Do You Need Planning Permission for Garden Studios?

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Gary Cullen
Published: January 15, 2025

As the way we live and use our homes changes, a garden studio can provide some much-needed extra space. Whether you plan to use your garden studio as a home office, a gym, music room, or simply a quiet sanctuary away from the rest of the house, there’s no doubt every home can benefit from a garden studio.

In addition to providing extra space, a garden studio is also a strong asset if you decide to sell your home in the future, and is an excellent way to add value to your property. The benefits of a garden studio are endless. However, before you introduce a garden room to your property, you may be wondering whether you need planning permission.

Here, we will explain all you need to know about planning permission for garden studios, when it’s needed and when you don’t need to seek it. Keep reading to find out more about garden studio planning permission and the laws around building garden structures on your property.

Is Planning Permission Needed for Garden Studios?

Do you need planning permission for a garden studio? This is a question that many people ask before investing in a room for their garden. The good news is, in most cases, planning permission is not required when adding a garden studio to your property. This is because a garden studio is usually classed as an outbuilding and can often be constructed in your garden without the need to seek planning permission before it is installed. 

As long as the garden studio is classed as a permitted development, planning permission is generally not needed. However, there are a few exceptions to this. These are some of the factors that will determine whether planning permission is required:

  • The size of your garden studio
  • Where you intend to position the garden studio
  • The size of other outbuildings already in place on your property
  • How you plan to use the garden studio
  • The area where your property is located

Permitted Development Rights

Permitted development rights mean that an outbuilding can, in most cases, be constructed without the need for planning permission. 

For homeowners in the UK, permitted development rights enable people to construct a garden building on their property without planning permission, so long as they comply with the following rules:

  • Your garden room won’t be constructed in front of your home
  • The garden studio must be single-storey. The garden studio must also be less than 3 metres tall, with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres. If the garden room has a dual-pitched roof, this must not be taller than 4 metres
  • If your garden studio will be positioned 2 metres or less from your property boundary its height cannot exceed 2.5 metres
  • The total area of all outbuildings (including garden studios and sheds) and extensions within your property must not exceed 50% of the total land around your house
  • The garden studio won’t be used as self-contained living accommodation
  • If your property is located in a National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a World Heritage Site, or the Broads, the total size of all outbuildings, pools, and enclosures is restricted to 10 square metres if these structures are going to be located more than 20 metres from your house

Exceptions to Permitted Development Rights

For the majority of homeowners, introducing a garden studio to their property will not require planning permission and will meet the conditions of permitted development rights. However, for some homeowners planning permission will be required before they can start enjoying all the benefits of a garden room at their property. 

You will normally need to submit a planning application for your garden studio if any of the following apply to your property:

  • You live in a Listed building
  • You intend to position your garden studio at the side of your property, and you live on designated land. Designated land includes National Parks, AONB, the Broads, and World Heritage Sites.
  • You live in a converted house or a home that was created using permitted development rights for ‘change of use.’
  • Your home is located in an area where permitted development rights are restricted. This could be due to an Article 4 Direction introduced by the local authority. Local authorities can introduce an Article 4 Direction to revoke permitted development rights for specific areas, or in rare cases, the entire local authority area. Local authorities often introduce Article 4 in Conservation Areas, or other locations where it believes the character or function of the area should be preserved.

Garden Studio Use and Planning Permission

How you plan to use your garden studio will also play a role in whether planning permission is required. Most people use garden studios as recreational rooms, for example, a quiet hobby room, home gym, or games room. As an increased number of people are now working from home, using a garden studio as an office is also an excellent choice. Simply using the garden studio as a place to work at your computer throughout the day is usually absolutely fine. However, if you plan to have customers and colleagues regularly meeting you in your garden studio, you may require planning permission.

Planning permission will also be required if you plan to use your garden studio as self-contained accommodation.

For definitive confirmation of whether planning permission is needed for your garden studio, it is best to visit the planning guidelines for your local authority.

Here at Sanctum, we have a wide range of garden studios, which don’t require planning permission. They are all under 2.5m in height and we can advise on the best studio for your space. Contact us today for a design consultation to find out more.

Key Takeaways
  • Planning permission is not required for most garden studios
  • Garden studio must be single-storey and less than 3 metres tall
  • Garden studio should not be constructed at the front of your home
  • Garden studio must inc. other outbuildings must not exceed 50% of total land around your property
  • Garden studio must not be used as self-contained accommodation