Do I Need Planning Permission for a Shed or Garden Office? A Guide to Building Sustainable Outbuildings

At some point, many of us outgrow our homes — not in spirit, but in space. A quiet garden office, a sturdy shed, a timber studio for work, play or simply to sit still. These aren’t just buildings — they’re small revolutions in how we choose to live, lightly and purposefully.

The Bunker – a semi-subterranean garden studio in Kensal Rise, designed with super-insulated floor, walls and ceiling. Its robust, industrial feel responds to the nearby railway, showing how purposeful design and high performance can coexist in compact spaces

At RISE Design Studio, we believe that every outbuilding is a chance to expand with care — designing structures that serve you now and respect the planet for the future.

When You Don’t Need Planning Permission

One question we hear often: Do I need planning permission for a shed or garden office?

In the UK, many small outbuildings are possible under what’s called permitted development rights — specifically, Class E. So yes, your dream studio or garden shed may not need a full planning application, as long as it follows some simple rules.

☉ Key points to keep in mind:

• Use no more than 50% of your total garden area for all buildings combined.

• Stay under 2.5m high if the outbuilding is within 2m of a boundary.

• Build further than 2m from the boundary and you can go up to 4m with a pitched roof.

• No sleeping spaces — once someone sleeps there, you’ll need Building Regulations and likely planning permission.

Small in size, big in purpose — that’s the sweet spot for an outbuilding that works with your life and your land.

☉ Other rules to keep in mind:

• If your outbuilding has running water, sleeping space, or is over 30m², you’ll likely need Building Regulations approval.

• Placing a shed or studio closer to a public road than your main house can also trigger permission rules.

• Always double-check if your home is listed or sits on protected land like a National Park or conservation area — extra rules apply to safeguard these places for future generations.

Build Light, Live Well

A garden office, a cycle shed, a playhouse — each is a chance to design for less waste and more value. Sustainable outbuildings start with simple principles:

• Choose natural, low-carbon materials.

• Design for daylight, shade and durability.

• Think about future energy use — could your studio roof hold solar panels? Could you collect rainwater for the garden?

Every detail is a chance to create a structure that respects its surroundings and supports low-impact living — one of the cornerstones of RISE Design Studio’s ethos.

Boundaries, Heritage, and Special Areas

Boundaries matter. If your plot sits in a conservation area, National Park or World Heritage Site, there are tighter limits:

• Anything at the side of your house may need planning permission.

• Structures more than 20m from your main house are limited to 10 sq m.

• For listed buildings, any outbuilding will need permission.

If your home is an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation), most rules still apply — but always confirm first. A well-placed outbuilding shouldn’t clash with local policies or your neighbours.

Keep It Inside the Curtilage

Your shed or studio must sit within your property’s curtilage — the land legally part of your house. A paddock or separate plot across a road? That’s garden land, not curtilage, and putting an outbuilding there could trigger a change-of-use application.

It pays to double-check where your curtilage ends and your garden begins.

Front Gardens: Think Twice

By law, no outbuilding can sit in front of your home’s main elevation. A bike store by your front gate? Technically an outbuilding — so it needs permission. What’s behind or to the side may be simpler — but know exactly where ‘front’ begins and ends for your plot.

FAQs

Do I need planning permission for a garden office?
Often no — if it stays under size and height rules, sits within your curtilage, and doesn’t include sleeping accommodation.

How high can my garden shed be without permission?
Up to 2.5m if it’s within 2m of a boundary. Up to 4m with a pitched roof if it’s further away than 2m from boundary.

Can I build an outbuilding in a conservation area?
Yes, but watch the rules — you can’t build to the side of the house without permission, and structures in front always need consent.

Better Buildings, Better Living

At RISE, we believe the smallest structures can unlock the greatest change. A shed or garden office is more than extra space — it’s a commitment to live with intention, design with care, and use less to do more.

Planning a sustainable outbuilding? Talk to us.
→ architects@risedesignstudio.co.uk
→ 020 3947 5886

☉ RISE Design Studio Architects
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© RISE Design Studio