Lawful Development Certificate (LDC)
A Certificate of Lawful Development (CLD or LDC) is a formal legal document confirming that a proposed development is lawful as permitted development, or that an existing development was lawful. A proposed householder certificate costs half the equivalent full application fee; an existing certificate normally costs the full equivalent fee.
Application Fee
No VAT on planning fees
Decision Period
From date of validation
When to Use This Application Type
Use when you want legal certainty that your project is permitted development without needing planning permission. Also used for existing development — for example, to confirm that an extension built years ago was lawful.
What to Submit
- 1Completed LDC application form (proposed or existing)
- 2Site location plan
- 3Drawings showing the proposed (or existing) works
- 4Written evidence (for existing developments: photos, builder invoices, correspondence)
- 5Fee: £274 for proposed householder works; usually £548 for existing householder works
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online via the Planning Portal. Find your council to get the right planning authority for your area.
Other Application Types
Householder Planning Application
£5488 weeks from validation (56 days)
Full Planning Application
£6108 weeks (minor), 13 weeks (major) from validation
Listed Building Consent
FREE8 weeks from validation
Prior Approval
£24942 days from the date the application is received