Do You Need Planning Permission for a Garage in the UK? What You Should Know

Planning to add a garage to your home can improve storage, security, or even boost the value of your property. 

However, before you begin, one of the first things to consider is whether you require planning permission. 

The rules can be confusing, as they depend on the size, height, location, and even the type of property you live in.

We will break down the essentials for you here, including what size garage you can build without planning permission, how close to the boundary you can go, and whether building materials like concrete make any difference.

What Is Permitted Development, and How Does It Affect Garage Builds?

In England, certain building projects are allowed under what’s known as permitted development rights. 

This means you don’t need to apply for full planning permission if your garage falls within these limits.

To qualify, a garage must:

• Be single-storey.

• Have eaves no higher than 2.5 metres.

• Have a maximum height of 4 metres for a pitched roof or 3 metres for other roof types.

• Be located behind the principal elevation of the house (not at the front).

• Not take up more than 50% of the land around the original house.

It’s important to note that if your property is in a conservation area, is listed, or has restrictions placed on it, permitted development may not apply. In those cases, you’ll need formal planning permission.

What Size Garage Can You Build Without Planning Permission?

The size of the garage is one of the main factors that determines whether you’ll need planning permission. In most cases, the following rules apply:

• Height:

  • Up to 4 metres for a pitched roof.

  • Up to 3 metres for other roof types.

  • If the garage is within 2 metres of a boundary, the maximum height must be reduced to 2.5 metres.
    

• Footprint:

  • The garage must not cover more than half the area of land around the original house. This calculation includes any other outbuildings and extensions you already have.
    

• Building regulations:

  • Detached garages under 30 square metres are often exempt from building regulations, but this depends on their distance from boundaries and the materials used.

    
    

How Close to the Boundary Can You Build the Garage?

Boundary rules are one of the areas where people get caught out. While you can build close to your neighbour’s boundary, the rules change depending on distance:

• If the garage is within 2 metres of the boundary, the entire structure must not exceed 2.5 metres in height.

• If it’s more than 2 metres away, the usual height limits of 4 metres for pitched roofs and 3 metres for other roofs apply.
  

These restrictions are in place to prevent overshadowing or impacting neighbouring properties.

Do You Need Permission for a Concrete Garage?

The material you use doesn’t affect planning permission. Whether the garage is made of concrete, timber, or brick, what matters are its size, height, and position.

That said, building regulations are a separate consideration:

• A detached garage under 15 square metres generally won’t need building regulations approval.

• Garages between 15 and 30 square metres don’t normally need approval if they’re at least 1 metre from a boundary or built from non-combustible materials.

• Larger garages, or those attached to the house, are more likely to require building control approval.

So while the use of concrete doesn’t change the planning rules, it may influence whether building regulations apply.

Regional Considerations and Exceptions

While the rules above apply across England and Wales, there are variations in Scotland and Northern Ireland:

• Scotland: If a garage is within 1 metre of a boundary, it must not exceed 2.5 metres in height. Other size and location rules are broadly similar.

• Northern Ireland: The maximum eaves height is 2.5 metres if the garage is within 2 metres of a boundary, with an overall height limit of 4 metres.

Local authorities can also issue Article 4 directions that remove permitted development rights, especially in conservation areas. Always check with your council before starting work.

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Practical Example

Imagine you want to build a detached concrete garage at the back of your property:

• It’s single-storey with a pitched roof, 3 metres at the eaves and 4 metres at the ridge.

• It sits 3 metres away from the boundary.

• The footprint is 20 square metres, well under half the garden area.
  

In this case, planning permission would not be required. The garage meets permitted development rules, and because it’s under 30 square metres and made of non-combustible material, building regulations approval would also not be needed.

But if you built the same garage within 2 metres of the boundary, the maximum height allowed would drop to 2.5 metres. Going over that would require planning permission.

Final Thoughts

For most homeowners, garages can be built without planning permission as long as they meet permitted development limits. The key factors to keep in mind are the height, footprint, and proximity to boundaries. 

While the choice of material doesn’t affect planning rules, it may affect building regulations, so always check before work begins.

If your plans fall outside permitted development, or if you live in a conservation area or a listed property, you’ll need to apply for planning permission. 

Checking with your local council early will save time, money, and potential problems later.

If you’re looking for a trusted builder to take on your garage project - whether you're building a new one or converting an existing garage - we’re here to help.

Take a look at our work here and get in touch for a no-obligation quote.

Disclaimer: This guidance is correct as of August 2025. Planning regulations can change, and local authorities may have their own rules or restrictions. Always confirm the details with your local planning authority before starting any building work.