A garden shed can be a simple and practical addition to a property, providing useful space for storage, gardening equipment, tools, hobbies or other household activities. However, before installing a new shed, it is important to establish whether shed planning permission is required.
Many sheds can be built without making a planning application where they meet the relevant permitted development requirements. However, this is not automatically the case for every property or every type of shed.
The size, height, position, intended use, and existing development at the property can all affect the planning position. Restrictions may also apply to certain properties or locations.
Understanding these considerations before buying or constructing a shed can help you avoid planning complications later.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Shed?
In many cases, a garden shed can be built without a planning application if it falls within permitted development rights and meets all the relevant conditions.
This means that a typical small shed used for storage may not require planning permission.
However, there are several requirements that need to be considered. A shed cannot simply be assumed to be permitted because it is small or because similar sheds have been installed elsewhere.
The planning position can depend on:
If one or more relevant requirements are not satisfied, shed planning permission may be necessary.
What Counts as a Shed?
A shed is generally a detached structure located within the grounds of a residential property.
Traditional garden sheds are commonly used for:
The appearance of a building is not necessarily the only factor that determines its planning status.
For example, a structure may look like a garden shed but be designed and used as an office, studio or accommodation. Its actual use can therefore be important when assessing the planning position.
A simple storage shed is likely to raise different considerations from a large insulated garden building containing facilities for regular occupation.
When Can a Shed Be Built Without Planning Permission?
A shed may be able to benefit from permitted development rights where it satisfies the relevant requirements.
These requirements generally cover matters such as the building’s location, height, size and use.
The shed should normally be used for a purpose that is incidental to the enjoyment of the main dwelling.
This can include storage, gardening, recreation, hobbies and similar domestic uses.
The structure must also comply with the relevant restrictions. If it exceeds the applicable limits or is located in a way that falls outside the permitted development rules, planning permission may be required.
This is why checking the complete proposal is important before construction.
How Tall Can a Shed Be?
The height of a shed is an important planning consideration.
Where permitted development rights are being relied upon, the maximum height can depend on the type of roof and the shed’s distance from the boundary.
For example, a building with a dual-pitched roof can generally have an overall height of up to 4 metres, while a building with another type of roof can generally reach up to 3 metres.
The maximum eaves height is generally 2.5 metres.
Where a shed is within 2 metres of the boundary, the maximum overall height is generally 2.5 metres.
These measurements can make a significant difference when choosing a shed.
A homeowner may find that a particular shed design is too tall for its proposed location, even though a smaller or differently designed structure could potentially fall within the permitted development limits.
It is therefore worth checking the dimensions carefully before purchasing a shed.
Can I Put a Shed Next to the Boundary?
A shed can potentially be positioned close to a boundary, but additional height restrictions can apply.
Where the structure is within 2 metres of the boundary, the overall height is generally limited to 2.5 metres when relying on the relevant permitted development rights.
This means that the location of the shed and its height should be considered together.
For example, moving a shed closer to the boundary may reduce the maximum height available for the structure.
The boundary itself should also be established accurately rather than relying on assumptions based on fences or hedges.
Can a Shed Go Anywhere in the Garden?
No. The position of a shed can be relevant to whether it benefits from permitted development rights.
An outbuilding cannot generally be positioned on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation of the original house where permitted development rights are being relied upon.
This means that the fact a homeowner has enough physical space for a shed does not necessarily mean that the shed can be placed anywhere on the property.
The relationship between the house, garden, boundaries and proposed structure should be considered before deciding on its location.
Does the Size of the Shed Matter?
Yes. The size and overall scale of a shed can affect the planning position.
However, there is not simply one measurement that determines whether a shed requires planning permission.
The overall proposal needs to be considered alongside the other relevant requirements.
The amount of land already covered by buildings can also be important.
Where permitted development rights apply, generally no more than half of the land around the original house can be covered by additions or other buildings.
This means that existing extensions, garages and other garden buildings may need to be taken into account when assessing a new shed.
A large garden may therefore not necessarily mean that there is unlimited space available for additional buildings under permitted development.
Can I Have More Than One Shed?
Having more than one shed does not automatically mean that planning permission is required.
However, the overall development at the property needs to be considered.
If several sheds or other outbuildings already exist, their combined impact on the available garden area may be relevant.
The position, size and use of each structure can also need to be considered.
For example, replacing a small existing shed with a substantially larger building may change the planning position even if the property has always had a shed.
