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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
Verandas will often require planning permission as they do not fall under permitted development rights. If the veranda is raised over 0.3 metres, covers more than 50% of the land around your house, is on the principal elevation or on a roof then it will need planning permission.
You may require additional consents if you live in a Conservation Area or listed building. If you are unsure, you should contact your local planning authority.
For more information about planning permission for verandas and balconies, read our common project.
Yes, in most cases you can use an outbuilding as a home office without needing planning permission. As long as the use remains incidental to the main dwelling it is still considered part of your domestic residential use.
Many trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) which means that, in general, you need the council's consent to prune or fell them.
A TPO is placed on a tree, group of trees or woodland with the aim of protecting them. The following is prohibited on a protected tree, without the local planning authority's (LPA) consent:
- Felling
- Topping
- Lopping
- Uprooting
- Wilful damage/destruction
Owners of the trees must maintain their trees, and an LPA will often encourage good tree management. However, they are unable to require maintenance work just because a tree falls under a TPO.
If you wish to complete work on a tree under a TPO you will be required to submit an application to the local planning authority. For full details on this application type, read guidance about works to trees and the application process.
Planning permission is not required to move an internal doorway, provided it does not impact the external appearance of the building. If the building is listed, you will require listed building consent for any changes to the building.
Building regulations may apply if the wall is load bearing or is part of a fire escape route.
Read more about windows and doors from our common projects.
Balconies, verandas and raised platforms will often require planning permission as they do not fall under permitted development rights.
An exception to this is Juliet balconies which do not have any external access or platform, allowing them to be classed as permitted development.
A raised platform of under 0.3 metres is also allowed without planning permission, this may be an area with slightly raised decking.
When applying for planning permission for a balcony it is important to consider your neighbours privacy and garden. The features and location of the property may have a significant impact. If the building is listed or in a conservation area, then this may have a bearing on any decisions.
