Are you planning on building a shed or garage on your property? Well, that can be a great idea.
It provides additional space for securely storing all your garden tools, household items, lawnmowers, and other bulky equipment. But there are a few rules that do apply when it comes to building a shed.
You need to make sure that you have shed plans, and youโre not breaching the planning permission legislature, or you might just get caught up in unnecessary legal bindings. That being said.
When do the rules apply? Do we need planning permission to build a shed? These are a few questions weโre here to address through this guide. So, without further ado, letโs begin.ย
Do Sheds Need Planning Permission?
We donโt wish to beat around the bush so letโs get straight to the point – โdo sheds need planning permission?โ Well, in most cases, they donโt. The answer to this question depends on where you live and what type of shed you wish to build.ย
However, a few other crucial factors that need to be considered before deciding on building a storage shed, garage, greenhouse, or any different structure on your property. If you meet the following set standards and regulations, thereโs no need to apply for planning permission. So, letโs take a lookโฆ
- The shed shouldnโt be built or installed in front of any walls at the front of your house.
- Your building shouldnโt occupy a space of more than 15 m square.
- The exterior finish of the shed should conform to that of your house.
- The height of the shed shouldnโt exceed 3 meters unless you have dual pitched roofs. In that case, it can be 4 meters high.
- The building shouldnโt exceed 2.5 meters if itโs within 2 meters of your property boundary.
- Your shed shouldnโt cover more than 50% of the land around your house, combined with other outbuildings and extensions.
- The building shouldnโt negatively affect spaces of outstanding natural beauty, conservation areas, or any other government-protected lands, such as world heritage sites.
- Make sure there are no verandas, balconies, or raised platforms.
That being said, letโs now move on to answer another critical question related to the need for planning permission.ย
Do Sheds Need Planning Permission In A Conservative Area?
Suppose youโre living in a national park, the broads, an area of outstanding natural beauty, a world heritage site, or a conservation area. In any one of these cases, youโll have to follow an extra set of rules if you plan to build a shed.ย
Firstly, youโll need planning permission to build a shed on the side of your property. And secondly, youโll need to make sure your shed doesnโt take up an area of more than 10 m square. Itโs also important to note that if youโre living in a listed building, planning permission must be obtained before you install a garden shed.
Now, homeowners who fail to meet the required criteria should contact their local building authorities and apply for planning permission. Youโll have to fill out an application, and the average processing time for the same would be around eight weeks.ย
Just make sure you donโt go ahead and build a shed without planning permission in such cases. This may lead to a legally binding order from the local authority to dismantle your unauthorized construction and, of course, a hefty fine.ย
Building Regulations
Itโs equally important to pay attention to building regulations when you plan on building a storage shed. For instance, making sure the structure is secure and not used just as sleeping accommodation.ย
That said, thereโs no need to apply for building regulation if the building floor area is less than 160 square feet. And suppose the floor area is anywhere between 50 and 100 feets. In that case, you wonโt require building regulations, provided the building doesnโt have sleeping accommodation and is at least one meter from any boundary.
Final Words
Is your building within a garden, or is it going to be used for business? Well, if the answer to these questions is no, you donโt need planning permission to construct a shed.
However, there are rules to follow, especially if youโre living in a listed building or within a conservative area. In such cases, youโll have to apply for planning permission to prevent legal hassles in the future.
On that note, we now come to the end of this brief informative guide, and we hope this helped you find all the information related to the topic.ย
With this, weโll take your leave. Till next time!
Related Articles
11 Best Shed Design Software Options
What is a Carport | Sheds Defined, Structure Types, Advantages and Disadvantages