You won’t need planning permission for your shed in most cases, as long as you stick to a few simple guidelines. See below for a full list of restrictions set out by the planning authority. All construction projects will be governed by your local council, which will have the final say on matters concerning any outbuildings you construct in your garden. If you are unsure of any of the rules, regulations and restrictions set out on the Planning Portal (as described in this guide) you should contact them for advice.

Most sheds are considered permitted development, meaning you have the right to construct one in your garden without planning permission. Read on below for all the exceptions to what is considered a permitted development.

This post details planning restrictions for outbuildings within the UK, but more specifically in England. Outbuildings consist of sheds, playhouses, greenhouses and garages and may also include other similar structures used in the garden, such as swimming pools, ponds, sauna cabins, dog kennels, fenced areas (including tennis courts), and any other type of structure used for purposes related to enjoying the main house.

A lean-to veranda, attached to the house, will also have restrictions in place but these are slightly different to those listed below. You can read my DIY veranda build guide for more details.

List of restrictions for building a garden shed

Sheds are considered permitted developments, not requiring planning applications if they meet the following limits and conditions:

1. No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
2. Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
3. Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.
4. No verandas, balconies or raised platforms (a platform must not exceed 0.3 metres in height)
5. No more than half the area of land around the “original house”* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
6. 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.
7. On designated land* buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission.
8. Within the curtilage of listed buildings any outbuilding will require planning permission.

If you are looking to build your own shed from scratch or construct a flat-pack shed then you will need to understand each of these restrictions.

Let’s take a look at these in a little more detail in case you are unsure about any of them.

1. No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.

This means that there can’t be any additional structures built in front of the main building, where the front wall of the main building is located. The principal elevation of your house will be the wall (or walls) closest to the nearest highway or road. This image demonstrates the restriction where two walls form the principal elevation.

I know this is an American-style house but it helps me demonstrate this restriction. The light blue line shows the principal elevations, whilst the red line shows the area that cannot have an outbuilding constructed. For example; a shed cannot be constructed on this side of the line.

2. Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.

This is pretty clear cut and can easily be demonstrated in the below image. Just be sure to read the next point before you go any further! (If your shed is to be located within 2m of a neighbouring boundary.)

3. Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.

If you’re planning to build your shed within 2m of a neighbouring boundary then the overall maximum height cannot exceed 2.5 meters. This rule will affect the majority of people which is why most shed manufactures will ensure their designs are within this size.

4. No verandas, balconies or raised platforms (a platform must not exceed 0.3 metres in height)

A raised platform cannot be higher than 30cm from the floor. This includes decking areas, balconies, verandas and any other platform that can be walked on. If you are intending to build your shed on a decking area you must ensure it is not raised above 30cm.

This rule can be complicated when you have a garden located on a slope or uneven ground. The question many people ask is; where is the 30cm point measured? From the lowest point or from the highest point?

There is a lot of debate around this subject and in many ways, it would be best to confirm with your local authority. It’s also a great idea to chat with your neighbours and talk them through your plans. That way you will be able to gauge whether the shed (or outbuilding) will be an issue. If your neighbours aren’t opposed to the structure then you’re pretty safe.

Here are some extracts from the official documentation on the matter. These state that the height should be measured from the area closest to the ground. The section on the right in the above image.

You can read the full guide here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance

“Height” – references to height (for example, the heights of the eaves on a house
extension) is the height measured from ground level. (Note, ground level is the surface of
the ground immediately adjacent to the building in question, and would not include any
addition laid on top of the ground such as decking. Where ground level is not uniform (for
example if the ground is sloping), then the ground level is the highest part of the surface of
the ground next to the building.)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830643/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf

And building is defined as:

“Building” – includes any part of a building and includes any structure or erection, but does
not include mechanical plant or machinery or gates, fences, walls, or other means of
enclosure.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830643/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf

From this document, it should be understood that the measurement is taken from the point closest to the ground. As described above, always take to neighbours and use common sense that your shed platform is not going to impact anyone around you.

You can read more about building a shed base on uneven ground in my other post. Follow the button below for the full article.

5. No more than half the area of land around the “original house”* would be covered by additions or other buildings.

*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.

In the below example, we can see that the total number of garden buildings does not take up more than 50% of the area surrounding the original house. It doesn’t matter if you have one, or several buildings, you cannot take up more than 50%.

6. 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.

This will not apply to most of us out there. Only if you live in, or on one of these designated areas should you adhere to this rule. If you do fall within this category your shed will be limited to a footprint of no more than 10 square meters.

When measuring the 20m, the measurement is taken from any part of the original house. As shown in this image.

7. On designated land* buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission.

If you are included in one of the designated land categories in section 6 then you will not be permitted to build your shed to the side of your house.

8. Within the curtilage of listed buildings any outbuilding will require planning permission.

For this final point, the restriction only applies to those who live in listed buildings. If this is the case then no outbuildings, including sheds can be built without planning consent from your local authority.

We can apply a lot of common sense when planning the best location and size for our sheds. These restrictions and rules are put in place to protect each other from placing structures that might impose on each other. After all, you wouldn’t want someone to build a shed that blocks out most of your natural sunlight or prevents you from seeing natural scenery from your house.

You can read the full technical guidance on the Governments website: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830643/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf

With consideration and communication, we can all find a solution that works and doesn’t infringe on anyone. Stick within these rules and there shouldn’t be any cause for concern. If in doubt, talk to your neighbours and failing that check with your local planning authority for the green light on your perfect shed design and location.