Do I need planning permission for my shed?

Generally speaking sheds do not need planning permission however there are specific rules affecting whether or not sheds need planning permissions. It is very important to check with your local authority as some areas have differing restrictions from these rules.

For planning permission not to apply garden sheds need to:

  • Have only one storey
  • *Have eaves (the lowest part of the roof) lower than 2.5m metres, with an overall maximum height of no more than 4m for an Apex style building or 3m for any other type of roof.
  • Not have a veranda or balcony
  • Not be raised on a platform higher than 300mm
  • Not have a microwave antenna
  • Not be a separate, self contained living area

*there are exceptions to this rule depending on how close the shed is to a boundary

Shed Placement

The rules on where you can place a shed or summerhouse are also strict:

  • The shed should be at least 2m from any boundary if more than 2.5m tall or 1m from the boundary if lower than 2.5m
  • Not to be forward of the principle elevation (front wall) of the original house
    • The original house is defined as as a the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1st July 1948 if it was built before that date)
  • The building must not take up more than 50% of all the land around the original house, nor is it allowed to combine with any other outside buildings to take up more than 50% of all the land around the property
    • For example if there is a kennel that takes up 15% of the land and a summerhouse that takes up 30%, planning permission would be required if you wanted to build a shed that takes up another 20% (15% + 30% + 20% = 65%)
    • Please Note: Extensions and conservatories are not considered part of the original house and so are classed as taking up a portion of the surrounding area as well

We highly recommend that you do your own research for planning regulations in your local area. Some local authorities have their own rules that can change these rules. This is especially prevalent if you live in one of the following:

  • A designated area
  • A national park
  • An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB / AoONB)

Planning Permission and Working from home

If you are planning on working from home in a shed or summerhouse you don’t usually need planning permission to do so. It is worth noting though that there are still rules that you need to abide by. Your home need to:

  • Still be primarily used as a private residence
  • Not cause a marked increase in people visiting the house or increase the traffic from visitors
  • Not have deliveries which cause disturb neighbours
  • Not create excessive noise or smells, particularly during unreasonable hours
  • Not involve thing that aren’t usual for a private home

The main contention when considering using your shed or summerhouse as your place of work is whether it will alter the purpose of the home. Having a shed or summerhouse devoted to work is fine, however, if the business or work causes excessive disruption to neighbours or changes the purpose of the house (i.e. from a home into a shop) then planning permission will be required. Please also bear in mind you may need other forms of permits or permissions from the local council for certain business types.