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WHAT ARE HOUSEHOLDER PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS?

Householder permitted development rights cover certain changes – “developments” – that can be made to existing houses and their gardens without any need to apply for planning permission. 

DO ALL HOUSES HAVE HOUSEHOLDER PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS?

The following types of residential properties do not have any householder permitted development rights:

• Houses created from the conversion of another type of building by way of a permitted development right*
• Flats.

*For example, a house converted from a barn under “Class Q” of the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 [as amended].

Otherwise, most normal houses have householder permitted development rights unless they have been removed or restricted by the local council. 

Additional restrictions

There are a couple of ways that local councils can remove or restrict permitted development rights from properties that would otherwise have them. 

Article 4 directions

The first is by using Article 4 directions. With an Article 4 direction, permitted development rights can be restricted or removed from a single house, a row of houses or a whole neighbourhood area. They are often used in Conservation Areas and other sensitive locations where certain permitted developments – e.g. replacing timber windows with UPVC units – would cause harm. Use the button below to find out more about Article 4 directions.

Planning conditions

In addition, a local council can remove or restrict householder permitted development rights when they grant planning permission. In these cases, the decision notice will include a condition that tells you exactly which householder permitted development rights have been restricted (see example below).

For this reason, you should always check the planning history of your house to find out if permitted development rights have been restricted in the past.

Listed buildings have some householder permitted development rights but not all. Nevertheless, most changes to listed buildings – whether they are covered by permitted development rights or not – require a separate application for listed building consent. Use the button below to find out more.

WHAT CHANGES DO HOUSEHOLDER PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS COVER?

Householder permitted development rights cover the following categories (known as “classes”):

Most houses also possess general permitted development rights – these are rights that apply to a range of sites – including:

• gates, walls and fences
• exterior painting
• CCTV cameras
• charging points for electric vehicles
• renewable energy measures, such as:
  • solar panels – attached or standalone
  • air, water and ground source heat pumps
  • wind turbines.

However, the following structures are not covered by any householder permitted development rights and will always require a full planning application: 

• verandahs
• balconies – with the sole exception of Juliet balconies
• raised platforms of heights greater than 0.3 m, including decking.

Limitations & conditions

Each permitted development category – or class – is subject to a number of limitations and conditions. These include, for example, conditions and limitations that tell you what form, position and materials the new building or structure must adopt.

A development will only be “permitted development” if it complies with all relevant limitations and conditions. 

If your development includes a combination of different permitted development classes, it will need to comply with all relevant rules within the various classes. For example, if your development involves a rear extension as well as an addition to the roof, it must be in accordance with classes A and B.

The main limitations and conditions associated with each householder permitted development class (A – H) appear further down this page. Please note: these rules are not necessarily exhaustive. 

DO I NEED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO MY LOCAL COUNCIL?

You can find the detailed answer to this question on our main permitted development rights page. Access this page using the button below.

In short, if the permitted development right is subject to prior approval, you must submit a prior approval application prior to commencing works. 

The only householder permitted development rights currently subject to prior approval are larger rear extensions (under Class A) and upward extensions (under Class AA). Find out more about these rights below.

A planning application is not strictly required if the permitted development right is not subject to prior approval. Indeed, the whole point of the permitted development regime is to enable specific, unproblematic developments to be undertaken without the need to apply for planning permission.

However, we strongly recommend that you apply for a lawful development certificate prior to commencing works. This is because it’s easy to misunderstand or misapply a permitted development rule, especially on irregular sites* or houses with a complex planning history.

*For example, a corner plot, a house on sloping ground, a house with stepped or curved walls etc.

We discuss common pitfalls in more detail on our main permitted development rights page. Access this page using the button above.

You can also find out more about lawful development certificates using the button below. 

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR HOME EXTENSIONS (CLASS A)?

Class A is concerned with “enlargements, improvements or alterations of the house”. It covers the following types of domestic extension only:

• single-storey rear extensions – subdivided into smaller and larger
• two-storey plus rear extensions
• single-storey side extensions.

If your development includes a combination of Class A extension types – such as a single-storey rear extension PLUS a single-storey side extension – it must comply with the rules for both (see lists below).

