UK planning permission
In the UK, planning permission is typically not required for a garden room if it meets certain conditions. Most garden rooms fall under Permitted Development Rights, which allow homeowners to build certain structures without needing formal planning permission. However, there are specific rules and restrictions to follow:
Key Conditions for Garden Rooms Without Planning Permission:
Purpose:
-
The garden room must be used for incidental purposes to the main house, such as a home office, gym, or storage space. It cannot be used as a self-contained living space or for overnight accommodation.
Size and Height:
-
The garden room must not cover more than 50% of your garden area (this includes existing structures like sheds).
-
The building must be single-storey.
-
If the garden room is within 2 metres of the property boundary, the maximum height must not exceed 2.5 metres.
-
If it's placed further than 2 metres from the boundary, the maximum height can be:
-
4 metres for a dual-pitched roof.
-
3 metres for any other type of roof.
Location:
-
The garden room must not be placed forward of the front elevation of your house.
-
In Conservation Areas, National Parks, or areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stricter regulations apply.
Usage Restrictions:
-
If the garden room will be used for business purposes or is intended to be a separate dwelling, you will likely need planning permission.
Situations That Require Planning Permission:
​
-
​If the building is larger than the permitted size or exceeds height restrictions.
-
If you live in a listed building or protected area, where special rules apply.
-
If the structure is used for overnight accommodation or as a self-contained living space.
Building Regulations:
-
If the garden room is less than 15m² and does not include sleeping accommodation, building regulations generally do not apply.
-
​For garden rooms between 15m² and 30m², you’ll need to ensure the structure is placed at least 1 metre away from any boundary, or it must be built from non-combustible materials.​
To be certain of your specific situation, it’s always advisable to check with your local planning authority or use the UK Government’s Planning Portal.