1 June 2025Planning Basics
The Complete Guide to Planning Permission in Jersey
Everything Jersey homeowners need to know about planning permission — from what needs it to how long it takes. Written by our Jersey planning team.
Do I Need Planning Permission in Jersey?
Most changes to your home require planning permission from the Jersey Planning Department. The key question is whether your proposed works fall within “permitted development” — a set of rights allowing certain minor works without a full planning application.
In Jersey, permitted development rights are more restricted than in England and Wales. Works that almost always need planning permission include:
- Extensions to a dwelling house (front, rear, or side)
- Loft conversions involving dormer windows or structural changes to the roof
- Garage conversions where the garage is integral to the original dwelling
- Changes to the external appearance of a property in a conservation area
Works that may not need planning permission include:
- Small, low outbuildings entirely within the curtilage of a dwelling
- Some internal alterations that do not affect the structural integrity or external appearance
- Replacement windows that match the existing specification in appearance
The safest approach is always to check with a qualified planning agent before starting any works.
What Happens After Planning Is Approved?
Getting planning permission is only half the story. Before your builder can start, you also need:
- Bye-law drawings — detailed construction drawings approved by the Jersey Building Bye-Laws team
- Bye-law approval — formal approval from the Building Bye-Laws team that your drawings meet Jersey’s building standards
Most planning agents produce separate planning drawings and then minimal bye-law drawings. Our Bylaw Plus service produces bye-law drawings at full construction drawing standard — meaning your builder can start the day approval lands.
How Long Does Planning Take in Jersey?
Standard householder planning applications in Jersey are assessed within eight to twelve weeks of a valid application being received. Complex applications — new builds, listed buildings, applications in conservation areas — can take longer.
What Does a Planning Application Include?
A planning application for a householder project in Jersey typically includes:
- Location plan showing the site in context
- Block plan showing the site boundary and proposed works
- Existing drawings (floor plans and elevations)
- Proposed drawings (proposed floor plans and elevations)
- Design and Access Statement for larger projects
- Flood risk assessment for sites in flood risk zones
- Heritage statement for listed buildings or conservation areas
We manage the entire application process — from drawing to decision — as part of our service.
Free Consultation
Not sure whether your project needs planning permission? Book a free consultation with our Jersey planning team. We’ll advise on what’s required, likely costs, and timescales — no obligation.