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Do new external steps outside my house need planning permission or building control approval?
Planning permission is not normally required for steps in a garden, however, permission may be required if the steps are part of a larger project such as a raised deck attached to the front of the house.
If the external steps are attached to the house and a roof is constructed, this will become a porch which has different rules attached. Read full details on the planning rules for porches in our common projects section.
Different rules may apply if you live in a designated area such as a conservation area or if the building you live in is listed.
External steps will not normally require building regulations approval unless they are part of the access to the building. If they are then you must ensure that you do not reduce the level of accessibility to the house.
You should contact your local planning authority for further project advice, alternatively, you can apply for a lawful development certificate for confirmation that any changes you make do not require planning permission.
Common Questions
Adding air conditioning to your home is considered permitted development provided all the limits and conditions set out in legislation are met. The limits set out the size, placement and quantity of air conditioning units allowed.
If your home is in a protected area such as a Conservation Area then permission will be required. If you live in a listed building then consent will be required.
The installation of air conditioning must comply with building regulations. It is advisable to contact an installer who can provide the necessary advice, preferably one who belongs to either the Microgeneration Certification Scheme or the relevant Competent Person Scheme.
For more information on air conditioning, read our heat pumps common project.
The conversion of a garage, or part of a garage, into habitable space, will normally require approval under the building regulations.
As part of the garage conversion, it is likely that the original garage door will be in-filled with a new wall and possibly a window or door, and a new foundation may be needed for the new wall.
As well as the foundation, you also need to consider:
- Floor
- Walls
- Ventilation
Read more about the building regulations for garage conversions
Normally planning permission is not required for installing a toilet in an existing area of the property as the change is only internal. If the toilet is part of a wider project such as an extension permission may be required.
If you live in a listed building, then listed building consent will be required for any major changes.
Building regulations will apply to the installation of a toilet in a property, these will cover areas such as ventilation, plumbing and drainage, and size.
A 'listed building' is a building, object or structure in the UK that has been considered as of national importance in terms of architectural or historic interest and included on a register called the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
Buildings are listed to help protect the physical evidence of our past, including buildings, which are valued and protected as a central part of our cultural heritage and our sense of identity. Historic buildings also add to the quality of our lives, being an important aspect of the character and appearance of our towns, villages, and countryside.
There are three listing grades:
- Grade I - Buildings of exceptional interest
- Grade II* - Particularly important and more than special interest
- Grade III - Buildings of special interest, warranting every effort being made to preserve them (this is the most common)
If you live in a listed building it means you cannot demolish or alter the building in a way that changes its character without Listed Building Consent.
You can put one flagpole up to 4.6 metres high in your garden without needing to apply for planning permission. If it is higher than this or you live in a protected area such as a Conservation Area or listed building then consent will be required.
Certain flags can be flown without needing consent, such as national flags.
Read government guidance on flying flags for more information.
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