Do you need planning permission for a garden office?

Thursday 15th August, 2024

Wondering whether you need planning permission for a garden office? It is firstly important to understand what a permitted development is and what exemptions apply. The rise in garden offices has grown from an increase in working from home and those looking for a better work-life balance. 

Before you start building your garden office, it’s important to understand the details around planning permission. We will explore the factors that determine the need for planning permission and discuss whether planning permission is required for building a garden office in the UK.

Explore our garden offices

Before we get into the planning permission required to build a garden office, let’s explore our garden offices. At Vale Stables, we offer a range of timber buildings with bespoke designs to cater for your every need.  

Our timber offices are the perfect way to separate work from home. Our purpose-built, timber buildings blend into your garden. So instead of being cramped in a cluttered spare bedroom, why not enjoy the tranquillity of your garden as your workspace? It’s the perfect solution for working from home.  

Why choose Vale Stables for your garden office?

Here at Vale Stables, our friendly team of experts provides exceptional service and uses only the best raw materials to ensure all our customers receive the highest quality product with great value for money. 

We manufacture all of our timber buildings on site and keep a large stock to ensure our delivery times are kept to a minimum. We also offer a full installation service for all our timber buildings for customers across the UK.

Planning permission for garden offices

Planning permission refers to the permission granted by a local authority to either build something new, make a change to a building, or change the use of a building. It is important to ensure you seek permission before building your garden office to avoid receiving an enforcement notice to undo any work that is done.

It is fairly simple to apply for planning permission, simply contact your LPA through your local authority. In many cases, a garden office can be constructed under ‘Permitted Development’ rights. These regulations outline the specific size and positioning criteria for various types of structures that can be built without the need for full planning permission.

When planning permission for garden offices is not required

Planning permission is not required for garden offices that fall under permitted development. Under Permitted Development Rights in the UK, a garden office can be built without the need for full planning permission, provided it meets specific criteria. 

Location and Placement

• The garden office must be located within the area of land surrounding your house.
• It cannot be in front of your house.
• The structure must be a reasonable distance from boundaries, typically at least 2 metres from the property boundary if the height exceeds a certain level.

Size and Height Restrictions

• If within 2 metres of a boundary, the maximum height is 2.5 metres.
• If more than 2 metres from the boundary, the maximum height is 4 metres for a dual-pitched roof or 3 metres for any other type of roof.
• The garden office must be single-story only.
• The total area covered by buildings and extensions must not exceed 50% of the total land around the original house.

Use Restrictions

• The garden office should be used for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling. This generally means it can’t be used as a separate living accommodation or a business premise where clients visit regularly.
• No sleeping accommodation is permitted.

Designated Land Restrictions

• On designated land (such as national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, conservation areas, or World Heritage Sites), the garden office cannot be more than 10 square metres away. If it is more than 20 metres from the house. Additionally, it cannot be ahead of the principal elevation.

Listed Buildings

• If the property is a listed building, you will likely need planning permission. This is regardless of whether the garden office meets the above criteria.

Other Considerations

• If the property has already been extended or other buildings have been erected within the garden, these may count towards the 50% land coverage limit.
• If the garden office will have electrical connections or plumbing, additional regulations might apply, especially for drainage and safety.

Meeting all these criteria usually means you can proceed under Permitted Development without needing full planning permission. However, it’s always advisable to check with your local planning authority. This is to ensure compliance with all local regulations and any recent updates to the rules.

When planning permission for garden offices is required

Typically, planning permission for garden offices will be required where the above criteria are not met. For example, areas where permitted development may be restricted are conservation areas, listed buildings, or buildings that do not meet the correct size and height requirements. 

As we have discussed, for the most part, planning permission for a garden office is not usually required. As it falls under permitted development in most cases. If you are unsure, it is recommended that you consult with local authorities to ensure compliance. Our friendly team can also provide technical information to help inform your decision. If you are looking for a bespoke garden office, get in touch with us today. We will provide you with a quote and answer any of your questions.

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