The Rules

The rules include both limitations and conditions. ALL Class A extensions are subject to the following limitations and conditions:

Limitations

• No more than 50% of the total domestic plot (excluding the area occupied by the house when first built) can be covered by buildings
• The new eaves cannot be higher than the house’s existing eaves
• The house cannot be increased in height
• No extension beyond an original front wall of the house
• No extension beyond an original side wall of the house IF this faces a road
• No extension within 2 metres of a site boundary if its eaves height is greater than 3 metres.

Conditions

The most important conditions are:

• External materials must be similar in appearance to the existing house (except conservatories)
• Any upper-floor side windows – in the wall or roof-slope – must be obscure-glazed AND non-opening (unless the opening parts are at least 1.7m above the floor of the room)
• The roof pitch of upper-floor extensions should match the main house’s roof pitch. 

Unfortunately, if your extension doesn’t comply with all of the above rules, it’s not permitted development. This doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be built but you will need to apply for planning permission first. You can find out more about getting planning permission for home extensions using the button below.

If your extension complies with the above rules, you must now check it complies with the relevant set(s) of rules below.

Smaller single-storey rear extensions

• Maximum height of 4 metres
• Extension beyond the house’s original rear wall by a maximum of:
  • 4 metres for a detached house
  • 3 metres for any other house.

Larger single-storey rear extensions

This specific right does not apply in Conservation Areas, AONBs, National Parks, the Broads or World Heritage Sites.

• Maximum height of 4 metres
• Extension beyond the house’s original rear wall by a maximum of:
  • 8 metres for a detached house
  • 6 metres for any other house
• You must make an application for your local council’s prior approval before commencing works*

*Larger rear extensions belong to a special category of permitted development that is “subject to prior approval”. This means that unlike most permitted development rights, you must submit an application to your local council prior to commencing works. Once they have received your application, your council will consult your immediate neighbours. If any neighbours object, your council must assess the impact of the extension on neighbouring properties. If your council thinks the impact is unacceptable, they will refuse prior approval and you must not proceed.

Use the button below to find out more about the prior approval process.

Two storey (plus) rear extensions

This specific right does not apply in Conservation Areas, AONBs, National Parks, the Broads or World Heritage Sites.

• Extension beyond the house’s original rear wall by a maximum of 3 metres
• No extension within 7 metres of a site boundary that is located opposite the house’s rear wall.

Single storey side extensions

This specific right does not apply in Conservation Areas, AONBs, National Parks, the Broads or World Heritage Sites.

• Maximum height of 4 metres
• Maximum width is half the width of the original house.

My extension doesn’t comply…

You’re probably aware by now that permitted development rules only cover the most basic of domestic extensions. If your domestic extension doesn’t comply with the relevant permitted development rules, all is not necessarily lost as you can still apply to your local council for planning permission.

Find out more about getting planning permission for a home extension – including how to design your extension & what matters your local council will take into account – using the button below.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR ENLARGEMENT OF THE HOUSE BY CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL STOREYS (CLASS AA)?

Class AA covers “enlargement of the house by construction of additional storeys”. In other words, it allows for the upward extension of existing houses. This right was first introduced in August 2020.

This right does NOT apply:

• if the original house has already been extended upwards
• in National Parks, the Broads, AONBs, World Heritage Sites, Conservation Areas or Sites of Special Scientific Interest
• to houses constructed before 01/07/1948 or after 28/10/2018.

The Rules

The rules include both limitations and conditions. ALL Class AA upward extensions are subject to the following limitations and conditions:

Limitations

• If the existing house has two or more storeys, it can be extended upward by no more than two storeys
• Additional storeys must be located immediately above the existing house’s topmost storey
• Additional storeys must be located above the principal part of the house – i.e. not above any front, side or rear extensions
• The house cannot be increased in height to more than 18 metres
• The floor to ceiling height of any additional storey (measured internally) cannot exceed whichever is the lower of:
  • 3 metres
  • The floor to ceiling height of any existing storey in the principal part of the house.
• No visible support structures can be left on or attached to the exterior of the house upon completion of the extension. 

