At a glance
Your house type changes the answer.
The headline limit for every project on a house with full permitted development rights — and what happens to it in a conservation area or on a listed building. Flats and maisonettes have none of these rights.
| Project | Detached | Semi | Terrace | Conservation area | Listed building |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension | 4 m · 8 m with PA | 3 m · 6 m with PA | 3 m · 6 m with PA | Tighter limits | Consent likely |
| Two-storey extension | 3 m | 3 m | 3 m | Needs permission | Consent likely |
| Side extension | Half the width | Half the width | Half the width | Needs permission | Consent likely |
| Loft conversion | 50 m³ | 50 m³ | 40 m³ | Needs permission | Consent likely |
| Garden room | 2.5 m high by boundaries | 2.5 m high by boundaries | 2.5 m high by boundaries | Tighter limits | Needs permission |
| Porch | 3 m² | 3 m² | 3 m² | Same limits | Consent likely |
| Solar panels | 0.2 m projection | 0.2 m projection | 0.2 m projection | Same limits | Needs permission |
| Air source heat pump | 2 units | 1 unit | 1 unit | Tighter limits | Needs permission |
| Fences, walls and gates | 2 m · 1 m by a road | 2 m · 1 m by a road | 2 m · 1 m by a road | Same limits | Needs permission |
| External cladding | Matching materials | Matching materials | Matching materials | Needs permission | Consent likely |
PA = prior approval: the larger home extension scheme, where you notify the council and neighbours first. Not available in conservation areas. “Consent likely” means listed building consent is needed for almost any change.
01 · 4 projects
Extensions
Out the back, to the side, upwards, or a porch at the front.
- Part 1, Class AConservation area Tighter limits
Rear extension
- detached
- 4 m · 8 m
- semi
- 3 m · 6 m
- terrace
- 3 m · 6 m
How far a single-storey rear extension can go under permitted development in England: 3 m semi or terrace, 4 m detached, 6 m and 8 m with prior approval.
Read the rules → - Part 1, Class AConservation area Needs permission
Two-storey extension
3 m
When a two-storey rear extension is permitted development in England: up to 3 m deep, at least 7 m from the rear boundary, roof and materials to match.
Read the rules → - Part 1, Class AConservation area Needs permission
Side extension
Half the width
Side extension permitted development in England: single storey, up to 4 m high, no wider than half the original house. Not allowed in conservation areas.
Read the rules → - Part 1, Class DConservation area Same limits
Porch
3 m²
Permitted development for porches in England: up to 3 m² of floor space, no higher than 3 m, and at least 2 m from a boundary with a road.
Read the rules →
02 · 2 projects
Roof & garden
Loft space, dormers, and garden rooms, sheds and studios.
- Part 1, Class BConservation area Needs permission
Loft conversion
- detached
- 50 m³
- semi
- 50 m³
- terrace
- 40 m³
Loft conversion and dormer permitted development in England: 40 m³ of roof space on a terrace, 50 m³ on a semi or detached. Not in conservation areas.
Read the rules → - Part 1, Class EConservation area Tighter limits
Garden room
2.5 m high by boundaries
Permitted development for garden rooms, sheds and outbuildings in England: 2.5 m high within 2 m of a boundary, no more than half the garden covered.
Read the rules →
03 · 4 projects
Energy & outside
Solar panels, heat pumps, boundaries and cladding.
- Part 14, Class AConservation area Same limits
Solar panels
0.2 m projection
Solar panel permitted development in England: no more than 20 cm from the roof slope, no higher than the roof. Extra rules for listed buildings.
Read the rules → - Part 14, Class GConservation area Tighter limits
Air source heat pump
- detached
- 2 units
- semi
- 1 unit
- terrace
- 1 unit
Permitted development for air source heat pumps in England: the 37 dB noise limit at the neighbour's window, size limits and where you can't put one.
Read the rules → - Part 2, Class AConservation area Same limits
Fences, walls and gates
2 m · 1 m by a road
How high you can build a fence, wall or gate without planning permission in England: 2 m, or 1 m next to a road used by vehicles.
Read the rules → - Part 1, Class AConservation area Needs permission
External cladding
Matching materials
When you can clad or render your house without planning permission in England — materials of similar appearance, and never in a conservation area.
Read the rules →
Before you rely on these limits
Three things can take them away.
Conservation areas
Shrink or remove several classes — side extensions, two-storey extensions and roof extensions among them.
Article 4 directions
Your council can remove specific rights street by street. Only some councils publish them nationally.
Old planning conditions
A condition on your house’s original permission can remove rights. No public dataset holds them.
Which of these apply to your house?
Enter your postcode — we check the restrictions at your address and show the limits that are left.