If you plan to put up a small, detached building like a garden shed, garden room, garden office, annexe or summerhouse (all classed as outbuildings), building regulations generally won’t apply if the building has a floor area under 15 square metres and does not include any sleeping accommodation.

For buildings with a floor area between 15 and 30 square metres, building regulations approval is usually not needed - as long as the building does not include sleeping accommodation and either:

• it is at least one metre away from any boundary, or
• it is built mainly from non-combustible materials.

Read more about the building regulations that apply to outbuildings.

Don't forget to check the permitted development rights for outbuildings.

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Significant changes to insulation and thermal elements would normally require building regulations approval. The extent to which this applies depends on the existing insulation and what it will be replaced with.

If the work is completed by a member of a competent persons scheme, then an application for approval will not be required.

Find out more about insulation and building regulations on our common projects.

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Maintenance of fascias and soffit boards such as replacement or painting generally does not require planning permission.

However, if you live in a listed building or designated area (conservation area, national park, area of outstanding natural beauty) you should check with your local planning authority before carrying out any work.

Building regulation approval is not normally required for this work, but you should ensure that the ventilation for the building is not impacted.

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Widening or creating a new external doorway will likely fall under permitted development rights, meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided you meet limits and conditions set out in legislation. If the change is on the side or rear of the building it is more likely to comply with planning regulations.

If you live in a listed building, you will have to apply for listed building consent for any significant works, whether internal or external.

New external doorways which create a new or widened opening must comply with building regulations as they may impact the structure of a building.

Read more on our doors and windows common project.

Once submitted, your planning application first goes through a validation process. After its validated, the formal decision period is 8 weeks. However, in some cases, especially for more complex proposals or if further information is needed, your local authority may request an extension of time.

Understand more about the decision-making process on Planning Portal