Thinking about adding a porch to your home? You may be pleased to hear that in many cases, you don’t need planning permission. However, there are specific limits and conditions you need to follow for your project to qualify as permitted development under English planning rules.
Planning Rules for Porches in England
In general, adding a porch to any exterior door of your house is allowed without planning permission—provided you stick to certain criteria. These rules apply to front, rear, and side doors of a dwellinghouse.
To be classed as permitted development, your proposed porch must meet the following conditions:
- 🧱 Size: The external ground floor area must not exceed 3 square metres externally.
- 📏 Height: The structure must not be taller than 3 metres above ground level.
- 🚧 Proximity to highways: No part of the porch should be built within 2 metres of any boundary that fronts a road or footpath (i.e. a highway).
If your porch design meets all three of these criteria, AND your property is eligible for permitted development rights, it’s likely to fall under permitted development and won’t require a full planning application.
When Planning Permission Is Required
Even small porches can require planning permission in certain cases. You’ll need to apply if:
- The porch exceeds 3m² in floor area.
- It is more than 3 metres high.
- It’s within 2 metres of a boundary with a road or public footpath.
- Your home is in a designated area (e.g. a conservation area or National Park) with restricted development rights.
- A planning condition or an Article 4 Direction removes your permitted development rights.
It’s also worth checking your property deeds or previous approvals—some homes, especially new builds or converted properties, have specific conditions attached that could affect what you’re allowed to do.
Properties That Don’t Qualify for Permitted Development
The rules above apply only to houses. The following types of property are not eligible for permitted development rights:
- Flats or maisonettes
- Buildings converted into houses under permitted development rights (e.g. from shops, offices, or agricultural buildings)
- Homes created under Part 20 (e.g. upward extensions or additional storeys on flats)
In these cases, you’ll almost certainly need to submit a planning application before starting any work on a porch.
Check Before You Build
Planning rules can vary depending on your location, especially in areas with special planning controls. For example, if your property is in a conservation area or is listed, stricter rules apply. Always check with your local planning authority before committing to a project.
Some councils offer pre-application advice, although this may come with a small fee. You can also apply for a Lawful Development Certificate to get written confirmation that your porch is allowed under permitted development.
Conclusion
In most cases, you can add a small porch without needing planning permission in England – as long as it stays within the size, height, and boundary limits. However, exceptions exist, especially in protected areas or for properties with restricted development rights.
When in doubt, it’s always best to get advice from your local council to avoid delays, penalties, or the need to take down unauthorised work.
Emily