If you are planning several garden structures, it is therefore sensible to assess them together rather than considering each building completely separately.
Can a Shed Be Used as a Garden Office?
A shed used for storage is relatively straightforward, but using a shed as a workspace can raise additional questions.
A garden office can potentially fall within permitted development rights if it meets the relevant requirements and is used for a purpose incidental to the main dwelling.
However, the design and intended use remain important.
A small structure containing a desk and office equipment may be used as a home office without creating separate accommodation.
By contrast, a large building designed to operate independently from the main house may raise different planning considerations.
The fact that the structure is described as a “shed” does not necessarily determine its planning status.
Can I Use a Shed as a Bedroom?
Using a shed as a bedroom can create additional planning considerations.
Permitted development rights for outbuildings are generally intended to cover buildings used for purposes incidental to the main dwelling rather than independent residential accommodation.
A structure containing sleeping accommodation may therefore require closer consideration, particularly if it also contains facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
If the proposed building is capable of functioning as a separate living space, planning permission may be required.
Anyone considering converting a shed into accommodation should therefore establish the planning position before carrying out the work.
Can I Put a Bathroom in a Shed?
Adding facilities such as a bathroom can change how a proposed garden building is viewed from a planning perspective.
A bathroom does not necessarily mean that planning permission is automatically required, but the complete use and design of the structure should be considered.
For example, a garden building used as a hobby room may raise different planning considerations from a self-contained unit with a bathroom, kitchen and sleeping area.
The more independent the structure becomes from the main dwelling, the more important it is to establish the planning position before work begins.
What About a Shed Used as a Workshop?
A workshop can potentially be an acceptable use for a garden building where it remains incidental to the main dwelling.
A homeowner may use a shed for hobbies, woodworking, model making, crafts or other domestic activities.
However, the scale and nature of the use can matter.
A workshop used occasionally for personal hobbies may be treated differently from a building being used for a commercial business involving regular customers, deliveries, employees or significant equipment.
If you intend to operate a business from a garden shed, the planning position should be assessed based on the proposed use rather than simply treating the structure as ordinary domestic storage.
Does a Shed Need Planning Permission If It Is Large?
A larger shed is more likely to require careful assessment because increasing its size can affect several planning considerations.
The building may exceed permitted height limits, cover too much of the available garden area or be designed for a use that falls outside the scope of permitted development.
A large garden room, workshop or storage building should therefore not be treated in the same way as a small traditional garden shed without checking the details.
The exact dimensions should be established before purchasing or constructing the building.
Do Listed Properties Have Different Rules?
Additional planning considerations can apply where a property is listed.
An outbuilding within the grounds of a listed property may not be able to rely on the same permitted development position as an ordinary house.
The location, design and relationship between the shed and the listed building can all be relevant.
If your property is listed, it is particularly important to establish the planning position before installing a new shed.
What About Sheds at Flats and Maisonettes?
The permitted development rights that apply to houses do not generally apply to flats and maisonettes in the same way.
If you live in a flat or maisonette with access to a garden or communal outdoor space, you should not automatically assume that you can install a shed under the same rules that apply to a house.
Ownership of the land can also be relevant.
For example, a garden may be shared, leased or subject to restrictions affecting what can be built there.
The planning position and any separate property restrictions should therefore be checked before installing a shed.
What Happens If You Build a Shed Without Permission?
If a shed has been built without the necessary planning permission, the situation does not necessarily mean that the structure must immediately be removed.
The first step is to establish whether planning permission was actually required.
The relevant factors may include:
If planning permission was required and was not obtained, a retrospective planning application may potentially be considered.
However, dealing with a planning issue after construction can be more complicated than establishing the position beforehand.
This is why checking the planning requirements before purchasing or installing a shed is advisable.
Can I Get a Lawful Development Certificate for a Shed?
Where a shed is considered lawful under the relevant planning rules, a Lawful Development Certificate may provide formal confirmation of its planning status.
This can be particularly useful where a homeowner wants documentary evidence that an existing or proposed structure is lawful.
For an existing shed, the circumstances and evidence available may be important when determining whether a certificate is appropriate.
For a proposed shed, a certificate can provide greater certainty before construction takes place where the proposal meets the relevant requirements.
Whether this route is suitable depends on the circumstances of the individual property and proposal.
Does Building Regulations Approval Apply to a Shed?
Planning permission and building regulations are separate considerations.
A shed may not require planning permission but could still raise building control considerations depending on its size, construction and intended use.
A basic storage shed may have different requirements from a substantial garden building designed for regular occupation.
