Garden Rooms & Planning Permission: What You Need to Know
For most homeowners, planning permission isn’t something you need to worry about when adding a garden room. These versatile spaces fall under permitted development rights, meaning you can build one on your property without the hassle of applying for approval as long as it meets certain guidelines.
Garden rooms are officially classed as outbuildings, which means they can be installed without permission, provided they follow the rules set out for permitted development. These regulations exist to ensure your garden room blends seamlessly into your outdoor space without affecting your neighbours or the character of your property.
The great news? This means you can create a stunning home office, gym or studio without unnecessary delays. However, it’s always best to double-check that your garden room meets all the required conditions. Our team are on hand and happy to answer all of your garden room planning permission questions!
Why Garden Rooms Don’t Need Planning Permission
Usage Restrictions
The garden room cannot be used as a self-contained living space, meaning it cannot include sleeping, kitchen, or bathroom facilities. However, it can serve as an office, gym, studio, or relaxation area.
Height Restrictions
If the garden room is within two meters of the boundary, it must not exceed 2.5 meters in height. If it is placed further away, height restrictions may be more flexible, but it is important to check specific regulations.
Size Limitations
To be compliant with permitted development rights, the garden room cannot occupy more than 50% of the total garden space. This includes any other outbuildings or extensions on the property, ensuring that enough outdoor space remains.
Placement Requirements
The garden room must not be positioned in front of the house. It should be placed in the rear or side garden to preserve the visual character of the street and prevent obstruction of views from the road.
Disclaimer: The information below is advice based on our experience and not a definitive source of legal information. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that correct permissions are obtained for their building. Green Retreats do not need evidence of the permissions to complete work. The information below is based on the planning regime for properties in England only.
Garden Room Rules Explained
Watch our video for a clear breakdown of garden room planning permission & permitted development
When Do You Need Garden Room Planning Permission?
Planning Restrictions in Protected Areas
If your home is listed or located in a designated area, such as a national park, the Broads, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a conservation area, or a World Heritage Site, these rights may not apply.
Additionally, some areas have Article 4 directions, which remove permitted development rights. Does this affect you? A quick call to your local planning authority will clear things up in no time! Garden room planning permission requirements may vary if you’re considering adding a garden room, so it’s always best to check first.
Special Permitted Development Criteria
Your permitted development rights may be restricted if you live in a designated area. Designated land includes national parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and World Heritage Sites—places where stricter rules apply.
In these locations, your garden room must be at least 20 metres away from any wall of your house and no larger than 10 square metres to qualify under permitted development.
Build Smart for Permitted Development
To qualify under permitted development, garden rooms must be single-story and under 3m tall. However, if built within 2 metres of your property boundary, the height limit drops to 2.5m, which happens to be the standard height of all Green Retreats’ garden rooms.
Need more headroom? We also offer extended height options of 2.7m or 3m for extra space and comfort!
Your Space, But Not a Living Space
Your garden room can be a home office, gym, studio, or retreat, the choice is yours! However, it cannot be used as a separate, self-contained living space, as this falls outside permitted development. Planning to use it for commercial purposes? You’ll need planning permission. Also, keep in mind that microwave antennas aren’t always allowed under permitted development, so check the rules before installing one!
Outbuilding Constraints: the 50% Land Rule
Your garden room, along with any other outbuildings or extensions, must not exceed 50% of the total land surrounding the original house (as it stood on 1 July 1948). This 50% limit includes sheds, extensions, and any changes made by previous owners, so be sure to factor everything in before building!
obtaining a Certificate of Lawful Development
If you’re unclear about the legality of adding a garden room, we offer a Certificate of Lawful Development service. For a single charge of £500, our planning team will complete an application audit on your behalf. This can be used when selling your house or if your neighbours have concerns. An LDC is chargeable. Find out more here.
I NEED GARDEN ROOM PLANNING PERMISSION, WHAT DO I DO?
In the rare circumstance that you do need garden room planning permission, we’ll take care of it for you!
We provide the planning authority with all needed information, including CAD drawings. Green Retreats manages the communications on your behalf, saving you time and hassle.
Did you know?: Green Retreats do not enforce planning permission rules and do not need evidence of planning permission approval to carry out a project – we will only advise. So, if you decide not to apply for planning permission, that’s up to you.
