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How high can I build a single-storey extension without planning permission?
A single storey rear extension can fall under permitted development, meaning planning permission may not be required providing it meets certain criteria.
In terms of height, the extension must:
- Be no taller than four metres at its highest point
- Have eaves no higher than the eaves of the original house
- Not exceed the height of the original dwelling
Read about planning permission for extensions on Planning Portal
Common Questions
In many cases, you can build a porch without planning permission under permitted development rights, provided certain criteria are met. To qualify as permitted development, your proposed porch must:
- Not exceed three square metres in external ground area
- Be no taller than three metres in height
- Be located at least two metres away from any boundary with a highway
Read more about porches on Planning Portal
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.
To qualify as permitted development some household building work projects – notably extending a house – must not exceed limits to the volume being added.
In England, the volume allowance mostly applies to loft conversions. You can read more on the Planning Portal.
Use the volume calculator to find out the volume of several loft conversion and extension types.
A soakaway does not normally require an application for planning permission provided it deals with surface water and does not discharge into a public sewer. Additional regulations may apply if you are in a conservation area or within the boundary of a listed building.
Building regulations will apply to the creation of a soakaway. The soakaway must comply with Part H of the building regulations which specifies where they can be located and the size that is permitted.
Read more about Approved Document H.
A wall is a 'party wall' if it stands astride the boundary of land belonging to two (or more) different owners, for example the wall separating two semi-detached properties.
Some kinds of work carried out to a property may not be controlled by the building regulations, but may be work which is covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. This is a separate piece of legislation with different requirements to the building regulations.
To find out more about party walls, visit Planning Portal.
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