Do I need planning permission for a shed?

The question on every legally-minded gardener’s lips is this: Do I need planning permission for a garden shed?

Well, with some key caveats, I have some good news. Normally, planning permissions is not required to build a shed on your property. So, pop down to Stewart Timber, pick out a design that you like and we’ll deliver and erect it for you!

Okay, onto the caveats. Below we’ll copy in the main rules and regulations in their native legalese with a plain English translation after so we can actually understand it!

 

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

Principal elevation basically means front wall so what this rule means is that you can’t build your shed in front of your front wall.

 

#2 Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual pitched roof or 3 metres for any other roof.

Basically, sheds must be a single story with the lowest point of your shed’s roof no higher than 2.5 meters and the highest point no higher than 4 metres.

Technically, only dual pitched roofs can be 4 meters. All other roofs are limited to a maximum height of 3 meters.

 

#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 your shed is within 2.5 metres of your house, the maximum height is restricted to 2.5 meters.

 

#4 No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.

One of the more straight forward rules. No verandas, no balconies and no raised platforms.

Seriously, though, who’s planning a balcony for their shed? Because we’d like to meet them!

 

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

Basically your shed can’t take up more than half your garden. Unless your garden is super small, that’s probably not going to be an issue.

And on that point, if your shed is going to take up more than half your garden, you’re probably planning on building a barn not a shed!

 

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

Ah, listed buildings. They look very pretty but they do cause a lot of problems. If you’re planning on building a shed in the garden of a listed building, you’ll probably need planning permission.

 

What’s next?

So, that’s that! Follow those simple rules and your shed will survive legal challenges as successfully as a storm!

Now you know your rights it’s time to pick out your ideal shed. At Stewart Timber we’ve got loads of different models, ranging from super affordable apex sheds all the way up to custom designed bespoke sheds.

So, jump over to our garden shed page or visit our timber yard today.