Garden shed rules explained - when you need planning permission

A shed is a highly practical addition to any garden, offering a convenient storage solution for gardening tools, furniture and more. It's no wonder that approximately 1.5 million sheds are purchased every year in the UK.

According to experts at MyJobQuote, about 65% of British adults already have a shed. If you're one of those yet to acquire one, you might be contemplating doing so this summer.

However, as it's a permanent structure, you may be questioning whether you need planning permission to erect a shed. To help clarify this issue, property and construction specialist Thomas Goodman from provides all the necessary information.

Do sheds require planning permission?

In short, you typically don't need planning permission to construct a shed. This is because they come under Permitted Development Rights.

Under these regulations, sheds, garages, greenhouses and similar outbuildings intended for domestic use or personal enjoyment, don't require planning permission.

Nonetheless, to qualify as a permitted development, your shed must meet several conditions. Before you begin setting up your shed, it's worth understanding what these are, so you can be certain that you don't need planning permission.

To be considered a permitted development, a shed should be:

• Located to the rear of your house, i.e. in your back garden or yard
• No taller than 3m in height or no more than 4m in height if it has a dual-pitch roof
• Built with eaves that are no higher than 2.5m
• Single-storey
• Under 2.5m in height if it's within 2m of your garden's boundary fence, hedge or wall

When you do need planning permission for a shed

There are instances when planning permission is required for a shed. This typically hinges on the shed's size, location or purpose.

However, local planning restrictions can also dictate whether permission is needed.

Size

If your shed exceeds the dimensions allowed by Permitted Development rules - for instance, if you wish to erect a shed next to your garden fence and it surpasses 2.5m in height - then you'll need to apply for planning permission. Additionally, planning permission will be necessary if constructing a shed results in more than 50% of your outdoor space being occupied by extensions and outbuildings.

Location

Should you desire to position a shed in your front garden, planning permission will be required. It may also be necessary if you plan to situate a shed at the side of your property.

This is particularly true if you reside on designated land. Designated land refers to a location that falls within a National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), conservation area or World Heritage Site.

Local planning restrictions

Properties on designated land face more restrictions than those in other areas. This is to ensure these locations maintain their natural beauty, traditional character or historical value.

Therefore, your local authority might be more particular about the size and location of your shed as well as its construction materials.

Permitted Development Rights do not apply to flats and maisonettes. Thus, if you own a garden flat, it's advisable to contact your local authority first as permission is likely to be required.

Use

The purpose of your shed is also a crucial factor. If you're planning to use it as a home office or for other business purposes, such as running a garden nursery or commercial kennels, you'll require planning permission.

The same applies if you intend to build a self-contained cabin instead of a standard shed.

Does the construction of the shed matter?

Sheds are typically made from timber, metal or plastic. However, if you're considering a more robust and long-lasting option, you might be thinking about constructing a brick shed.

Fortunately, this won't directly influence whether you need planning permission.

However, the design and construction of your shed do matter. If you decide to add a second floor, balcony or veranda, then you will need planning permission.

Are the planning rules uniform across the UK?

You might assume that planning regulations are consistent throughout the UK. Regrettably, there are minor differences in these rules in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

To make matters more complex, the rules are stricter in conservation areas, National Parks and other protected zones.

Not sure if you need planning permission?

Given that the rules aren't identical everywhere, you might be uncertain about whether you need planning permission for your shed. So, what should you do if you're unsure about which rules apply to you?

The most prudent course of action is to get in touch with your local planning department. Their contact details should be readily available on your local authority's website.

It's crucial to do this prior to commencing any work on constructing a shed.

Might there be other permissions required?

There could be additional permissions that you might need before you can erect a shed. Hence, it's always beneficial to double-check.

If you reside in a listed building, you'll need to secure Listed Building Consent before you can install a shed. If your dwelling is leasehold rather than freehold, you'll need to obtain permission from the freeholder first.

This may also apply to homes constructed on private estates.