Permitted Development Rights: What Homeowners Should Know

Permitted development rights can sound complicated, but the basic idea is simple. In the UK, some types of home improvements can be done without applying for full planning permission, as long as you follow certain rules. These rules cover things like the size of extensions, where you place them, and how they affect your neighbours and the street. Understanding permitted development can save you time, money, and paperwork. It can also help you decide whether your planned loft conversion, extension, or other changes are likely to be straightforward or need a full planning application.

Let’s explain what permitted development rights are, and why it’s still important to double-check the rules before you start building.

What are permitted development rights?

Permitted development rights are rules that let you make certain changes to your home without applying for full planning permission, as long as you stay within set limits. 

They are created by the UK government and then applied by local councils. Think of them as a list of “pre-approved” types of work, but only if you follow the size, height, and position rules carefully.

Important: permitted development usually applies to houses, not flats, maisonettes, or converted buildings, and it may be restricted in some special areas (such as conservation areas or national parks).

1. Check if your home actually has permitted development rights

Before you rely on permitted development, you need to know if it applies to your property. In simple terms:

• Most standard houses have permitted development rights.
• Many flats, maisonettes, and some new-builds do not.
• Some homes have had their permitted development rights removed by the council (for example, through a planning condition or Article 4 Direction).

You can usually find this out by:

• Check past planning decisions for your property on your council’s website.
  
  
• Speaking to the planning department or a planning professional.

If your rights have been removed or restricted, you may need full planning permission, even for work that would normally be permitted.

2. Rear extensions under permitted development

Many small to medium rear extensions can be done under permitted development if you follow the rules. Broadly, these rules often include:

• How far you can extend from the original rear wall of the house (often measured in metres, and different for detached vs semi-detached/terraced).
• Maximum height of the extension.
• Limits on overall size and volume.
• Not covering too much of the original garden with the new building.

The key point: you can’t just build any size extension you want and call it permitted development. You have to stay within strict size and height limits, and the extension usually needs to be at the rear, not projecting too far or too high.

3. Side extensions and wrap-around extensions

Side extensions are sometimes allowed under permitted development, but the rules are tighter. For example:

• They may have to be single-storey only.
• They must not be wider than a certain percentage of the original house width.
• They must not exceed specific limits.

If you want to combine a rear and side extension into a wraparound shape, this is often too big or complex for permitted development and may require full planning permission. It’s important to check carefully before assuming it’s allowed.

4. Loft conversions and roof changes

Loft conversions are among the most common permitted development projects in the UK. In many cases, you can:

• Add dormer windows at the rear (and sometimes sides) within specific volume limits.
• Install rooflights that do not project too far above the existing roof line.

However, permitted development usually does not allow:

• Big dormers at the front roof slope facing the road (especially in many areas).
• Raising the overall roof height.

There are also limits on the extra volume you can add to the roof. If your loft conversion stays within these rules, it may be permitted development. If not, you’ll likely need planning permission.

5. Outbuildings, sheds, and garden rooms

You can often build sheds, garden rooms, or outbuildings under permitted development if:

• They are for “incidental” use (office, gym, hobby room, storage) – not a separate home.
• They are not too high (there are different height limits for pitched vs flat roofs).
• They are not too close to boundaries at higher heights.
• They do not take up more than a certain percentage of the garden.

Even if planning permission is not needed, you may still need to comply with building regulations if the building is large, used as living space, or has plumbing and heating.

Use permitted development wisely with our help

At Refresh Renovations UK, we help you make sense of permitted development and planning rules in plain English. We look at your home, your goals, and your local council's context, then advise whether your project falls under permitted development or requires full planning permission. From there, we handle the design, drawings, and paperwork, so you can focus on the end result rather than the regulations.

If you’re thinking about a home extension or other upgrade and want to know what’s possible under permitted development in the UK, get in touch with us. We’ll help you choose the right path and move forward with your renovation, knowing the rules are on your side.