Listed building and conservation area consent

As the owner of a listed building, you are responsible for its repair and maintenance, just as you would be with any other building. It is very likely you’ll need permission for major changes and even some minor changes to your property.

Listing is used to protect the character of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. In March 2026, Scotland had more than 46,500 listed building records. Your planning authority can tell you if your property is listed.

Find out more and search for listed buildings

You must apply to your planning authority for listed building consent before making any changes that may affect the character of your property. 

You will almost certainly need listed building consent for: 

• an extension 

• structural alterations 

• partial or total demolition 

• internal alterations that affect the character of the building

• changing windows and doors

Other works that might require permission include those to:

• clean stonework

• change the colour of external paintwork

• display adverts and new signage

Check with your planning authority before carrying out any work to a listed building. 

We recommend that work on traditionally constructed buildings should be carried out to a high standard. You should appoint a tradesperson or contractor with suitable experience. 

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Conservation areas aim to preserve and enhance neighbourhoods of special architectural or historic interest. Permission for some works may be needed in a conservation area, including conservation area consent for the demolition of unlisted buildings.  

Scotland currently has more than 600 conservation areas, which safeguard some of our most important historic places. Your planning authority can tell you if your property is in a conservation area, and they may have a character appraisal that will explain why the area has been designated and what is special about it.

Conservation areas are used to protect important groups of buildings, open spaces, planned towns and villages , street patterns and trees.

The planning authority will be able to advise you on any consents required for work you are planning.

We recommend that work on traditionally constructed buildings should be carried out to a high standard. You should appoint a tradesperson or contractor with suitable experience.

Maintaining historic buildings