Interactive tool
Check your planning permission
Covers England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, plus listed buildings, conservation areas, AONB, and National Parks.
Run the Planning Checker →What Permitted Development means in plain English
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 is the legal framework that lets homeowners build certain things in their gardens without a separate planning application. Greenhouses, sheds, summerhouses, garden offices, and similar outbuildings fall under Class E of Schedule 2 of the Order, collectively called "incidental structures".
In practice, Permitted Development (PD) covers most domestic greenhouses on most UK plots. The legal default is: you can build a greenhouse without a planning application, as long as it stays within specific size and placement limits.
The four limits that flip a greenhouse from PD-allowed to permission-required are well-defined. Knowing them before you order saves the £206 planning application fee, the 8-12 week wait, and a possible refusal.
This guide is informational and reflects national-level rules. Your local council can have additional restrictions (Article 4 Directions remove PD rights in specific areas), and the rules differ slightly across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Always confirm with your local planning authority before ordering if you're not certain.
The 4 conditions that decide PD vs planning application
Condition 1: Ridge height ≤ 3.00 m (or 4.00 m for dual-pitched roof)
The ridge (highest point) of the greenhouse must not exceed:
- 3.00 m if it's a single-pitched roof or flat-roof structure
- 4.00 m if it's a dual-pitched roof (apex roof)
Most quality wooden greenhouses sit comfortably under 3m. NORDIC's 2.30m ridge, constant across all five sizes (S/M/L/XL/XXL), is well within PD limits with 70cm of headroom margin.
What pushes a structure over: lean-to designs against tall walls, multi-tier orangeries, structures with elaborate cupolas or lantern roofs.
Condition 2: Eaves height ≤ 2.50 m within 2.00 m of any boundary
If your greenhouse sits within 2m of a property boundary (fence, hedge, neighbouring garden), the eaves (where the wall meets the roof) cannot exceed 2.50m above ground level. Above 2.50m within 2m of boundary, planning permission is required.
This is the most-tripped condition for greenhouses on smaller UK plots where space-efficient placement puts the structure close to a fence. NORDIC's 2.30m ridge means the eaves are at ~1.85-2.00m, comfortably under the 2.50m boundary limit, regardless of how close to the fence you place it.
If you're going for a tall heritage-style aluminium frame or a lean-to greenhouse against your house wall: measure carefully. The eaves rule catches more buyers than the ridge rule does.
Condition 3: Total area of all outbuildings ≤ 50% of garden
The combined footprint of all outbuildings (greenhouse + shed + summerhouse + garden office, etc.) cannot exceed 50% of the total garden area excluding the house itself.
For most UK gardens this is a non-issue. A 5m² greenhouse on a 200m² garden is 2.5% of the available outdoor area. But if you're packing a 15m² greenhouse, an 8m² shed, a 12m² home office, and a workshop into a 70m² courtyard garden, you may breach 50%.
Maths check for the largest NORDIC (XXL, 6.00m × 2.60m = 15.6m² external):
- Garden area 32m² → XXL is 49% (just under, but tight)
- Garden area 35m² → XXL is 45% (safe)
- Garden area 50m²+ → XXL is 32% or less (clearly safe)
If your plot is small, consider NORDIC L (10.4 m² internal) or NORDIC M (7.8 m² internal) instead.
Condition 4: Front of the property = no PD (always permission needed)
You cannot use PD to build any outbuilding between your house and the road (the "front curtilage"). PD only applies to the rear or side garden, not the front garden.
Putting a greenhouse in the front garden, visible to the street and likely overshadowing pavement, requires planning permission, often refused on amenity grounds.
What's NOT covered by PD (always needs planning permission)
Listed Buildings
If your house is Listed (Grade I, II*, or II), you need Listed Building Consent for any structure within the curtilage, regardless of size. PD rights are removed for Listed properties.
Check first: search historicengland.org.uk (or the equivalent for Scotland/Wales/NI) before ordering. The check takes 2 minutes and prevents an expensive enforcement notice later.
Conservation Areas
In a Conservation Area, PD rights are restricted but not eliminated. Outbuildings over 4m³ (yes, cubic metres) at the side or rear may need permission. This applies whether or not the greenhouse is visible from the street.
A NORDIC S (2.0m × 2.6m × 2.3m = 11.96m³) is over the 4m³ threshold. So even our smallest size needs a planning check in Conservation Areas, despite being well under the national PD ridge/eaves limits.
Check first: most local council websites have a "is my property in a Conservation Area?" map tool. Confirm before ordering if you're in a designated area.
Article 4 Directions
Some local councils have Article 4 Directions that remove PD rights for specific areas (often historic streets, designated villages, or significant landscape settings). The Direction can be very narrow (for example, "no front-curtilage outbuildings without permission") or broad (for example, "all PD removed").
Article 4s are listed on local planning authority websites. If your area has one, it'll come up in the planning portal search.