If the shed is being insulated, fitted with electrical installations or converted into an office, studio or accommodation, additional requirements may need to be considered.
It is therefore sensible to consider both planning and building regulations before beginning a substantial garden building project.
What Should You Check Before Buying a Shed?
Before ordering a shed, it is worth checking the proposed structure against the relevant planning requirements.
Measure the Height
Check both the overall height and the eaves height.
The roof design can affect the maximum permitted height.
Measure the Distance From the Boundary
Establish how close the shed will be to the relevant boundary.
If it is within 2 metres, additional height restrictions can apply.
Consider Existing Buildings
Look at extensions, garages, existing sheds and other structures around the original house.
These may be relevant when considering how much of the garden is already covered.
Consider the Intended Use
Decide whether the shed will be used for storage, gardening, hobbies, an office, a workshop or another purpose.
The use can affect the planning position.
Check the Property Type
Make sure you understand whether the property is a house, flat or maisonette, as the applicable permitted development rights can differ.
Review the Planning History
Previous development at the property can affect the current planning position.
It is therefore useful to understand what has already been built and what permissions or restrictions may apply.
Why Is It Important to Check Shed Planning Permission?
A shed may appear to be a minor development, but planning problems can still arise when the relevant requirements are not met.
Installing a structure that requires planning permission without obtaining it can potentially lead to enforcement action or the need to regularise the development retrospectively.
There may also be practical problems when selling the property if questions arise about whether the shed was lawfully constructed.
Checking the planning position before installation can therefore provide greater certainty and allow the shed to be designed around the applicable requirements.
How Can a Planning Consultant Help?
A planning consultant can review the proposed shed and assess the relevant planning considerations.
This can be useful where the shed is unusually large, close to a boundary, intended for a particular use or being proposed at a property with planning restrictions.
A planning consultant can consider:
At Expert Planning Consultants, we provide professional planning advice for homeowners and property owners considering garden buildings and other residential development projects.
For further information about understanding planning requirements for property projects, you can also read our related article, Planning Permission Consultant: What You Need to Know.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shed Planning Permission
Do I need planning permission for a small garden shed?
A small garden shed may not require planning permission if it satisfies the relevant permitted development requirements. However, the size, height, position, use and property circumstances should all be considered.
How close can a shed be to my boundary?
A shed can potentially be positioned close to a boundary, but where it is within 2 metres of the boundary, the maximum overall height is generally limited to 2.5 metres when relying on permitted development rights.
Can I put a shed in my front garden?
The permitted development rules for outbuildings include restrictions concerning land forward of the principal elevation of the original house. A shed in a front garden may therefore require planning permission depending on its location and the circumstances of the property.
Can I use my shed as a home office?
A shed can potentially be used as a home office where it meets the relevant requirements and the use remains incidental to the main dwelling.
Can I sleep in my garden shed?
Using a shed for sleeping accommodation can raise additional planning considerations. If the structure is intended to function as independent accommodation, planning permission may be required.
Can I put electricity in my shed?
Electrical installations are a separate consideration from planning permission. Depending on the installation and how the building is constructed and used, building control requirements may also need to be considered.
Can I build two sheds in my garden?
Having two sheds does not automatically mean that planning permission is required. However, the combined development and the amount of garden covered by buildings may need to be considered.
What if my shed is already built?
If you are unsure whether an existing shed was lawfully constructed, the planning position can be reviewed based on its size, location, use, the property and its planning history. Depending on the circumstances, a Lawful Development Certificate or retrospective planning application may be appropriate.
Does a shed need planning permission if it is used for business?
A shed used for a small amount of home-based work may potentially remain incidental to the main dwelling. However, a commercial use involving customers, employees, deliveries or other significant activity may require a separate planning assessment.
Understanding Shed Planning Permission
A garden shed may seem like a straightforward addition, but shed planning permission can depend on more than its size. The height, position, boundary distance, garden coverage, intended use and characteristics of the property can all affect whether permitted development rights can be relied upon.
A simple storage shed may be able to proceed without a planning application, while a larger structure used as an office, workshop or accommodation may require more detailed consideration.
Before purchasing or installing a shed, it is sensible to check the proposed dimensions and location against the relevant planning requirements. This can help you identify potential issues before construction begins and avoid having to deal with planning problems later.
Contact us today if you would like to discuss your shed proposal and understand the planning position before moving forward. We can assess your proposed shed and provide professional planning advice based on your property and intended use.