Whereas permaculture ethics are more akin to broad moral values or codes of behavior, the principles of permaculture provide a set of universally applicable guidelines which can be used in designing sustainable habitats. Distilled from multiple disciplines—ecology, energy conservation, landscape design, and environmental science—these principles are inherent in any permaculture design, in any climate, and at any scale.

• Relative location
• Each element performs multiple functions
• Each function is supported by many elements
• Energy efficient planning
• Using biological resources
• Energy cycling
• Small-scale intensive systems
• Natural plant succession and stacking
• Polyculture and diversity of species
• Increasing "edge" within a system
• Observe and replicate natural patterns
• Pay attention to scale
• Attitude