Many people come to us with the question ‘do you need planning permission for a summer house’? Adding a summer house to your home is a wonderful way to make space to enjoy your hobbies, create a dedicated work area or set up a tranquil haven for rest and recovery. 

While you may envision exactly how you’ll be using the summer house, whether you need permission or not may be a fuzzier topic. Once you’ve finished reading this blog, you should have a clearer idea of when you don’t need planning permission and when you do.

Do I need planning permission for a summer house? What size summer house can I have without planning permission? Do you need planning permission for a summer house with a toilet? Can you live in a summer house in your garden? How do I know if I need planning permission for a summer house? Summer house regulations in the UK: Are there differences between England, Scotland and Wales? Frequently asked questions

Do I need planning permission for a summer house?

Most smaller summer houses and garden rooms don’t require planning permission. Permission is needed for any summerhouse that covers over half of the garden space, is not used as a part of the main dwelling or is over 3 metres tall if it has a pent roof or 4 metres with an apex roof. That’s the basics, but there’s more to know, so let’s look at the requirements in more detail.

What size summer house can I have without planning permission?

Smaller summer houses fall under your permitted development rights. This means you don’t need planning permission to put up structures like small garden rooms, summer houses or sheds on your own land.

• The inside area of the summer house should not exceed 30 m².
• Summer houses located within 2 meters of the property boundary must not be higher than 2.5 metres. This includes the total height of the building along with the roof.
• Summer houses located more than 2 metres from the boundary need to have a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres. Pent roofs and straight roofs can have a total height of 3 metres and apex rooms can have a total height of 4 metres.
• Any platforms or verandas should not exceed a height of 30cm.
• The summer house should not have a balcony.

There are also other requirements that the summer house needs to meet-

• The summer house can’t take up more than 50% of the land around the house (combined with other garden structures).
• The summer house can’t be installed in front of the main house.
• The summer house can’t be used as a self-contained accommodation.
• There are different rules in place for listed buildings and designated areas (National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas and World Heritage sites).

It’s also important to know that rules vary by council. To get the accurate information pertaining to your property, contact your local council. Another great resource is the UK Planning Portal, which is the home for all UK planning and building control. You can also find the contacts of your local council on their page.

Do you need planning permission for a summer house with a toilet?

You may need planning permission for a summer house with a toilet. This depends on whether it looks to your local council that the building may be used to live in or to stay in overnight. Before starting any work, the best thing is to check with your local planning authority and confirm whether your building needs planning permission or not.

Can you live in a summer house in your garden?

Yes, it’s possible to live in a summer house in your garden. You will need to acquire the relevant permits and ensure that the summer house is built in accordance with the necessary building regulations. The legalities of living in a garden room or summer house can differ by council, so make sure to confirm the laws and rules that apply to your situation.

How do I know if I need planning permission for a summer house?

There’s only one way to be certain and that is, of course, to check with your council. If you’re concerned about jargon, you can set that worry aside. Most council websites have become much more friendly and explain things in an easily understandable way.

Summer house regulations in the UK: Are there differences between England, Scotland and Wales?

Yes, regulations vary by region and county. This is one more reminder to always check with your local council about the specific rules in your area. One of the most notable differences with Scotland is the 1-metre boundary rule instead of a 2-metre rule.

Building within 1 metre of boundary in Scotland

Scotland has slightly different rules to the distance of the building from a boundary. Instead of 2 metres you are allowed to build a summer house 1 metre from the boundary. The same rule also applies for Wales.

As in the rest of UK, there are special rules for building in a designated area or if you live in a listed building. If you live in Scotland you can find out whether you live in a listed building the Historic Environment Scotland website. They also have a map of conservation areas, which you can download on this page.

If you live in Wales you can find all listed buildings on the dedicated Welsh Government page and the conservation areas here.

Other than that the rules are relatively similar. As long as you follow the basic requirements about size and location by keeping your summer house under 2.5 metres in height and located at the back of your house, you shouldn’t need a planning permission.

Aesthetical considerations

When you’re planning your summer house or garden room, also consider the style and look. Besides the size of the building, the style, location and relation to all other parts of the garden, including your main house, will need to be considered. This is why Summerhouse24 has a a wide variety of summer houses available from contemporary designs to more traditional looks, to fit every home and garden.

Frequently asked questions

Can I build a summer house next to my neighbour’s fence?

If the summerhouse is less than 2.5m tall and doesn’t break any other rules, you can build your summerhouse close to your neighbours fence. It’s a good idea to leave some space between the fence and building, so you can access it for any necessary repairs and treating the wood.

As a courtesy, it is also kind to let your neighbour know of your plans to put up a summerhouse near the shared fence. This will make them feel more comfortable with the idea and they won’t be caught off guard. It can also be an opportunity to invite your neighbours over for tea for a small celebration once the summer house is installed. If you also have a patio or veranda, why not suggest an al fresco dinner?

Can neighbours complain about summer houses?

Yes, neighbours can object to your summerhouse, but only when you need planning permission. They also need substantial reasons for their complaint, for example when the building is obstructing their view or impacting their right to light. 

Do I need permission from the council for a summer house?

If your summer house meets the conditions we’ve outlined previously, you don’t need permission to put up your summer house.

Conclusion

It’s fairly simple to put up a summer house without getting planning permission as long as you meet the necessary requirements. And, if you do need to get permission to make your dream summer house into a reality, it can in most cases be easily achieved by following the guidelines your local council has set out. When undertaking a more ambitious project, you can also seek out paid assistance.

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Sources used:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance

https://www.mygov.scot/build-shed-garage-greenhouse

https://www.gov.wales/building-regulations-outbuildings