Planning permission fees are one of the costs to consider when planning a property development or alteration. The amount you pay depends on the type of application, the scale of the proposed development and, in some cases, the number of homes or size of the site involved.
In England, planning application fees are set under national regulations and are updated annually. From 1 April 2026, the standard fee for a typical householder planning application is £548.
However, the planning application fee is only one part of the overall cost of obtaining planning permission. Drawings, surveys, specialist reports and professional planning support may also be required.
What Are Planning Permission Fees?
Planning permission fees are charges paid to the relevant local planning authority when submitting certain types of planning applications.
The fee contributes towards the cost of processing and assessing the application. Different applications have different fees, so there is no single fixed price for planning permission.
For example, an application for a house extension will usually have a different fee from an application to build several new homes or change the use of a commercial property.
The fee is generally payable when the application is submitted, and the correct amount needs to be paid for the application to be valid.
How Much Are Planning Permission Fees?
The cost depends on what you are applying for.
For applications in England from 1 April 2026, some common examples include:
| Application type | Fee from 1 April 2026 |
| Householder application for enlargement, improvement, or alteration of a single dwellinghouse | £548 |
| Certain ancillary works within a dwellinghouse boundary, including some walls, fences and gates | £272 |
| Permission in Principle | £531 per 0.1 hectare |
| Discharge of conditions for householder development | £89 |
| Discharge of conditions for other development | £309 |
| Non-material amendment to a householder permission | £46 |
| Non-material amendment for other development | £309 |
These are examples rather than a complete fee schedule. Larger developments and applications involving multiple dwellings are calculated differently.
For example, a full application for new dwellinghouses can be charged according to the number of dwellings proposed. Applications for fewer than 10 dwellinghouses are currently charged at £610 per dwelling, while different rates apply to larger developments, subject to maximum fees.
What Affects the Planning Permission Fee?
The main factors that can affect the fee include:
Type of development
A house extension, new-build development, change of use and application for Permission in Principle can all have different fee structures.
Number of dwellings
For residential developments, the number of proposed dwellinghouses can affect the application fee significantly.
Site area
Some applications, particularly certain outline applications and Permission in Principle applications, calculate the fee according to the size of the site.
Type of application
Whether you are submitting a full application, outline application, retrospective application, reserved matters application or another type of planning application can also affect the fee.
Understanding the correct application type before submitting can therefore help you avoid paying the wrong fee or delaying the application.
Are Planning Permission Fees the Same Across the UK?
No. Planning application fees are not identical across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The figures discussed in this article apply to England. Wales has its own fee structure, while planning systems in Scotland and Northern Ireland operate separately.
If your property is outside England, check the relevant planning authority’s current fee requirements before making an application.
Are There Other Costs Besides the Planning Fee?
Yes. The statutory planning fee is only one part of the potential cost of a planning application.
Depending on the project, you may also need to budget for:
- Architectural or planning drawings
- Planning consultancy
- Site surveys
- Transport or highways assessments
- Ecology reports
- Flood risk assessments
- Heritage assessments
- Tree surveys
- Specialist technical reports
- Pre-application advice
- Building regulations work
Not every project will require all of these.
The requirements depend on the nature, location and potential impact of the proposed development. This is why it is useful to establish what your application is likely to require before you start preparing documents.
Planning Build can provide planning permission advice to help establish the planning considerations for your proposal.
Do You Get Your Planning Fee Back If Permission Is Refused?
Generally, the planning application fee is not refunded simply because an application is refused.
The local planning authority has still assessed and determined the application, so the fee is normally retained.
If an application is refused, you may have options such as revising the proposal and submitting a new application or appealing the decision, depending on the circumstances.
If you are considering an appeal, see our planning appeal service for more information.
Can Planning Permission Fees Change?
Yes. Planning fees in England are subject to annual indexation. The current system provides for annual increases linked to inflation, with new fees applying from 1 April each year.
There are also wider changes to the planning fee system. The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 introduced powers for local planning authorities to vary planning application fees from national defaults, subject to the relevant arrangements being implemented. The government published a consultation response on these changes in July 2026.
This means applicants should check the current fee applicable to their application rather than relying on an older figure found online.
How Can You Check the Correct Planning Permission Fee?
The correct fee depends on the details of your proposed development.
Before submitting an application, you should establish:
- What type of application you need.
- What type of development you are proposing.
- How many dwellings are involved, where applicable.
- The size of the site, where relevant.
- Whether any exemptions or reductions apply.
- Whether additional application charges may be involved.
The Planning Portal provides a fee calculator for applications in England, which can help identify the applicable statutory fee.
For more complex proposals, professional advice can also help you understand which application route is appropriate before you commit to the application process.
Get Help With Planning Permission
Understanding the planning permission fee is important, but choosing the right application type and preparing the required information can be equally important.
Planning Build can help you assess your proposal, understand the planning requirements and prepare for the application process.
If you are unsure what permission you need or what your project is likely to involve, contact Planning Build to discuss your development.
