Do You Need Planning Permission for a Garden Room?

AMC Garden Rooms
Jun 18
3 min read

Adding a garden room – whether it’s a home office, private gym, kids’ playroom, or relaxation room – is a brilliant way to create more usable space without the disruption of a full extension.

One of the most common questions we get is: “Do I need planning permission?”

In many cases the answer is no, but there are a few important rules to be aware of before you start your garden room project.

When You Don’t Need Planning Permission for a Garden Room or Garden Office

Most garden rooms fall under permitted development, meaning you don’t need planning permission if your build meets certain conditions:

Location: The room must not be placed in front of your house
Size: It can’t take up more than 50% of the land around the original house
Height:
- Max 2.5m if it’s within 2 metres of a boundary
- Up to 3m (or 4m for dual-pitched roofs) if further away
Structure: Single-storey only, with no balconies or raised platforms
Use: Not for self-contained living or for businesses with regular on-site visitors (like a salon or treatment space)

When You Do Need Planning Permission for a Garden Room, Office or Studio

There are some situations where planning permission for a garden room or office will be required, such as:

You live in a designated area (like a conservation area or AONB)
Your home is listed
Your garden room is too large or positioned in front of your home
The space will be used as a separate dwelling or business with regular client visits

This list isn’t exhaustive so make sure you check carefully for your specific situation.

It’s important to distinguish between using a garden room as a quiet home office, which is usually fine, versus using it for something like a beauty room, therapy studio or consulting space, where clients regularly come and go. The latter may be classed as a change of use, and that’s when planning permission is more likely to be needed. In these cases, it’s best to check with your local authority early on.

Building Regulations for Garden Rooms: What You Need to Know

Even without planning permission, some projects still need to meet building regulations, especially if:

The room is over 30m²
It’s between 15–30m² and within 1 metre of a boundary (in which case it needs to be built from non-combustible materials)
It includes sleeping accommodation (e.g. a garden annexe as opposed to a garden room)

We’ll guide you through what applies to your project so nothing gets missed.

How AMC Garden Rooms Can Help

At AMC Garden Rooms, we design and build bespoke garden rooms that are not only beautiful, but fully compliant. Whether it’s a straightforward build or something a little more complex, we’ll walk you through the regulations and take care of the details.

And we don’t just do garden offices. Whether you're after a dedicated art studio, music room, private gym, or a space for the kids – like a teen den or playroom – we’ll help you bring it to life. Our garden rooms are fully insulated, finished to a high standard, and built for year-round use.

We also offer support with planning applications where needed, so you can relax knowing everything’s handled properly. We can handle the whole process for you, or provide drawings if you’d prefer to apply for planning permission yourself.

Ready to Create Your Ideal Garden Room?

Whether you're imagining a quiet garden office, a peaceful treatment space, or a light-filled studio to work or unwind in, AMC Garden Rooms is here to help.

We’ll design a room that suits your lifestyle and meets all the right rules – so all you need to do is enjoy it.