Permitted Development

Permitted development (PD) rights allow homeowners in England and Wales to carry out certain building works without needing to apply for planning permission. These rights are granted automatically by the government and cover a range of common home improvements — subject to specific conditions and limits.

What you can typically do under permitted development

• Single-storey rear extensions — up to 4 metres deep for detached houses (or 3 metres for other house types) under standard PD, or up to 8 metres (6 metres) under the larger home extension scheme with prior approval
• Loft conversions — adding up to 40 cubic metres of space (50 cubic metres for detached houses)
• Porches — up to 3 square metres floor area and 3 metres in height
• Outbuildings — sheds, greenhouses, garden offices (with size and height limits)
• Internal alterations — most internal work doesn’t need planning permission (but may still need building regulations approval)
• Solar panels — on the roof (with conditions)
• New windows and doors — in most cases

When permitted development does NOT apply

Your PD rights may be restricted or removed if:

• Your property is a listed building
• You live in a conservation area, National Park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• A previous planning permission included a condition removing PD rights (called an Article 4 direction)
• Your property is a flat or maisonette — PD rights generally apply only to houses
• You’ve already used your PD allowance with a previous extension

Permitted development vs. building regulations

These are completely separate systems:

• Permitted development means you don’t need planning permission
• Building regulations ensure the work meets safety and structural standards

You can have permitted development rights for a project that still requires a building regulations application. For example, a loft conversion may be permitted development, but it must still comply with building regulations for fire safety, insulation, and structural strength.

How to check

• Apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) from your local council — this confirms your work falls within permitted development and is useful proof when you come to sell
• Check the government’s Planning Portal for detailed rules
• Consult your local planning authority if you’re unsure

Tips for homeowners

• Never assume — PD rules are complex and have many conditions. What applies to your neighbour’s house may not apply to yours
• Get a Lawful Development Certificate — it costs a modest fee but gives you legal certainty
• Check before starting work — building without the right permissions can lead to enforcement action and problems when selling
• Building regulations still apply — even if you don’t need planning permission, you almost certainly need building control sign-off for structural, electrical, or plumbing work