Rules governing outbuildings apply to sheds, playhouses, greenhouses and garages as well as other ancillary garden buildings such as swimming pools, ponds, sauna cabins, kennels, enclosures (including tennis courts) and many other kinds of structures for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse.

If you are unsure if your planned building falls into the category of 'outbuildings' or if you are unsure if planning permission is required, please contact your local planning authority.

Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not needing planning permission, subject certain limits and conditions.

Read about the limits and conditions for outbuildings

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Demolishing and building a new lean-to will still have comply with planning requirements.

If you live in a conservation area or listed building you may require approval for the demolition.

Whether a lean-to requires planning permission will depend on what the lean-to is used for, it may be an extension, pergola, carport, conservatory or gazebo.

In some cases a building a lean-to will be classified as permitted development, meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided specified limits and conditions are met. If these are exceeded, then you must apply for planning permission.

Permitted development rules vary based on the type of work you are completing, visit our interactive house mini guides for details on the specific rules.

If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant changes.

Adding a porch canopy is classed as permitted development provided it meets the limits and conditions set out in legislation. Where this is the case, no application for planning permission is required.

Porches must meet the following limits:

• the ground floor area (measured externally) would not exceed three square metres.
• no part would be more than three metres aboveground level (height needs to be measured in the same way as for a house extension).
• no part of the porch would be within two metres of any boundary of the dwellinghouse and the highway.

Read our mini guide for additional information on installing a porch.

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Increasing the size of a window will often fall under permitted development rights, meaning an application for planning permission is not required to make the change, provided limits and conditions are met.

Any new window must be of similar appearance to the original which you are replacing.

Permitted development rights do not apply to flats. To increase the size of a window in a flat or maisonette you will require planning permission.

 If you live in a listed building, you will require listed building consent for any major changes.

Where the work has as significant impact on the external appearance of the house, especially on the principal elevation, planning permission may be required.

Building control approval will likely be required where the change impacts the structure of a building, this primarily occurs when an opening Is widened. When altering walls you may want to consult a structural engineer.

Building control will also consider energy efficiency, glazing, ventilation and fire safety.

Permitted development rights allow certain types of work to be carried out without the need to apply for planning permission. It typically covers things like small extensions, loft conversions and outbuildings, provided they meet specific size and location limits. These rights can vary or be removed in areas like conservation zones and by Article 4’s, so it’s best to check before proceeding.  

Read about permitted development and Article 4 directions on Planning Portal

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