Planning Permission for Garden Buildings
Does your new Garden Building require Planning Permission or Building Regulations approval.
Planning permission
The permitted development information in this guide refers to houses. Other rules may apply to flats, maisonettes and other buildings.
Garden Buildings such as Log Cabins, Summerhouses, Sheds and Garages, which are used for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the main dwellinghouse, are governed by the planning rules that cover outbuildings.
Since new rules governing permitted development came into force in October 2008, most garden buildings do not need planning permission. Obviously subject to certain rules and criteria:
- No garden buildings are to be constructed in front of the principal (front) wall of the house
- Buildings should be single storey and have a maximum height to the eaves of 2.5m and a maximum overall height of four metres when built with a dual pitched roof or three metres when any other style roof is used
- If the Garden Building is within two metres of any boundary, the maximum height for the building is 2.5metres
- No balconies or raised platforms
- Of the land around the “original house”*, no more than half should be covered by new buildings or additions
- On “designated land”* Garden Buildings erected more than 20m from the property should be no more than 10m² in area.
- On “designated land”* you will require planning permission to build at the side of a property
- Planning permission will always be required in the cutilage (grounds) of a listed building
Building regulations
Small detatched Garden Buildings such as Log Cabins, Summerhouses, Sheds and Garages do not normally need Building Regulations approval if the floor area is less than 15m².
For outbuildings with a floor area of between 15m² and 30m², you will not generally need Building Regulation approval if the new Garden Building is at least one metre from any boundary or is made of substantially non-combustible materials.
The only caveat to these two cases, is that Building Regulations will always apply if the outbuilding includes sleeping accommodation.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is intended to act as a guide to Planning Permission and Building Regulations as they relate to detatched garden buildings.
Local Authorities may have their own interpretation of rules and your property may have covenants in the deeds that add further restrictions.
Proper legal advice should be taken if you are in any doubt as to how the rules apply to your specific installation.
Further details
The following websites provide additional information about Planning Permission and Building Regulations. Websites will open in a new window.
Definitions
Original house
The house as it was first built or, if it was built before 1 July 1948, as it stood before that date. Do remember that a previous owner may have built an extension, even if you have not.
Designated land
Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.
