This is one of the most frequently asked questions from homeowners who are considering adding a Garden Room to their property and the short answer is that planning permission is not required to install a garden room. Garden rooms whether they be for office space, an entertainment room, gym, summer house or otherwise do not require planning permission, as long as they fall within the permitted development guidelines. Any reputable and specialised garden room installation company will be well versed in the requirements and limitations surrounding this type of project and will be able to work within these parameters.

There are certain circumstances, however, where an application would need to be made. These include:

  • Your room is to be erected within the grounds of a conservation area, an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), or a world heritage site.
  • You are using the garden building as sleeping accommodation.
  • The garden room exceeds 30 square metres.
  • Your garden building stands taller than 4 metres once erected.
  • Your garden room will cover more than 50% or more of your grounds.
  • It has balconies or raised platforms.
  • Your garden structure has a maximum overall height over 2.5m and is positioned within two meters of your boundary.
  • The garden room stands forward of the principal elevation of your house.
  • Flats, maisonettes and listed buildings have no permitted development rights, so will always need planning permission.

If you are unsure whether your property has permitted development rights, then check with your local council.

Here let’s go into detail how to ensure your garden room will not require planning permission.

Size of Garden Room

For a Garden Room to be classed as an ‘outbuilding’ it must adhere to a number of developmental rules. The build must be a single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and a maximum height of 4 metres including a roof. There cannot be a balcony or veranda attached, be on a raised platform that exceeds 300 mm, have a microwave antenna or be its own living area separate of your house.

Position of Outdoor Garden Building

Along with the dimensions, the positioning of your garden room is of equal importance. The build must not be within 2 metres from any boundary if it is taller than 2.5 metres or 1 metre from any boundary if it is less than 2.5 metres. The garden building can also not be placed forward of the front wall of the property and cannot take up more than 50% of the land surrounding the house. A garden room must be separate of any other outdoor buildings such as a shed and cannot take up more than 50% of the outdoor land when combined with any other outdoor builds.

Intended Use of Garden Room

Another key consideration will be what you intend to use the garden building for as there are regulations which affect this. If you plan on using the garden studio as a workspace, planning permission isn’t often required but there are still some rules to be mindful of.

Both your home and garden will need to remain a primarily private residence with there being no significant increase in people visiting your property. There cannot be deliveries which would disturb those in surrounding properties as well as no excessive noise during unsociable hours.

If, however, you are endeavouring to create a space in which people can live in you will need to seek out planning permission. Sleeping accommodations are not covered under permitted development of a garden room and will be treated as its own property, subject to council tax and other regulations.

The majority of garden rooms do not require planning permission and are an extremely easy and stress-free process from start to finish. You can check the Planning Portal for more details.

However, if you suspect that your desired garden room may require planning permission, you needn’t worry. Obtaining planning permission is not as difficult as you may have been led to believe and our team at Garden Room Sanctuary will always be available to help and advise you with any questions or concerns.