Planning use classes in England.
Quick answers for owners, occupiers and operators considering a property or site.
Start with the use.
Use classes group types of land and building use. Find a question below for the usual classification and the practical checks for that property.
These guides describe the rules in England. Planning history, conditions, the proposed use and any works can affect the answer. A planning adviser or the local planning authority can assess the particular property.
Leisure and fitness.
Hotels and accommodation.
Shops and services.
- What planning use class is a shop?
- What planning use class is a restaurant?
- What planning use class is a café?
- What planning use class is a hot food takeaway?
- What planning use class is a pub or bar?
- What planning use class is a hair or beauty salon?
- What planning use class is a day nursery?
- What planning use class is a medical clinic?
Offices and industrial.
Use classes and changes.
- What is Class E planning use?
- What is Class B2 planning use?
- What is Class B8 planning use?
- What are Class C planning uses?
- What are Class F planning uses?
- What does sui generis mean in planning?
- When is planning permission needed for a change of use?
- Can a shop be changed into a gym?
- Can an office be changed into a hotel?
- What is Class C3 planning use?
- What is Class C4 planning use?
- Can Class E commercial property be converted to residential use?
- What is prior approval for a change of use?
- How do I find a property’s planning use class?
- Can a shop be changed into a café?
Older use classes.
Official guidance.
Read the Planning Portal guide to use classes and GOV.UK guidance on when permission is required.
Sources reviewed 6 November 2026. General information, not a planning opinion.
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