affect how smoothly the application progresses.
Planning Build can help you understand which planning application route may apply to your project, what information may be required and how to prepare for submission.
Whether you are planning a house extension, new development, change of use or another type of project, getting the planning requirements clear at the beginning can help you budget more accurately.
Explore Planning Build’s planning application services or contact the team to discuss your project.
