Garden Room Permitted Development
London 2026
The complete guide to what you can build without planning permission in London — height limits, coverage rules, conservation areas, and every borough planning portal.
The Four PD Criteria for Garden Rooms
Under Class E of Schedule 2, Part 1 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, garden outbuildings are permitted development provided all four of the following criteria are met simultaneously. Failing any single one means you need full planning permission.
Height within 2m of boundary
Maximum total height (including roof) of 2.5m if any part of the structure is within 2 metres of a property boundary. More than 2m from every boundary: up to 4m (dual pitch) or 3m (mono pitch).
Garden coverage
Combined outbuildings (shed, garage, office, decking) must not exceed 50% of the original curtilage. This is measured from the original house footprint, not any subsequent extensions.
Ancillary use
The building must be 'incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house.' Office, gym, studio, art room — all qualify. Sleeping accommodation does not.
Position
Cannot be built forward of the principal (street-facing) elevation. Rear and side gardens only.
Listed buildings
PD rights do not apply to listed buildings. Any outbuilding requires Listed Building Consent regardless of size or use.
Article 4 directions
Some London conservation areas have Article 4 Directions that remove PD rights for outbuildings. Check your address on your council's planning map before engaging any installer.
Conservation Areas & Article 4 Directions
If your property is in a designated Conservation Area, Article 4 Directions may remove the PD rights that apply everywhere else in London. Areas with known Article 4 restrictions on outbuildings include parts of Hampstead, Highgate, Islington, Kensington, Richmond, and Wandsworth. Conservation area restrictions do not make a garden room impossible — they require full planning permission with a well-designed, sympathetically specified proposal. Our recommended installers check your conservation area status at survey stage.
All London Borough Planning Portals
| Area | Council | Status | Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastcote | London Borough of Hillingdon | ✓ Standard PD | Portal |
| Hampstead | London Borough of Camden | ⚠ Conservation Active | Portal |
| Harefield | London Borough of Hillingdon | ✓ Standard PD | Portal |
| Harrow | London Borough of Harrow | ⚠ Conservation Active | Portal |
| Hayes | London Borough of Hillingdon | ✓ Standard PD | Portal |
| Ickenham | London Borough of Hillingdon | ⚠ Conservation Active | Portal |
| North Harrow | London Borough of Harrow | ✓ Standard PD | Portal |
| Northolt | London Borough of Ealing | ✓ Standard PD | Portal |
| Northwood | London Borough of Hillingdon | ✓ Standard PD | Portal |
| Pinner | London Borough of Harrow | ⚠ Conservation Active | Portal |
| Rickmansworth | Three Rivers District Council | ⚠ Conservation Active | Portal |
| Ruislip | London Borough of Hillingdon | ⚠ Conservation Active | Portal |
| Stanmore | London Borough of Harrow | ✓ Standard PD | Portal |
| Uxbridge | London Borough of Hillingdon | ⚠ Conservation Active | Portal |
| Watford | Watford Borough Council | ⚠ Conservation Active | Portal |
| West Drayton | London Borough of Hillingdon | ✓ Standard PD | Portal |
| West Hampstead | London Borough of Camden | ⚠ Conservation Active | Portal |
| Bushey | Hertsmere Borough Council | ✓ Standard PD | Portal |
Planning & Advice guides