Classes for guest accommodation
Guest accommodation can fall under different planning use classes depending on how the property is used. The main use classes that may apply to short term lets or visitor accommodation are Class 9 (houses) and Class 7 (hotels, guesthouses and hostels).
Home sharing (Class 9)
Class 9 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997 allows a house to be used as a bed and breakfast or guesthouse in limited circumstances.
A house can be used for this purpose if either:
- no more than two bedrooms are used for bed and breakfast or guesthouse accommodation at any one time, or
- no more than one bedroom is used in houses with fewer than four bedrooms
Class 9 and short term let control areas
The Class 9 allowance applies even if the property is within a designated short term let control area.
Hotels, guesthouses and hostels (Class 7)
Class 7 covers use as:
- a hotel
- a boarding house
- a guesthouse
- a hostel
This class applies where no significant care is provided.
Class 7 does not include:
- premises licensed to sell alcohol to non‑residents or to people not consuming meals on site
- uses that fall within Class 9
When Class 7 permission allows other Class 7 uses
If a property already has planning permission for any Class 7 use, it can generally be used for any other Class 7 use without submitting a further planning application.
This only changes if the existing permission includes a condition that restricts how the property may be used.