Do you Need Planning Permission for a Lean to?

At one time, homeowners were cautious about adding to their home because of the complex process of planning permission. But since the creation of Permitted Development, there is a lot more you can do without needing planning permission. But does this include adding a lean-to?

Permitted Development rules

Under Permitted Development, there is a range of changes you can make to your home without planning permission. However, this doesn’t mean there are no rules – just that they are more relaxed than before.

You can add a lean-to without planning permission—provided it meets all size, height and boundary restrictions.

For example, you can add an extension, porch or lean to without planning permission as long as:

• It is within the boundaries of the property and won’t cover more than 50% of the total area
• No part of the extension is higher than the eaves of the house
• The eaves are no more than three metres high if within two metres of the boundary
• A side extension isn’t more than four metres in height or wider than half the width of the original house

These rules largely apply to garden sheds, greenhouses and outbuildings—which can sometimes include a lean-to, depending on its placement. If it qualifies as an outbuilding, then no part of the lean-to can be forward of the principal or side elevation of the original house where it faces a road.

Some properties are excluded from Permitted Development rights entirely.

These include Listed Buildings, properties in a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a World Heritage Site, or the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. In these areas, planning permission is always required for any work.

Some local authorities also apply Article 4 restrictions, which remove certain Permitted Development rights—usually in conservation areas. If in doubt, check with your local planning office.

Building regulations

While there’s a good chance you won’t need planning permission to add a lean-to, building regulations still apply. These cover the materials, services and fittings used in the project. Although most regulations won’t apply to a simple lean-to, it is always worth checking with your local authority to ensure compliance.