Use classes explained

Here you can find information on the various 'use classes' used in planning. These are important when completing a 'change of use' application.

What are use classes?

Most land and buildings in England are categorised depending on their purpose or use and these categories are set out by the use class order.

Whenever you are thinking of creating, changing or demolishing buildings or land it is important to understand what use class they fall under. This also applies if you are changing how a building or land is used (for instance, turning a residential property into a business) but not necessarily making physical changes.

Sometimes, depending on which use class they come under, work carried out on buildings or land may be covered by per mitted development rights. This means that you do not need to apply for planning permission but you may still need to seek prior approval or notify us before you make the changes.

List of use classes

Below is a full list of the various use classes, along with examples of the types of buildings or land they relate to.

**Use classes explained**
Use Class	Name	Examples of this type of use
A1	shops and retail	shops retail warehouses post offices ticket and travel agencies sale of cold food for consumption off premises hairdressers funeral directors hire shops dry cleaners internet cafes
A2	financial and professional services	banks building societies estate and employment agencies professional services (not health or medical services) job centre tourist information
A3	food and drink	restaurants cafes
A4	drinking establishments	pubs wine bars other drinking establishments
A5	hot food takeaways	takeaways other places that sell hot food to be eaten off of premises
B1(a)	offices (not generally visited by members of the public)	offices (excludes offices ancillary to another use, e.g. the back office within a shop)
B1(b/c)	light industrial production / research	research and development of products or processes. industrial processes which can be carried out in residential areas without causing detriment to the amenity of the area recording studios non-retail photographic studio
B2	general industry	industrial processes other than those in B1(b/c) car repair services catering premises and production
B8	storage and distribution	buildings used for storage warehouses distribution centres catering storage and distribution
C1	hotels	hotels boarding and guest houses (where no significant element of care is provided) bed and breakfasts
C2	residential institutions	residential accommodation and care to people in need of care residential schools, colleges or training centres hospitals nursing homes
C2a	secure residential institutions	prisons young offenders’ institutions detention centres secure training centres custody centres short term holding centres secure hospitals secure local authority accommodation military barracks
C3	residential dwellings (houses)	use as a dwellinghouse or place of residence (regardless of whether it is the main residence)
C4	houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) - 6 units or below	use of a house by 3-6 individuals sharing common facilities Note: Large HMOs (7+ people) are categorised under sui generis (SG)
D1	non-residential institutions	clinics health centres crèches day nurseries schools non-residential education and training centres museums public libraries public halls exhibition halls places of worship law courts dentist vets
D2	assembly / leisure	cinemas concert halls bingo halls dance halls swimming baths skating rinks gymnasiums other areas for indoor and outdoor sports or recreations not involving vehicles or firearms
Sui Generis (SG)	'unclassified' - do not fall into an above category	theatres, large HMO (more than 6 people sharing) hostels petrol filling stations shops selling and/or displaying motor vehicles scrap yards retail warehouse clubs nightclubs launderettes taxi or vehicle hire businesses amusement centres casinos funfairs waste disposal installations betting office pay day loan shop tattoo parlour dog grooming parlour telephone exchanges beauty salon

Further information

If you have any additional questions on use classes please see our FAQs page.