Council Licensing Guide · Scotland
Scottish Short-Term Let Licence Costs by Council
Since October 2023, every short-term let in Scotland needs a licence from its local council. Fees, rules and whether planning permission also applies vary by council. Pick yours for the full breakdown.
Choose Your Council
Aberdeen City Council
Application from £420–£2,980
Aberdeenshire Council
Application from £364–£1,006
Angus Council
Application from £349–£588
Argyll and Bute Council
Application from £285.30–£1,426.60
Clackmannanshire Council
Application from £314.30–£628.70
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles / Na h-Eileanan Siar)
Application from £210–£462
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Application from £324–£454
Dundee City Council
Application from £310–£3,100
East Ayrshire Council
Application from £125–£400
East Dunbartonshire Council
Application from £275–£594
East Lothian Council
Application from £291–£1,275
East Renfrewshire Council
Application from £149–£1,245
Falkirk Council
Application from £157.50–£504
Fife Council
Application from £310–£867
Glasgow City Council
Application from £151–£480
Inverclyde Council
Application from £311–£621
Midlothian Council
Application from £61–£767
North Ayrshire Council
Application from £150–£480
North Lanarkshire Council
Application from £315–£472.50
Orkney Islands Council
Application from £206–£583
Perth and Kinross Council
Application from £175–£1,600
Renfrewshire Council
Application from £263–£1,155
Scottish Borders Council
Application from £417–£537
Shetland Islands Council
Application from £210–£530
South Ayrshire Council
Application from £150–£480
South Lanarkshire Council
Application from £317.86–£953.58
Stirling Council
Application from £113–£453
The City of Edinburgh Council
Application from £120–£5,869
Planning permission also required
The Highland Council
Application from £320–£610
Planning permission may apply (part of council)
The Moray Council
Application from £220–£540
West Dunbartonshire Council
Application from £61–£929
West Lothian Council
Application from £325–£1,000
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The essentials
What Every Scottish Short-Term Let Needs
A licence is mandatory for all short-term lets in Scotland — whole homes, private rooms, and even some home-sharing. Operating without one is a criminal offence, so this isn't optional if you let on Airbnb, Booking.com or privately.
Beyond the application fee, councils require a standard set of safety evidence: an EPC, an electrical safety report (EICR), portable appliance testing (PAT), a gas safety certificate where there's gas, a water/legionella risk assessment, a floor plan, and adequate insurance. Getting those certificates booked early is the single most common thing that delays an application.
In a handful of councils designated as "control areas", using a property as a secondary short-term let also needs planning permission on top of the licence — so always check your specific council's status.