Changing a standard garage door to an electric garage door will not normally require planning permission. Instead, they are covered by permitted development rights.

Permission may be required if your property is listed, you live in a conservation area or there will be a visual impact on the appearance of the house as viewed from the street. If you are unsure, it is advised that you contact your local planning authority.

Work to install an electric garage door must comply with Part P of the building regulations. This can be done by using an electrician who is registered with the competent person scheme.

‍Visit the website for registered electrical competent persons.

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Land and buildings are categorised by their type and purpose through a system known as ‘use classes’. A 'Change of use' can be within the same Use Class or from one Use Class to another.

You can find a full list of use classes and change of use scenarios related to planning on the Planning Portal website.

Read more about use classes

If your proposal for planning permission or building regulations approval is solely for extensions or alterations to a disabled person’s house to improve access, safety or comfort then you are exempt from paying a planning or building control fee. Additionally, if you are providing means of access for disabled persons to public buildings you are exempt from any fee.

Note that for building regulations approval, you will only be exempt when applying to a local authority building control body.

A 'listed building' is a building, object or structure in the UK that has been considered as of national importance in terms of architectural or historic interest and included on a register called the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Buildings are listed to help protect the physical evidence of our past, including buildings, which are valued and protected as a central part of our cultural heritage and our sense of identity. Historic buildings also add to the quality of our lives, being an important aspect of the character and appearance of our towns, villages, and countryside.

There are three listing grades:

- Grade I - Buildings of exceptional interest

- Grade II* - Particularly important and more than special interest

- Grade II - Buildings of special interest, warranting every effort being made to preserve them (this is the most common)

If you live in a listed building it means you cannot demolish or alter the building in a way that changes its character without Listed Building Consent.

Read detailed guidance on Listed Building Consent

You don't actually need to own land or property to apply for planning permission for it. This means you can apply for permission before deciding whether or not to buy a piece of land.

The following people must be informed about a planning application relating to land or buildings that they have an interest in:

• The owner or all the part-owner/s (if you are not the full owner)
• Any leaseholders with at least seven years' lease remaining
• Any agricultural tenants.

You can contact your local planning authority for pre-application advice or book an appointment with our Planning Guidance Service.

Find out more about pre-application advice.