Do I need planning permission for a large shed?

Category: home and garden landscaping
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Garden sheds, greenhouses and other buildings
Planning permission is not required provided that: The ground area covered by the shed/greenhouse/building and any other buildings within the boundary of the property, excluding the original house, is not more than half the total area of the property.



Considering this, what is the maximum size shed without planning permission?

If your shed is less than 2m from your property's boundary, the whole building should not be more than 2.5m high. To avoid planning permission, sheds should be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m for flat roofs, 4m for dual pitched roofs or 3m in any other case.

Also Know, what size shed needs council approval? You don't need council approval on 10 square metres or smaller shed. In other areas, the most significant size is 9sqm while others it goes up to 20 sqm. In many areas, sheds that are below 2.4 metres in height don't need council approval.

Likewise, how big can a summer house be without planning permission?

You can build a summerhouse — referred to in permitted development legislation as an outbuilding — with a twin pitched roof up to four metres in height that's no more than 2.5 metres to the eaves, or of 2.5 metres with a flat roof, without planning permission.

Do you need planning permission to turn a garage into a room?

Planning permission is not usually required to convert your garage into additional living space for your home, providing the work is internal and does not involve enlarging the building. A condition attached to a planning permission may also require that the garage remain as a parking space.

38 Related Question Answers Found

Can I build a shed next to my Neighbours fence?

Butting your shed right against a garden fence doesn't allow the shed room to 'breathe' and is an invitation for damp to set in. Don't use a shed side as a replacement fence side. Your current neighbour may have no problem with it, a future neighbour may well do.

What is the maximum size of a garden shed?

Sheds should be single storey. There should be no platforms, balconies or verandas on sheds. Sheds should be a maximum of three metres high unless they have dual pitched roofs, in which case they can be up to four metres high.

Can I put a toilet in my shed?

Yes, it is possible to have a toilet in your backyard office. It will naturally take up a bit more space, because you will have to put in a room partition wall. Beyond that, you can either run water and drainage to your office shed - or take the easiest option of a waterless composting toilet.

What can I build in my garden without planning permission?

Outbuildings such as sheds, garages, greenhouses and some other structures are also considered to be permitted development. You can build a garage or outbuilding on your property without planning permission as long as it's of a reasonable size – no higher than 4 metres.

Can you live in a shed legally UK?


The short answer is no, if you're talking about a traditional garden shed. A garden building that is to be used as a 'granny annexe' or regular sleeping accommodation will require planning permission and must meet current building regulations. With a few modifications you can use your shed as an extra bedroom.

Does a shed count as a building?

Garden sheds, greenhouses and other buildings
The shed / greenhouse / building is used for domestic purposes only. 2. The ground area covered by the shed/greenhouse/building and any other buildings within the boundary of the property, excluding the original house, is not more than half the total area of the property.

Can I put a shed right next to my house?

You typically can't build a shed within 10 feet of the rear property line and 15 feet from a side property line. There should be sufficient room between your shed and your neighbor's yard. If there is any question, review your permit, check with your HOA, or contact your municipality office.

How close to my boundary can I build a garage?

The maximum eaves height of the garage/car port is 2.5 metres if it is within 2 metres of the property boundary. 6. No part of the garage is within 3.5 metres of the boundary with a road to the rear of the house.

What is the 4 year rule?

The '4 Year Rule' allows you to make a formal application for a certificate to determine whether your unauthorised use or development can become lawful through the passage of time — not through compliance with space standards — and can be continued without the need for planning permission.

Do I need planning permission for a garden room with toilet?


So, if you are planning a office with toilet, a bedroom with shower room or a full blown granny annexe you will need to apply for Building Regulations. Large garden rooms of 30 sqm or more also need Building Regulation approval.

Can I put a summerhouse on decking?

It's possible to build your cabin on foundations made of secure, level timber decking, with a weed-proof membrane between the ground and the timber. The timber must be pressure-treated to withstand damp. Timber decking is attractive and works well with summer houses and log cabins of most sizes.

Can I put a Portacabin in my garden?

If that unit is less than 2.5 metres in height, then locating it directly adjacent to any boundary is acceptable. If you install it with a space all around it, then there is no breach of planning control as long as the use is considered to be use for domestic purposes.

What size garden room do I need without planning permission?

Garden rooms or buildings do not require planning permission, if they fall within permitted development guidelines. To classify as an 'outbuilding' under permitted development rules, it must not contain sleeping accommodation and must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m.

Do you need planning permission for a summer house in the garden?

The majority of summerhouses and garden rooms do not require planning permission. However, permission is required for any summerhouse which covers over half the garden, which is not for domestic use or which is over 3 metres high with a pent roof or 4 metres high with an apex roof.

Do you need planning permission for a log cabin in your garden?


The general rule of thumb is that the larger the log cabin home and the closer its proximity to a boundary, the higher the chances that you are going to need planning permission. You DON'T need a planning permission if… * The proposed design of the log cabin is within the definition of a “permitted development.”

Is a pergola an accessory structure?

Accessory buildings are outdoor structures such as attached or detached garages, sheds, playhouses, storage buildings, pergolas, garden structures, greenhouses, private studios, boathouses, pool houses, cabanas, and other similar residential buildings.

What happens if you don't have planning permission?

If you do require planning permission but you proceed without it, you will have committed a planning breach. In the event of a planning breach, you will need to submit a retrospective application to the local council. If this is successful, you will not need to take any further action.