Garden shed planning permission 

Garden shed planning permission 

Garden sheds have become a popular addition to your garden. It’s essential to factor in planning permission in carrying out home improvements. When you’re well informed on garden shed planning permission, you won’t have your shed taken down.  

This article discusses more on planning permission for your bespoke garden shed. 

What is planning permission? 

Planning permission refers to receiving a building permit to build a new structure on your property or an addition to an existing one. These permits are essential to keep your garden shed project on track and your home insurance active. 

Since 2008, sheds have been covered under the ‘Permitted Developments Rights Act in the UK, which means you’re granted automatic permission without applying as long as you’re within specific regulations.  

These instances include: 

• If it doesn’t cover over 50% of the garden.
• Garden buildings within 2m of the boundary should be under 2.5m in height. 
• Garden buildings more than 2m away from the boundary can be up to 4m in height. 
• The shed is within 2 meters of the property boundary.
• It’s not located on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
• The shed has no balcony or veranda.
• The garden building will adopt less than 50% of the overall garden and be less than 30m² in size. 
• The garden building will be less than 15m² if within 1m of the boundary. 
• Garden buildings at addresses within special planning zones* may be limited to 10m² if positioned closer than 20m to the house. 
• The shed doesn’t cover over 15m of ground. 
• The construction doesn’t intrude on a Conservation Area. 
• The garden building will be ancillary to the house and not be used for permanent accommodation or commercial purposes. 

What do you do if you need planning permission? 

You should first contact your local authority and understand the plans that can apply to you. You then apply to the government’s Planning Portal if you need it. It may take 8 to 10 weeks for a decision on your application. This applies whether you require a summer house planning permission, or a bespoke garden shed. 

Reasons why you need a planning permission 

Garden sheds require you to check with your local authority and discover the applicable rules. You would need planning permission if your building were listed, you want to build the shed on designated land, or you want to put the storage in woodland. 

 Always seek the local authority’s advice to avoid them having the legal right to tear it down. Do not risk building without consulting for a simple summer house planning permission. It applies even for a wooden gazebo planning permission. Confirm that all regulations apply before you try and proceed as a Permitted Development so you can understand the planning permission for the shed in back garden. 

First, the size of the shed influences whether you need a permit. If the dimensions are small, you don’t need them, but you should always check with the local government to find out the allowed footprint. 

The shed’s location also dictates if you need one, as some areas are prohibited. The sheds shouldn’t be near any fence, the house, trees, property line, or structures in your yard.  The intended purpose is also a determining factor; if you need it for extra storage space, you don’t need it. However, you’ll need it to extend or use the living space for business purposes. 

Also, building codes are influential despite differing in every country but are all based on the International Building Code (IBC). Local laws can also alter the IBC and implement stricter rules for the garden shed structures. 

Size limits of an ideal garden shed

A primary concern for garden sheds is the size limit imposed by planning authorities. Homeowners can construct up to a specific size if they don’t have planning permission. In the UK, you don’t need Building Regulations Consent for your shed if it’s under 15 square meters and needs sleeping accommodation. The maximum shed size without planning permission is 2.5m tall at the eaves, while the overall height should be at most 4m if the shed has a dual-pitched roof or 3m for other roof types. 

Also, the floor area should be at most 50% of your property’s 
total land space, and it should only cover more area at the ground level than the original house. Lastly, you cannot build on lands classified as areas of outstanding natural beauty, world heritage sites, broads, national parks, or sites of scientific interest. 

What happens if you don’t comply with the rules? 

When you follow planning permission rules, you can avoid fines and penalties imposed by local authorities for noncompliance, difficulties in selling your property as the structures are unauthorized, and neighbour disputes that arise from unauthorized development. 

Comprehending a garden shed planning permission builds confidence when pursuing a successful garden shed project. Always consult your local authority, even for the simplest projects, including on a log cabin planning permission. 

Get in touch with us at Lugarde for impressive designs and high-quality garden shed structures for you.