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Do I need planning permission to add a small wooden canopy over my front door?
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.
Common Questions
If you do not seek planning permission, build without it when it applies, or do not meet specified conditions of a planning permission, this is known as a planning breach.
Your local planning authority can serve an enforcement notice on you when they consider you have broken planning rules. You may be given the opportunity to apply retrospectively, or be required to remove a building or structure, or alter it to make it acceptable.
Your planning application must be made up of:
- The necessary plans of the site
- The required supporting documentation
- The completed form
- The correct fee.
The local planning authority will not be able to process your application unless the mandatory supporting documentation has been provided. You can also attach any other relevant documentation which you think will help the local authority determine the application.
What supporting documentation must be provided depends on the application type, development type and local planning authority.
There are two levels of mandatory documents, national and local. If you’re applying online, the service will tell you what mandatory documentation you need to provide and allows you to attach the relevant documents. Most applications will require you to provide a location plan and a site plan.
In addition to the national list, your LPA may produce a list which details any specific documentation that is required to accompany the application. The requirements may vary according to the type of application, i.e. household, full, outline, etc. If you are applying online, this list is available from the supporting documents screen or your local planning authority’s website.
For more information around what to submit visit the how to apply section on Planning Portal.
In many cases, you can extend a house without applying for planning permission by using what's known as permitted development rights, provided certain limits and conditions are met. However, if your plans go beyond these restrictions, you will likely need to apply for householder planning permission.
A roof window (or skylight) is fitted flush within the slope of a roof, while a dormer projects outward, creating additional headroom and floor space.
Both can be installed under permitted development but must meet specific size and position limits to qualify.
Also consider building regulations for a new dormer, find out more on Planning Portal
Bricking up an external door is classified as permitted development, meaning an application for planning permission is not required to complete the works. You will need to ensure that any materials used are of a similar appearance to the existing exterior of the house.
If you live in a listed building, then you will require planning permission and listed building consent for the change. In this instance it is best practice to talk to your local planning authority.
Find your local planning authority.
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