Planning Permission for Pergolas
& Garden Structures
A clear and simple homeowner’s guide
Planning rules can feel complicated, but most pergolas, outdoor kitchens and garden structures can be installed without needing planning permission, as long as they meet the criteria for Permitted Development.
What Is Planning Permission?
Planning permission is consent from your local authority required for certain types of construction, extensions or changes of use. Anything that counts as “development” under planning law may require formal approval (UK Government, 2023).
However, many domestic garden structures fall under Permitted Development rights, meaning they can be built without submitting a planning application if they meet specific national rules (Planning Portal, 2024).
When Planning Permission Is Not Required
Most pergolas, gazebos, garden rooms and outdoor structures will be covered by Permitted Development if they meet all of the following conditions:
Location
The structure must be positioned behind the principal elevation of the house (Planning Portal, 2024).
Height
• Maximum overall height of 4m for a dual-pitched roof
• 3m for other roof types
• If within 2m of a boundary, the entire structure must not exceed 2.5m in height (Planning Portal, 2024)
Coverage
No more than 50% of the total land around the “original house” may be covered by outbuildings (Planning Portal, 2024).
Designated Land Restrictions
Permitted Development rights are restricted or removed entirely for:
• Listed buildings
• Conservation Areas
• National Parks
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
• World Heritage Sites (Technical Guidance, UK Government, 2019)
Purpose / Use
The structure must be used for incidental domestic purposes, such as:
• Outdoor cooking
• Dining
• Storage
• Relaxation
• Workspace (Gov.uk, 2023)
Structures intended as self-contained living accommodation require planning permission.
When Planning Permission Is Required
You may need planning permission if any of the following apply:
Location in front of the house
Any structure forward of the principal elevation generally requires permission (Planning Portal, 2024).
The property is listed or protected
Listed buildings and homes within protected areas often lose Permitted Development rights (Technical Guidance, UK Government, 2019).
Height exceeds allowed limits
Structures above the specified height limits fall outside Permitted Development.
Restricted features included
The following are not permitted under Class E rights:
• Verandas
• Balconies
• Raised platforms above 300mm (Technical Guidance, UK Government, 2019)
Use as living accommodation
Any building used as a separate dwelling requires full planning consent (Gov.uk, 2023).
Structures attached to the house
If a pergola or outdoor structure is physically attached to the main house, it may be treated as an extension, which falls under different rules (Class A) and may require permission (Planning Portal, 2024).
Planning Permission vs Building Regulations
These two systems are separate. Even if a pergola or outdoor kitchen does not need planning permission, some work may still require compliance with building regulations, including:
• Electrical installations
• Structural safety
• Fire safety for enclosed structures
(UK Government, 2023)
Open-sided pergolas, aluminium structures and most outdoor kitchens typically do not require Building Regulations approval unless enclosed.
How We Support You
At Luxury Outdoor Design, we ensure your proposed structure is designed with UK planning rules in mind. We will:
• Advise on placement and dimensions
• Flag any potential planning considerations
• Provide drawings for planning applications if required
• Help you understand your property’s specific restrictions
Buyer’s Responsibility Notice: It is the buyer’s responsibility to check and obtain all necessary planning permissions and other consents before making an order. We do not accept responsibility for any planning or other issues, as highlighted above, that may arise before or after purchase.
No Returns Policy: We do not accept returns if the necessary permissions and consents cannot be obtained. Ensure you have checked all legal requirements before placing an order.
References
Cranes Garden Buildings (2023) Planning Permission for Garden Buildings. Available at: https://www.cranegardenbuildings.co.uk/articles/planning-permission-for-garden-buildings (Accessed: 26/11/2025).
Gov.uk (2023) When is permission required? Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-is-permission-required (Accessed: 26/11/2025).
Planning Portal (2024) Outbuildings – Planning Permission. Available at: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/outbuildings/planning-permission (Accessed: 26/11/2025).
Technical Guidance – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (2019) Permitted Development Rights for Householders. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d77afc8e5274a27cdb2c9e9/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf (Accessed: 26/11/2025).
UK Government (2023) Building Regulations Guidance. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents (Accessed: 26/11/2025).