Do I Need Planning Permission or Building Regulations for Garden Buildings?

Lugard 5th AvenueGarden buildings can be an excellent addition to your home and give you the possibility to use the new space for a wide range of things. However, before purchasing your log cabin or summerhouse, you need to make sure whether you need planning permission or building regulations.

Here is some general guidance, to get you started:

Planning Permission

Garden buildings such as summer houses and log cabins that are not connected to or extensions of a main dwelling generally don’t needing planning permission. Below, are some important rules that you need to consider:

  • If the building is attached to or an extension of the main dwellings you will need planning permission.
  • Planning permission is needed for garden buildings of more than one storey with maximum eaves height of above 2.5 metres and maximum overall height above four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
  • If your building is to be situated within 2 metres of either your property boundary or the main dwelling it cannot have a maximum height of more than 2.5 metres without planning permission.
  • Planning permission is needed for verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
  • The area of your garden building cannot cover more than 50% of the area of land around the original dwelling.
  • If you live in a National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a World Heritage Site and the building is more than 20 meters from your dwelling, it cannot be more than 10 square metres in size.
  • If you live in a listed building, conservation area or on other designated land then you must contact your local council to ask if planning permission is needed.

Building Regulations

Generally you will not need building regulations if:

  • The building is less than 15 square metres and does not contain sleeping accommodation
  • If the garden building is either at least one metre from your boundary or if it is constructed of mainly non-combustible materials then you won’t usually need building regulations up to 30 square metres in size.
  • If you are planning to use your garden building to use as an office and wish to have employees or customers either working or visiting, then it is advisable to make sure whether building regulations and other industrial legislation apply.

Important

Planning Permission and Building Regulations can differ from area to area and are subject to change and local by-laws. The information given here is for general guidance only and you are strongly advised to discuss building regulations and planning permission with your local council and any potential garden building vendor prior to purchase. We accept no liability for any loss or damage caused by the guidance given above.

 

Billyoh Log Cabins - RedShed