Shed rules: planning and building regulations
Two sets of rules apply to garden buildings. Planning decides whether you can put it there. Building regulations decide how it's built. Most sheds clear both easily.
Updated 2026-10-06
Planning: the quick checks (England)
- Not in front of the house.
- Single storey, eaves no higher than 2.5 m.
- No higher than 4 m with an apex roof or 3 m with any other roof, and no higher than 2.5 m if it's within 2 m of the boundary.
- Covers no more than half the garden, counting other outbuildings and extensions.
- Not lived or slept in.
Pass all of these and a shed is usually permitted development. Conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes and listed buildings have tighter rules. Wales is similar to England. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, so check with your council.
Building regulations (England and Wales)
| Floor area | Usually needs approval? |
|---|---|
| Under 15 m² | No, if nobody sleeps in it |
| 15 – 30 m² | No, if nobody sleeps in it and it's at least 1 m from the boundary or built mainly of non-combustible materials |
| Over 30 m² | Yes |
Electrical work in any garden building must meet Part P and should be done by a registered electrician.
Farm and commercial buildings
Agricultural buildings and commercial steel buildings follow different rules. Our sister site explains planning for agricultural buildings.
General information only, not planning or legal advice. Ask your council if you're unsure, or apply for a Lawful Development Certificate for written confirmation.
Questions
Do I need to tell the council about a new shed?
Not if it's within permitted development and exempt from building regulations. You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate if you want proof for when you sell the house.
Can my neighbour object to my shed?
If it's permitted development there's no application to object to. If it breaks the limits, the council can take enforcement action, so stay within them or apply.