Conditions

The most important conditions are:

• Construction materials must be similar in appearance to the existing house
• No side windows
• New roof pitch must be the same as the existing roof pitch
• You must make an application for your local council’s prior approval before commencing works*

*Class AA upward extensions belong to a special category of permitted development that is “subject to prior approval”. This means that unlike most permitted development rights, you must make an application to your local council prior to commencing works. Once they have received your application, your council will consider the impact of the upward extension on:

• Neighbouring properties, including their privacy and access to light
• The external appearance of the house
• Air traffic and defence
• Protected views. 

If your council thinks any of these impacts are unacceptable, they will refuse prior approval and you must not proceed.

The developer must also: 

• Supply the council with a construction management plan prior to commencing works
• Complete the development within 3 years of the prior approval date
• Notify the council when the development is complete. 

Click the button below to find out more about the prior approval process.

If your upward extension complies with the above rules, you must now check it complies with the relevant set(s) of rules below.

Houses with a single storey

• It can be extended upward by no more than one storey
• The highest part of the new roof must not exceed its existing height by more than 3.5 metres.

Houses with two or more storeys

• It can be extended upward by no more than two storeys
• The highest part of the new roof must not exceed its existing height by more than 7 metres.

Semi-detached houses

• It cannot exceed the height of any house with which it shares a wall by more than 3.5 metres.

Terraced houses

• It cannot exceed the height of any house in the terrace row by more than 3.5 metres.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR ADDITIONS TO THE ROOF (CLASS B)?

This specific right does not apply in National Parks, the Broads, AONBs, World Heritage Sites or Conservation Areas.

Class B is concerned with “additions etc. to the roof”. It mainly covers loft conversions, dormer windows and hip-to-gable extensions.

Chimneys, flues etc. are not covered by this class but they are covered elsewhere (Class G).

Main limitations

• The house cannot be increased in height
• No extension beyond a roof plane located at the front of the house AND facing a road
• Total cubic content of the roof space cannot exceed the house’s original roof space by more than:
  • 40 cubic metres for a terraced house
  • 50 cubic metres for any other house.

Main conditions

• External materials must be similar in appearance to the existing house
• Any side windows must be obscure-glazed AND non-opening (unless the opening parts are at least 1.7m above the floor of the room).

If your Class B addition is a dormer window, the following conditions also apply:

• The eaves of the original roof must be maintained or reinstated
• A gap of at least 0.2 metres must be maintained between the new addition and the outside edge of the eaves
• No part of the addition can extend beyond the outside face of any original, external wall of the house. 

My extension doesn’t comply…

You’re probably aware by now that permitted development rules only cover the most basic of roof alterations. If your loft conversion, dormer window or hip-to-gable extension doesn’t comply with all relevant permitted development rules, all is not necessarily lost as you can still apply to your local council for planning permission. To find out more about getting planning permission for loft conversions, click the button below.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR OTHER ALTERATIONS TO THE ROOF (CLASS C)?

Class C is concerned with “other alterations to the roof”. It mainly covers rooflights.

Although chimneys, flues, solar panels etc. aren’t covered by this class, they are covered elsewhere.

Main limitations

• No alteration can protrude more than 0.15 metres beyond the plane of the original roof slope
• The house cannot increase in height.

Main conditions

• Any side windows must be obscure-glazed AND non-opening (unless the opening parts are at least 1.7m above the floor of the room).

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR PORCHES (CLASS D)?

Class D covers porches that are built outside any external door of a house. 

Main limitations

• The ground area (measured externally) covered by the porch cannot exceed 3 square metres
• No part of the structure can be more than 3 metres above ground level
• No part of the structure can be within 2 metres of a site boundary if that boundary is next to a road. 

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR BUILDINGS ETC. (CLASS E)?

This specific right doesn’t apply to listed buildings (or land within their curtilage). Additional restrictions also apply in National Parks, the Broads, AONBs, World Heritage Sites and Conservation Areas.

Class E covers detached buildings located in the grounds of a house, including detached garages, swimming pools, summerhouses, sheds, oil/gas containers and enclosures. 

All class E buildings must be constructed for a purpose “incidental” to the main house. Incidental purposes exclude primary living accommodation such as bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Consequently, granny annexes and self-contained dwellings are also excluded. 

