Article 4 by council › Norwich
HMO Article 4 in Norwich
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Norwich? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
No. Norwich had no HMO Article 4 direction in force when checked.
A small HMO of 3 to 6 people is permitted development in Norwich, subject to HMO licensing. Checked 8 September 2026.
Check an exact postcode
A direction can cover part of a council, and the national dataset is incomplete. This asks the planning data service for the exact point and falls back to the council's own statement.
Licensing in Norwich
Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.
Additional licensing: none found. HMO Licensing Policy (adopted by cabinet 6 July 2022), para 2.2: the council does not currently undertake any additional licensing but reserves the right to consider a scheme in future, subject to consultation.
Selective licensing: none found. Not mentioned; the council HMO licensing page and the HMO Licensing Policy describe the mandatory scheme only.
What an Article 4 direction means
HMO Article 4 directions remove the permitted-development right to convert a family home (C3) to a small HMO (C4, 3 to 6 people). Inside one, that conversion needs full planning permission. Councils may also run additional licensing (smaller HMOs) or selective licensing (all private rentals) in designated areas. Planning permission and licensing are separate: a licence does not grant planning permission, and permission does not remove the need for a licence.
Sources: Norwich council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.