One of the most frequently asked questions we get is, ‘do I need planning permission for a garden room?’. So to answer this question and everything related to it, we’ve put together a few questions and our answers to help you learn all about garden room planning permission regulations and considerations.

Keep reading for Urban Escapes expert advice on garden room planning permission.

FAQs on Garden Room Planning Permission

Below, you will find the most frequently asked questions about garden room permitted development. If you are looking for garden room ideas, read our blog!

Do you need planning permission for a garden room?

As long as a garden room adheres to building regulations and permitted development, in most cases, it will not require planning permission. In short, as long as garden rooms fall under 2.5m tall, are not in the front or side of the house, and will not be used for overnight accommodation, then they will be exempt from planning permission. Therefore you can have a garden room installed at your property without the hassle and expense of gaining planning permission.

Why does a garden room not need planning permission?

Garden rooms are classed as ‘outbuildings’ and, therefore, can be built on your property without permission as long as you comply with permitted development guidelines.

How will I know if I need planning permission?

This all depends on if you have permitted development rights at your property or the area that you live in. If you are not sure, you can check with your Local Planning Office.

What happens if I need garden room permitted development?

If your garden room needs development permission, then we can support you throughout the application by providing all relevant information, including CAD drawings. We also offer an upgrade package whereby we do the application on your behalf.

Does an Urban Escapes garden studio need planning permission?

The majority of Urban Escape Studios do not require planning permission or building regulations approval because:

1. Studios have a maximum height of 2.5 metres.
2. If the studio has an internal floor area of between 15 and 30 square
metres, it will be built at least 1 metre away from any boundary.
3. Urban Escape Studios will build to a maximum internal floor area of 30
square metres.

Our studios are designed to comply with the government-permitted development law, subject to the following limits and conditions:
1. No studio is to be built on land in front of the main house.
2. Studios should be single-storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5
metres.
3. Any studio deck must not exceed 0.3 metres in height.
4. The studio should not cover more than half the area of land around the
“original house”.
5. In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and
World Heritage Sites, the maximum area to be covered by a studio more
than 20 metres from the house should be less than 10 square metres.
6. On designated land, studios at the side of properties will require planning
permission.
7. Within the curtilage of listed buildings, any studio will require planning
permission.

Do garden rooms need building regulations?

Building regulations will not normally apply if the floor area of the studio is less than 15 square metres and contains NO sleeping accommodation. If the floor
area of the studio is between 15 square metres and 30 square metres, you will not normally be required to apply for building regulations approval providing that
the building contains NO sleeping accommodation and is either at least one metre from any boundary.

Garden room permitted development guidelines & considerations

Do you still have questions? We’re not surprised. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of development guidelines can be challenging, so here is some
more information on height, total area, location and more.

Garden Room Height

Your garden room must be single-story with a total roof height of no more than 2.5m from ground level.

Total area

Outbuilding planning permission guidelines restrict you from building on more than 50% of your land around the original house. Previous home extensions or
outbuildings (Sheds included!) built on the property since 1948, even from previous owners, are included in the ‘original’ house.

Garden outbuilding location

Planning permission is required if the garden room is built in front of the principal elevation of the house (front of the house) or to the side of your house.
It must also not be built closer to the public road or footpath than the property itself.

Garden room usage

Garden rooms are permitted to be used for daily living. However, it is prohibited to use them for overnight or self-contained living accommodations.

Exterior Finishes

The guidelines state that you must not build verandas, balconies or raised platforms. Any raised platform or decking is limited to 3cm high. This is to
ensure that your neighbours keep their privacy and to ensure views from other gardens are not disrupted.

Designated Land

Permitted development may not be allowed in certain areas classed as designated land, such as; national parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites. In these locations, the total area to be covered by garden rooms more than 20 metres from any walls of the house
must not exceed 10 square metres to fall within permitted development.

Your home

Flats, maisonettes or other buildings are not included within permitted development. It only applies to houses.

If your house is a listed building or in a designated area, then permitted development may not apply. Designated land includes national parks and the
Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

In some areas, Article 4 directions may mean that your permitted development rights have been removed, but a quick chat with your local planning authority
will give you that information.

Conclusion on Garden Room Planning Permission

Most of the time, garden rooms do not need planning permission. Meaning you
can create a beautiful outdoor space, providing additional room easily and quickly without the hassle of planning permission.

If you are still unsure and still need to determine whether you might need planning permission, then get in touch, and our friendly and knowledgeable
team will be glad to help!

01273 208776|[email protected]

Disclaimer: The information below is advice based on our experience and is not a definitive source of legal information. It is the responsibility
of the customer to ensure that correct permissions are obtained for their building.