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Most greenhouses fall under the same planning permission guidelines as other garden buildings. It isn’t required most of the time, but there are some properties that will always need permission to build things in the garden, and there are some other limitations on what you can build without permission. Here’s what you need to know.
Do Greenhouses Need Planning Permission in the UK?
No, you won’t need planning permission for a greenhouse, as it falls under ‘permitted development’. However, these rights only apply if they stay within the standard limits set for outbuildings.
Keep in mind that it’s not the greenhouse itself that determines whether permission is needed, but how it follows the rules for size, location, and material.
Permitted Development Rights for Garden Buildings
Permitted development rights (PDR) are granted by the government, allowing homeowners to build or install garden buildings without submitting a planning permission application.
This includes greenhouses, which follow the same criteria as sheds, log cabins, summer houses, and other garden buildings. They must:
- Sit behind the front wall of your house (not in front gardens)
- Not take up more than 50% of your total garden space
- Stay within height limits:
- Max 2.5m if within 2m of a boundary
- Up to 4m for a dual-pitched roof (if further away)
- Up to 3m for other roof types
- Be single-storey only
- Not include a balcony, veranda, or raised platform
- Not to be used as self-contained accommodation
Our greenhouse units meet all these requirements and come in a variety of sizes to suit your garden:
What are the exceptions?
- Some or all of these limits are stricter if your property is in a conservation area, national park, Article 4 directive, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), or is a listed building. Always check local restrictions in such cases.
- “Incidental use.” For instance, normal gardening activity is fine, but running a business out of it might change the material use of your property and therefore require permission.
- Footprint rules include cumulative measurements with existing garden buildings. If you already have an existing structure, its sie and height count toward the maximums.
Say, you have a 3m x 2m shed and you want to add a 4m x 2m greenhouse. Your total outdoor space must be at least double both of these together.
Can You Build a Greenhouse in a Front Garden?
No, you can’t build a greenhouse in your front garden without planning permission. Anything placed forward of the main front wall of your house (the principal elevation) usually requires planning permission, as front gardens are treated differently under the rules.
- Front gardens are expected to remain visually open and consistent with the street scene.
- Structures should not obstruct pavements, driveways, or access points.
- They must avoid interfering with neighbours’ sightlines, sunlight, or outlook.
To avoid any issues, greenhouses are best placed in the back garden, where permitted development rules are easier to meet.
Learn what UK rules say about front garden sheds, which also apply to greenhouses:
Can I Put a Shed in My Front Garden?
When Do You Need Planning Permission for a Greenhouse?
Here’s a quick overview:
- The greenhouse is in your front garden or placed forward of the main front wall of your house.
- It exceeds height limits: over 2.5m if within 2m of a boundary, over 4m for dual-pitched roofs set further away, or over 3m for other roof types.
- It takes up too much of your garden, exceeding 50% of total garden space (including any existing structures).
- It includes more than one storey, or has a balcony, veranda, or raised platform higher than 30cm.
- It is intended for something beyond incidental use, such as living accommodation.
- Your property is in a protected area, such as a conservation area, national park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), or is a listed building.
If none of these situations apply, you can carry on planning and building your greenhouse.
Do Greenhouses Need Building Regulations Approval?
In almost all cases, no. Greenhouses actually have a specific legal exemption under UK Building Regulations.
As long as your greenhouse is a standard domestic structure used for growing plants (and not a commercial garden centre for retailing or packing), the building itself is completely exempt from these regulations.
However, we are adding this point because Building Regulations are not the same as planning permission. While the structure is exempt, any utilities you add are not. If you plan to run mains electricity (like heating, lighting, or automated watering systems) or permanent plumbing out to your greenhouse, that specific electrical or plumbing work must comply with strict safety standards, such as Part P of the Building Regulations for electrical safety. Always use a qualified professional for these installations.
FAQs
Can I move my greenhouse later without planning permission?
Yes, moving a greenhouse within the garden is exempted from planning permission. This is true provided the new location still meets the permitted development rules for size, height, and position.
Do greenhouses need foundations?
Yes, they do, but it doesn’t need to be a full foundation embedded into the soil. The greenhouse does need a flat, stable base covering the entire footprint. Best options include paving slabs, compacted gravel, or concrete pads – all of which help keep it level and prevent it from shifting.
Can I add shelves or raised beds inside my greenhouse?
Yes, internal fixtures like shelves or raised beds don’t affect planning rules. You can arrange the layout to suit your needs, and the same goes for the types of plants you choose to grow.
