Will You Need Planning Permission For Your Garden Room?

Planning permission is required for constructing new buildings in the UK as it can affect your neighbouring properties and the local area. But is a garden room different?

To make sure your new garden room will be approved, before you purchase check to see if planning permission is required. You may also need a written report from an expert surveyor or architect before the work begins.

If any of these apply to you then yes, you will probably need permission from your council.

Some companies will also submit planning applications for you. This is usually the case if you’re buying a large structure or installing one in the garden of your property.

Planning permission  for a garden room, office or building

Garden rooms are allowed by law as long as they meet certain criteria to be considered an outbuilding. You can ask for permission if your garden room doesn't comply with these rules.

You need to have the appropriate rights in order to make any changes to your home. You might not have development rights if: the location of your house is in a designated area.

Please consult your local council to see if you have to go through the planning process.

Garden offices planning requirements

Outbuildings, including garden rooms, are allowed if they're "incidental" to the main dwelling. Essentially this means that as long as their use is a minor accompaniment to the house itself.

Working from home on your own computer is more likely to be incidental and only used occasionally rather than the main location for meetings or appointments

If you carry out building work without permission, for example, this would affect the neighbourhood around your property. You may be asked to get planning permission retrospectively if any change or extension to the main property is later found to have been made. Planning permission is required to use a garden office unless there are a number of stipulations in place. Please check with your local planning department if you’re unsure on what is permitted and what isn’t.

Building regulations for garden rooms

Building Regulations are about how a structure is designed, built and insulated. Having the right certificates is important if you ever want to sell your house.

If you need to build a small building that doesn’t fit the criteria for building regulations, you can apply for what is known as 'non-traditional construction': this is a building which isn't attached to your home and has an area of less than 15 square meters - it doesn't include sleeping accommodation.  

The size of a room is measured in square metres, and the majority of buildings with living accommodations will need to get building regulations approval. If your floor area is between 15 square metres and 30 square metres and there are no sleeping accommodations or it is more than 1 metre away from your boundary, then you might not require building regulations approval.

The size of your garden room will determine whether you are required to follow building regulations. If it's going to be residential, it'll need to comply with those regulations. The electrics in the garden room will also need to comply with building regulations and the local building advisory notices.

For example, if you have a separate consumer unit in your garden room, you may need to get a qualified electrician to connect it to your main supply. The building regulations are a set of guidelines for a variety of construction activities. There are regulations specific to summer houses and garden rooms, so you will be required to include them in your designs.

Garden room with a shower or bath

You may need planning permission for a garden room if you intend to use it for activities that usually take place inside your main house, such as showering. The cold water supply is also another important factor to consider.

This will require a pipe to connect your fresh water to the water mains in your house and another pipe to bring waste water away. You may also be able to use an existing drain.

If it’s not possible, you might need to install a pump that will pump the waste water out of your home. If you want hot water at home, installing a small boiler is an option. This type of heating system can be placed under a sink and provide about 7-10 litres of hot water.

Installing a toilet may require a sewage system that can reduce waste to a pulp and connect to the main sewer.