Planning guidance

Always check if you need to apply for planning permission before starting any work.

Once you know that planning permission is required, we can provide advice on whether a development is likely to be approved or not before submitting an application.

Find out more about requesting planning advice

Removal of Permitted Development Rights

Permitted development rights may have been removed from certain sites or properties. There are a number of reasons that general permitted development rights won't apply such as conditions attached to previous permission. You should check the conditions on any existing planning permission for the site.

Find out more about permitted development

Conservation Areas

Fife has 48 conservation areas. More than 7 percent of the total in Scotland which are considered to have special architectural or historical interest. You need planning permission for any external alterations or extensions to houses in these Conservation Areas.

Find out more about conservation areas

Listed Buildings

Fife has over 6,200 Listed Buildings, which is close to 10% of Scotland’s total number of entries on the statutory list which have been listed because they are considered to have special historical or architectural interest. You must have Listed Building Consent (and maybe planning permission too) before altering, extending or demolishing any part of a Listed Building inside or out.

Find out more about listed buildings

Archaeological Zones

Fife possesses a rich variety of archaeological remains, which are a physical record of thousands of years of human development and activity. These archaeological remains are a fragile and non-renewable resource that our Council is committed to preserving and enhancing.

Find out more about Archaeological Zones

Tree Preservation Orders

Many individual trees, groups of trees or woodlands across the region are protected by Tree Preservation Orders if their removal would have a significant impact on an area. Permission is required for the felling or limbing of any protected trees.

Find out more about Tree Preservation Orders

Flooding Zones

Across the region there are many areas that are at risk of flooding or regularly suffer problems with flooding. We are required to take account of the probability of flooding and the risks involved when determining planning applications.

On 15 April 2025, our Flood Team published Version 3 of the Design Criteria Guidance on Flooding and Surface Water Management Plan Requirements. This introduces a new process for SUDS certification for Local applications. Detailed information about this new process can be found on the Flood Risk Management webpage and in the publication "Flooding and Surface Water Management Guidance."

This update aims to streamline the consultation process allowing us to process certain applications more efficiently. To ensure a smooth transition, both the current and new processes will be operational from 15 April to 31 May 2025. From 1 June 2025, the new process will be mandatory when submitting new planning applications.

We appreciate your cooperation during this transition and encourage you to review the new guidelines ahead of 1 June 2025.

Air Quality

Find out more about Air Quality

Contaminated Land

Find out more about Contaminated Land

Core Paths and Rights of Way

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act, came into operation in 2003. It established a new right of responsible public access as well as rights of way which still remain. The rights and responsibilities of land managers and those exercising access rights are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Find out more about core paths and rights of ways

Publications and guides

We have provided a range of publications that have been designed to answer some of your planning queries. Further information relating to planning policy is detailed within the FIFEplan.

About to start a development
Change of use and use classes
Commenting on an Application
Completion of development certificate
Fees for Retrospective Planning Applications
Fife Planning Review Body
Hazardous Substance Consent Guidance PDF, 132.11 KB
Hazardous Substances Consent (Continuation Form) DOCX, 40.86 KB
Hazardous Substances Consent (Variation Form) DOCX, 40.63 KB
Hazardous Substances Consent Form DOCX, 44.06 KB
High Hedge Guidance
Land Ownership Certificate - Listed Buildings PDF, 850.13 KB
Modification or Discharge of Planning Obligations PDF, 164.35 KB
Neighbour Notification and Publicity PDF, 157.86 KB
Non-Material Variation PDF, 149.31 KB
Notification for Completion of Development DOC, 40 KB
PAN - Proposal of Application Notice PDF, 190.79 KB
Pre Application Service PDF, 128.04 KB
Pre-Determination Hearings PDF, 157.08 KB
Processing Agreement Form - Post Submission DOC, 79.5 KB
Processing Agreement Form Pre Submission DOC, 95.5 KB
Processing Agreements PDF, 294.73 KB
Property History Search PDF, 113.89 KB
Submitting Additional Information Online PDF, 279.6 KB
Submitting Electronic Documents PDF, 124.02 KB
Submitting Plans PDF, 130.08 KB
Validation Checklist PDF, 157.9 KB
Wind Turbine Validation Checklist PDF, 178.12 KB
Windows in Conservation Areas information

If you cannot find the form you require on this page please visit the Scottish Government ePlanning.scot website.

The following Supplementary Guidance has been adopted as statutory supplementary guidance and forms part of the development plan for Fife:

Making Fife’s Places

Making Fife’s Places Supplementary Guidance sets out Fife Council’s expectations for the design of development in Fife. It was adopted by Fife Council on 16th August 2018.

Affordable Housing

Good affordable housing is a priority for Fife Council. Supplementary Planning Guidance on Affordable Housing sets out requirements for obligations towards affordable housing provision from housing development in Fife. It was adopted on 11 October 2018.

Download Affordable Housing Supplementary Guidance

Minerals

Minerals Supplementary Planning Guidance provides a context for assessing all types of minerals related applications. It was adopted on 11 October 2018.

Download Minerals Supplementary Guidance

Low Carbon Fife

Low Carbon Fife Supplementary Planning Guidance provides guidance on:

assessing low carbon energy applications
demonstrating compliance with CO2 emissions reduction targets and district heating requirements;
requirements for air quality assessments.

It was adopted on 21st January 2019.

Related publications:

Low Carbon Checklist

The following planning policy guidance has been approved by Fife Council but does not form part of the development plan for Fife:

Planning Obligations

Planning Obligations guidance seeks to ensure that new development addresses any impacts it creates on roads, schools and community facilities. It assists the development industry to better understand the costs and requirements that will be sought by Fife Council and provides certainty to communities and public bodies that new development will have no negative impact.

Planning Obligations Framework Guidance 2026

Houses in Multiple Occupation

Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on Multiple Occupation (HMOs) was adopted in June 2011. It applies to the Central St Andrews Conservation Area. This guidance is being reviewed, and once adopted will form part of the Development Plan for Fife.

Policy for Development and Noise

Policy for Development and Noise looks at both noisy and noise sensitive land. Noise sensitive developments may need to incorporate mitigation measures through design, layout, construction or physical noise barriers to achieve acceptable acoustic conditions.

Download Policy for Development and Noise

Lochgelly Planning & Transportation Guidance

The Lochgelly Supplementary Planning and Transport Guidance provides guidance on urban design and sustainable development for an area in and around Lochgelly. It was adopted in September 2011.

St Andrews Design Guidelines

The St Andrews Design Guidelines provide design principles for buildings, streets and shop fronts in St Andrews Conservation Area and on the main approaches to the town.

Download St Andrews Design Guidelines

Inverkeithing Area Design Guidelines

The Inverkeithing Conservation Area Design Guide provides guidance on repairs, materials, new design, and architectural character for anyone undertaking or determining development in Inverkeithing Conservation Area.