Main limitations

• No more than 50% of the total domestic site (excluding the area occupied by the house when first built) can be covered by buildings
• No part of the building can be located forwards of an original front wall of the house
• The building cannot have more than a single storey
• The height of the building cannot exceed the following maximums:
  • 4 metres if the building has a dual-pitched roof
  • 2.5 metres if the building is within 2 metres of a site boundary
  • 3 metres in any other case.
• The height of the building’s eaves cannot exceed 2.5 metres
• If the building is a container, its capacity cannot exceed 3500 litres. 

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR HARD SURFACES (CLASS F)?

Class F covers the new provision or replacement of domestic hard surfaces such as driveways and patios. 

All class F hard surfaces must be provided for a purpose “incidental” to the main house. For the most part, this just means it needs to be for the normal use of the site’s domestic occupants.

There are no limitations for this class and only a small number of conditions.

Main conditions

• If the new hard surface measures 5 square metres or more AND is positioned between the front wall of the house and a road it MUST:
  • be made of porous materials OR
  • provision must be made to direct run-off water to a permeable or porous area within the site. 

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR CHIMNEYS, FLUES ETC. (CLASS G)?

Class G covers the installation, alteration or replacement of domestic chimneys, flues and soil & vent pipes. 

Main limitations

• The chimney, flue or soil & vent pipe cannot exceed the highest part of the existing roof by 1 metre or more. 

Additional restrictions apply in National Parks, the Broads, AONBs, World Heritage Sites and Conservation Areas.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR MICROWAVE ANTENNA (CLASS H)?

Class H covers the installation, alteration or replacement of microwave antenna such as satellite dishes and TV aerials. 

Main limitations

• No more than 2 antennas to be installed throughout the site
• No antenna to exceed 1 metre in length
• No antenna installed on a chimney to exceed 0.6 metres in length
• Antenna not to have a cubic capacity greater than 35 litres
• Antennas installed on roofs without chimneys cannot protrude above the roof
• No antenna installed on a chimney to protrude above the chimney
• Antennas installed on roofs with chimneys cannot (a) protrude above the chimney OR (b) protrude above the roof by more than 0.6 metres, whichever is the lower of (a) or (b).

Main conditions

• If the antenna is installed on a building, it should be sited to minimise its effect on the building’s external appearance
• If the antenna is no longer needed for reception or transmission purposes, it should be removed as soon as possible. 

Additional restrictions apply in National Parks, the Broads, AONBs, World Heritage Sites and Conservation Areas.

WHAT ABOUT FENCES, WALLS AND GATES?

There is a permitted development right to construct new or replacement fences, walls, gates and other means of enclosure. This permitted development right applies to a wide range of sites and properties, including most houses and commercial premises. 

Unlike householder permitted development rights, the right to construct fences, walls and gates also applies to:

• Houses created from the conversion of another type of building by way of a permitted development right*
• Flats.

*For example, a house converted from a barn under “Class Q” of the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 [as amended].

This permitted development right does not apply to listed buildings or land within their curtilage.

If you would like to construct a new or replacement fence, wall or gate on or around your domestic property without applying for planning permission, you must comply with the relevant limitations below.

New fences, walls or gates

• If it is located next to a road used by vehicles (or a pavement next to that road), it can be no higher than 1 metre above ground level
• If it is located anywhere else, it can be no higher than 2 metres above ground level.

Improving, maintaining or altering an existing fence, wall or gate*

• Height must not increase.

*A word of warning: if you demolish and rebuild your enclosure, the height limits for new fences, walls or gates (1 or 2 metres) will apply.

Hedges are not subject to any height restrictions. However, if you choose to replace a tall hedge with a fence or wall (etc.), that fence or wall will be subject to the same height restrictions as any other new fence, wall or gate.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

The government has published some guidance to help homeowners better understand the permitted development rights available to them. You can access a copy for free by clicking the button below.

In addition, Planning Portal’s Interactive House (access below) is a handy visual tool. Although this provides a great starting point, we don’t recommend that you rely on it alone.

You can also contact us directly if you require professional planning assistance with a permitted development project. Our initial advice is always free of charge.