Garages can be built in your garden or on the land around your house without the need to apply for planning permission.

However, permission will be required in certain circumstances. If you live in a listed building, you should check with your local planning authority.

If your intention is to convert a garage into a separate house (regardless of who will occupy it), then planning permission may be required no matter what work is involved. We advise that you discuss such proposals with your local planning authority to ensure that any work you do is lawful and correctly permissioned.

Construction of a garage attached to an existing home will normally require building regulations approval.

The construction of an attached carport (open on at least two sides) would not normally require approval if it has a floor area of no more than 30 square metres (except in respect of electrical installations).

The construction of a detached garage would not normally require approval (except in respect of electrical installations), if:

- the floor area is no more than 15 square metres; or

- the floor area is between 15 and 30 square metres and the garage is at least one metre from any boundary or is constructed from substantially non-combustible materials.

Converting any garage into habitable use will normally require building regulations approval.