Below is an overview of the current rules regarding outbuildings. However, if you are unsure whether your planned building falls into the category of ‘outbuildings’ or if you are unsure if planning permission is required, please contact your local planning authority.

Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not needing planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
• Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres.
• Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the main dwelling.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms (a platform must not exceed 0.3 metres in height).
• No more than half the area of land around the “original house”* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
• In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20 metres from the house to be limited to 10 square metres.
• On designated land* buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission.
• Within the curtilage of listed buildings any outbuilding will require planning permission.

*The term “original house” means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.

*Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

You are strongly advised to read a technical guidance document produced by the Government to help understand how permitted development rules might apply to your circumstances.

If you are still unsure, the current full Government technical guidance ‘Permitted development rights for householders’ can be found here:
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