England Use Classes Order • Residential

    Use C3: Class C3 (Dwellinghouses)

    Use as a dwellinghouse (whether or not as a sole or main residence).

    Use this overview to plan your research. Verify current requirements and site-specific conditions against the relevant primary sources. Read our data sources, coverage and limits guide.

    Jurisdiction and source

    This guide covers England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different use-class and permitted-development rules. A use class is not permission for building works or proof that a change is lawful at a particular site.

    Use Classes Order — current legislation

    GOV.UK — use classes and when permission is required

    England GPDO — Part 3 changes of use

    Examples

    • C3(a) Single person or family
    • C3(b) Up to 6 residents living as a household with care provided
    • C3(c) Up to 6 residents not falling within C4

    Potential change-of-use routes

    Change toConditions
    Class C4 (HMO)Permitted under Class L of GPDO Part 3, except in Article 4 areas where direction removes PD

    Permission and prior-approval checks

    Article 4 areas remove PD rights

    Design notes

    Check the adopted housing-design policies, any applicable space-standard requirement, neighbour amenity and building regulations. A C3 label alone does not set a storey height, dual-aspect requirement or development capacity.

    Policy reference

    Use Classes Order 1987, as amended. Nationally Described Space Standard March 2015.

    Questions

    What is Use Class C3?

    Use as a dwellinghouse (whether or not as a sole or main residence).

    Can I change use without planning permission from Class C3?

    This summary lists the following potential changes: Class C4 (HMO): Permitted under Class L of GPDO Part 3, except in Article 4 areas where direction removes PD. Check current rules and site-specific restrictions before relying on a right.

    Check use class against your site

    Explore available planning constraints for the address, then verify the applicable use class and any restrictions with the planning authority.

    Explore planning constraints

    Review current plans and usage and source coverage for your project.

    Related

    Use E: Class E (Commercial, Business and Service)

    Commercial

    Use F.1: Class F.1 (Learning and Non-Residential Institutions)

    Community

    Use F.2: Class F.2 (Local Community)

    Community

    Use C1: Class C1 (Hotels)

    Residential

    Use C2: Class C2 (Residential Institutions)

    Residential

    Use C2A: Class C2A (Secure Residential Institutions)

    Residential