UK Planning Permission Guide for a Garden Shed or Summerhouse?

Adding a garden building, such as a Garden Shed, Summerhouse, Potting Shed or Dog kennel, can be a wonderful addition to your garden and add value and practicality to your home. Before making a purchase, it's a good idea to check if you require UK planning permission. This article aims to help you gain a better understanding of the rules however, it should not be treated as legal advice. Please consult a specialist if in doubt.


Understanding Permitted Development Rights

Most garden sheds, summerhouses, and outbuildings fall under permitted development rights, meaning they do not require planning permission however, there are some caveats to consider:

Key Permitted Development Rules:

Purpose:

    • The building must be for purposes incidental to the main house (e.g., storage, home gym, garden office, or workshop). It cannot be used as a permanent living space.

Size Restrictions:

    • The building or structure must not cover more than 50% of the total land around the original house.
    • If the building or structure is larger than 30 square metres, additional building regulation approval may be required.

Height Limits:

    • 4m maximum for a dual-pitched roof (e.g., Apex Garden Shed)
    • 3m maximum for any other roof type (e.g., Pent Garden sheds)
    • If within 2m of a boundary, the height cannot exceed 2.5m.

Placement:

    • The garden building is generally required to be placed either behind or to the side of the front of your house.
    • If the garden building is located more than 20 metres from the house and exceeds 10 square metres, planning permission may be required.


Special Considerations

While most garden buildings fall within permitted development, there are exceptions which may require planning permission:

1. Listed Buildings

If your home is listed, any outbuildings such as a Garden Shed, Summerhouse, Dog Kennel etc. will likely require planning permission.

2. Designated Areas

Planning permission is likely required for larger structures if you live in a:

  • National Park
  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
  • World Heritage Site
  • Green Belt or Conservation Area

3. Building Regulations

If your garden shed or summerhouse does not require planning permission, building regulations approval may still be required if:

  • The structure is over 30m².
  • It contains sleeping accommodation.
  • It is closer than 1 metre to a boundary and is constructed from combustible materials.


Planning Permission for Specific Garden Buildings

Garden Sheds

Most standard-sized garden sheds do not require planning permission as long as they adhere to permitted development guidelines. However, larger sheds or those near boundaries might need approval.

Summerhouses

Summerhouses may require permission if they exceed size limits or are used for commercial purposes, especially in protected areas. If you plan to install utilities like electricity and plumbing, you may also need building regulations approval.


How to Check if You Need Planning Permission

To avoid potential issues, we would recommend the follow these steps:

  1. Consult Your Local Planning Authority (LPA) – Each council may have slight variations in regulations.
  2. Use the Planning Portal – The UK Government's Planning Portal provides an interactive tool to check your specific requirements.
  3. Seek Professional Advice – If in doubt, consult a professional.


Conclusion on if you need Planning Permission for  Garden Shed or Summerhouse

For most homeowners, installing a garden shed, summerhouse or garden building falls under permitted development and does not require planning permission. However, it's always best to double-check with your Local Planning Authority if in doubt.

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