Build a shed, garage or greenhouse at your house

You may want to add a shed, garage, greenhouse or other similar building to your house.

Before you do this, check if you need to apply for planning permission.

This guidance only applies if your home is a dwellinghouse. This means it's a house you live in and is not used for business purposes.

Permitted development

Most sheds, garages, greenhouses or other similar buildings do not need planning permission. This is called 'permitted development'.

The permitted development rules for sheds, garages, greenhouses or other similar buildings are:

it's located at the back of the house
it, and any other development, do not take up half or more of the grounds behind your home – known as the ‘rear curtilage’
it is not used as a separate home to live in
it is not higher than 4 metres at the highest point
any part that's a metre or less from the boundary is no higher than 2.5 metres
the eaves (the part where the wall meets the roof) are no higher than 3 metres
it has a footprint of no more than 4 square metres if it's in a conservation area or the grounds of a listed building

Smaller buildings such as bike storage units have different permitted development rules. These are:

it's located at the front or the back of the house
it is not higher than 1.5 metres
it is not wider than 2.5 metres
it is not deeper than 1.2 metres
it is not on the grounds of a World Heritage site
it's the only building on the grounds of your home that the permitted development rules apply to
it does not block sight of a road or footpath for drivers
it does not block light to another building

Read the Householder permitted development rights guidance on gov.scot to find out more about:

circumstances where a development qualifies as permitted development
instances where other restrictions apply

Planning permission

If the building you want to add is not permitted development, you must apply for planning permission.

Find out how to apply for planning permission. You can also contact your local council for further information.

Planning permission

Always check with your council to confirm if you need planning permission. Even if you meet the permitted development rules, there might be other approvals you'll need to get.

Other approvals

You may need other approvals before starting work. For example, your local council might ask for building regulation approval.

If you do not own the land, you must get the landowner’s permission (for example, if you’re a tenant or share ownership).

If your home is a listed building, you’ll also need listed building consent.

It’s your responsibility to make sure you have all the approvals you need.

Thanks for your feedback

Information

Permitted development

Planning permission

Other approvals