Skip to main content Skip to accessibility
This website is not compatible with your web browser. You should install a newer browser. If you live in Jersey and need help upgrading call the States of Jersey web team on 440099.
Government of Jerseygov.je

Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Change of commercial use (permissions)

​Planning permission

Essentially, any change of use of land or a building from a current use to a significantly different use is likely to require planning permission. The intensification of a use may also attract the need for planning permission.  

Care must be taken when assessing the significance of a change of use as this area of the law is complex. We would therefore recommend that you contact Planning and Building Services for free pre-application advice.

Some changes of use do not require planning permission and these are set out in Part 8 of the Planning and Building General Development Order 2011.

Planning & Building (General Development) (Jersey) Order 2011
Pre-application advice 
Making an application - planning

Building permission

If a change of use is proposed as defined below you will require building permission.

The information provided below is intended as a guide so that you can obtain an idea of when there may be a material change of use of a building or to land. It does not substitute the need for obtaining appropriate professional advice and we would recommend that you contact Planning and Building Services for free pre-application advice before carrying out any work.

For the purposes of the building bye-laws a material change of use occurs if the use of a building, or part, has changed so that:

  • it is used as a dwelling, where previously it was not
  • it contains a flat, where previously it did not
  • it is used as a hotel or boarding house, where previously it was not
  • it is used as a institution, where previously it was not
  • it is used as a public building, where previously it was not
  • it is not an 'exempt building', where previously it was
  • where it contains at least 1 dwelling, contains a greater or lesser number of dwellings that it did previously
  • it is used as a shop, where previously it was not
  • it is used as an office, where previously it was not
  • in the case of a building that is or contains a dwelling or garage, part of the building is used as a habitable room where previously the part was not

Making an application - building

Back to top
rating button