A shed can be a simple garden storage building, but larger sheds, workshops and outbuildings can raise planning questions. The planning position depends on the size, height, roof style, position, use and location of the shed.

​

Many domestic sheds may fall under permitted development when they are within the garden of a house and used for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling. However, Planning Portal guidance explains that outbuilding rules do not cover separate self-contained living accommodation or a separate change of use of land or buildings.

​

Planning issues can arise where:

​

• A new shed is large or visually prominent

• The shed is close to a boundary

• The roof height is too high

• The shed is forward of the main front wall of the house

• The shed covers a large part of the garden

• The shed is used as a workshop, office, gym or hobby room

• The shed includes plumbing, sleeping accommodation or independent facilities

• The property is in a conservation area

• The property is listed or within the grounds of a listed building

• Permitted development rights have been removed

• The council needs drawings to confirm the planning position

​

​

Ask PAS About Shed Plans and Drawings

 

Shed applications often depend on clear drawings. The council needs to understand exactly where the shed will go, how large it will be, how high it will be and how it will be used.

​

Planning Application Services (PAS) can prepare shed plans and drawings to help explain the proposal clearly.

​

PAS can help show:

​

• The existing house and garden layout

• The proposed shed position

• The shed footprint

• The height to the eaves and roof ridge

• The distance from boundaries

• The proposed roof style

• The proposed materials and external finish

• The intended use of the shed

• Whether the shed is for storage only or a more intensive use

• Whether a planning application or lawful development certificate may be needed

​

PAS can prepare plans and drawings for:

​

• Garden sheds

• Storage sheds

• Timber sheds

• Metal sheds

• Large domestic sheds

• Workshop sheds

• Hobby room sheds

• Garden equipment stores

• Bike stores

• Tool stores

• Potting sheds

• Shed and greenhouse combinations

• Sheds close to boundaries

• Sheds in conservation areas

• Retrospective shed planning applications

​

​

Shed Height, Roof Style and Boundary Position

 

Height is one of the main issues with sheds and garden outbuildings. Planning Portal guidance says outbuildings should be single storey, with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres, a maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual-pitched roof, or 3 metres for other roof types. Where an outbuilding is within 2 metres of a boundary, the maximum permitted development height is normally 2.5 metres.

​

This means roof style matters. A flat roof shed may be easier to keep below height limits, while a pitched roof, barn-style roof or taller workshop roof may need more care.

​

PAS can prepare drawings that show:

​

• Finished shed height

• Eaves height

• Ridge height

• Roof pitch

• Boundary distance

• Ground levels

• Door and window positions

• External materials

​

This is especially useful where the shed is close to a neighbour, close to a rear or side boundary, or larger than a normal storage shed.

​

​

What a Shed Planning Package May Include

 

The exact information depends on the shed, its size and its location, but a typical shed planning package may include:

​

• Site location plan

• Block plan

• Existing garden layout

• Proposed shed layout

• Shed floor plan

• Shed elevations

• Roof plan where useful

• Section drawing where needed

• Boundary distances

• Height notes

• Materials notes

• Photos of the existing garden

• Photos showing neighbouring context

• Supporting planning notes

• Lawful development certificate support where appropriate

• Planning application submission support

​

A clear drawing package helps the council understand the shed before it is ordered, delivered or built.

​

​

Storage Shed or Something More?

 

A small shed used for garden tools is usually a very different planning issue from a larger building used as a workshop, office, gym, treatment room, hobby space or occasional guest room.

​

The more the shed starts to look or operate like a separate room or independent building, the more important it is to check the planning position. Outbuilding permitted development rights are aimed at buildings incidental to the main house, not separate self-contained living accommodation.

​

Extra care may be needed where the shed includes:

​

• Heating

• Electrics

• Plumbing

• WC or shower facilities

• Sleeping accommodation

• Business use

• Regular visitors or clients

• Separate access

• Decking or raised platforms

• Hardstanding or paths

• Large windows facing neighbours

​

PAS can help explain the intended use clearly and advise whether the project is better handled as permitted development, a lawful development certificate, a planning application or a retrospective application.

​

​

Building Regulations and Sheds

 

Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate. A small detached garden building may not need Building Regulations approval in some cases, but this depends on size, boundary position, construction and use. Planning Portal guidance explains that detached outbuildings between 15 and 30 square metres are usually treated differently where they contain no sleeping accommodation and are either at least 1 metre from a boundary or built mainly from non-combustible materials.

​

Building Regulations or further technical advice may be more relevant where the shed includes:

​

• Sleeping accommodation

• Electrics

• Heating

• Plumbing

• Drainage

• Insulation

• Heavy storage

• Workshop equipment

• Foundations close to boundaries

• Fire safety considerations

​

PAS can help identify when further technical input may be needed, especially where the shed is larger, close to a boundary or intended for more than simple storage.

​

​

Why Professional Support Helps

 

Sheds are often sold as simple garden products, but planning problems can arise when the size, height, position or use has not been checked.

​

Professional support can help you avoid:

​

• Assuming every shed is permitted development

• Building too close to a boundary without checking height limits

• Choosing a roof style that creates a planning issue

• Placing the shed forward of the principal elevation

• Using the shed in a way that goes beyond normal garden storage

• Missing conservation area, listed building or Article 4 restrictions

• Submitting weak supplier drawings instead of planning drawings

• Ordering the shed before confirming the planning route

• Needing a retrospective planning application after installation

• Confusing planning permission with Building Regulations

​

PAS can help prepare the drawings and application information so the proposal is clear before the shed is purchased or built.

​

​

Full-Service Support from PAS

 

PAS can provide support from the first planning check through to application submission and next steps.

​

This may include:

​

• Initial project review

• Shed plans and drawings

• Garden layout drawings

• Shed elevations

• Roof-style and height review

• Boundary-position review

• Planning application support

• Lawful development certificate support

• Retrospective shed planning support

• Help responding to council queries

• Building Regulations advice where relevant

• Support where the shed forms part of a wider garden building, landscaping, driveway or outbuilding project

​

A shed can be a useful addition to a garden, but the size, height, location and use should be checked before ordering, delivery or installation.

​

​

Get expert help with your shed project

 

Whether you need shed plans, garden layout drawings, elevation drawings, a lawful development certificate, a planning application or retrospective planning support, Planning Application Services (PAS) can help you understand what is needed and provide a clear quote for the right level of support.

​

Tell us what type of shed you are planning, where it will go, how it will be used, and send any photos, sketches, existing drawings or supplier details you have, and we can advise on the next steps.