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland: devolved rules
Permitted Development rights have been devolved since 2008-2014. The four nations have similar but slightly different rules:
- Scotland: ridge limit 4m anywhere (not split between dual/single-pitch), eaves 3m, 4m boundary rule
- Wales: similar to England but with extra restrictions in National Parks
- Northern Ireland: closely mirrors England with minor variations
If you're outside England, search "Permitted Development [your nation] greenhouse" on your government planning portal. The rules are clear once you find them.
How NORDIC fits Permitted Development for most UK plots
Every NORDIC size shares the same critical dimensions:
| Spec | Value | PD limit | Headroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge height | 2.30 m | 3.00 m (single-pitch) or 4.00 m (dual) | 70 cm to 170 cm under |
| Eaves height | ~1.85-2.00 m | 2.50 m (within 2 m of boundary) | 50-65 cm under |
| Footprint (largest, XXL) | 15.6 m² | up to 50% of garden | depends on garden size |
| Position | rear/side garden | front prohibited | NORDIC always assembled in rear |
This means NORDIC sits comfortably within standard England PD limits regardless of placement. The constraints to check yourself:
- Are you in a Conservation Area? (4m³ threshold applies)
- Is your house Listed? (Listed Building Consent needed regardless of size)
- Is there an Article 4 Direction in your area?
- Is your garden under ~35m² total? (50% area check)
For most UK domestic plots, NORDIC fits PD without any application needed.
What to do if you're not sure
The fastest path:
- Check Listed status: search the Historic England List (or equivalent devolved-nations register). Listed = always needs permission, regardless of greenhouse size.
- Check Conservation Area: your local council planning website has a postcode lookup. Conservation Area = needs check for any outbuilding over 4m³.
- Check Article 4: same council planning website, search "Article 4 Direction".
- Pre-application advice: most councils offer informal "planning advice" for £40-£80, where a planning officer reviews your specific situation and gives written confirmation. Worth doing for any borderline case (Conservation Area, near a Listed neighbour, plot under 50m²).
- Lawful Development Certificate: if you want absolute certainty, you can apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness for your proposed greenhouse. Costs £103, takes 6-8 weeks, gives you a legally binding "yes, this is PD". Useful for borderline situations or if you plan to sell the house later.
Common mistakes that trigger enforcement
UK councils don't actively patrol gardens for unauthorised greenhouses, but neighbours sometimes report. The five mistakes that lead to enforcement notices:
Mistake 1: Building first, asking later. If a complaint reaches the council about your greenhouse, they'll send a planning officer to assess. If it breaches PD, you'll receive an enforcement notice giving you 28 days to either remove it or submit a retrospective application. Retrospective fees are higher and the refusal rate is also higher (no chance to redesign).
Mistake 2: Ignoring the eaves rule. "But the ridge is only 2.5m!" doesn't help if your eaves are 2.7m and you're 1m from the fence. Eaves and ridge are both measured.
Mistake 3: Front garden placement. Even small greenhouses in the front curtilage need permission, and are often refused on visual amenity grounds.
Mistake 4: Conservation Area without check. The 4m³ threshold is often forgotten. A standard 3×2m greenhouse is ~14m³, well over the threshold.
Mistake 5: Boundary disputes. If your greenhouse sits exactly on the boundary, your neighbour can demand removal or compensation under boundary law (separate from planning). Always leave 30-60cm clearance from the actual fence line, both for assembly access and to avoid disputes. The clearance also matters when preparing your greenhouse base: paving slabs need that perimeter for proper drainage.
What to tell your neighbours (good practice, not legal requirement)
PD doesn't require notifying neighbours. But for a structure that will sit there for 20+ years and be visible from their garden:
- Give them a heads-up before delivery, even just a card through the door
- Offer to show them the plans if they're curious
- Confirm the greenhouse is within PD (height, distance, etc.)
Most neighbour disputes about greenhouses come from being surprised by the structure appearing without notice. A 5-minute conversation prevents most issues.
Summary: the 30-second PD check
For a typical UK domestic plot, your greenhouse is PD-compliant if:
- ✅ Ridge ≤ 3.00 m (or 4.00 m if dual-pitched)
- ✅ Eaves ≤ 2.50 m if within 2.00 m of any boundary
- ✅ Total outbuildings cover ≤ 50% of garden
- ✅ Greenhouse is in rear or side garden (not front)
- ✅ House is not Listed
- ✅ Garden is not in a Conservation Area (or it's under 4m³ if it is)
- ✅ No Article 4 Direction applies
Tick all 7 and you can order without a planning application. NORDIC ticks the first four for everybody; the last three are property-specific checks you do yourself in 5-10 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for a wooden greenhouse in the UK?
Usually no, if you stay within Permitted Development limits: ridge under 3m (or 4m for dual-pitched), eaves under 2.5m within 2m of boundary, total outbuildings under 50% of garden, structure in rear/side garden (not front), house not Listed, and not in a Conservation Area. NORDIC's 2.30m ridge fits these limits comfortably for most UK domestic plots.
Can I put a greenhouse anywhere in my garden?
Almost, with three exceptions. (1) Not in the front garden (between house and road). (2) Not within 2m of a boundary if eaves exceed 2.5m. (3) