Belfast residents invited to have say on planning rules for short-term holiday lets

Belfast residents, businesses and property owners have until Monday 16 November 2026 to comment on proposed planning guidance covering short-term accommodation across the city.

Belfast City Council is consulting on draft supplementary planning guidance associated with Policy HOU13 of its Local Development Plan.

The proposals cover accommodation including serviced apartments, aparthotels, self-catering apartments and short-term holiday lets.

What the Belfast short-term lets guidance would cover

The draft guidance is intended to help developers, landowners, planning agents and others understand how applications for short-term accommodation will be assessed.

It outlines planning considerations associated with new developments and proposals to change the use of existing buildings.

The council says the guidance will support and clarify its existing planning policies rather than replace them.

Supplementary planning guidance is non-statutory, but the council states that the information can be a material consideration when planning applications are determined.

Consultation open until 16 November

The draft documents are available through Belfast City Council, with residents able to submit comments using the Your Say Belfast consultation platform.

Documents can also be viewed at council offices in the city centre.

The consultation provides an opportunity for residents, businesses and other interested parties to comment on how short-term accommodation proposals should be assessed in Belfast.

The deadline for responses is Monday 16 November 2026.

The guidance remains in draft form, and no final changes have been announced.

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External: Your Say Belfast consultation platform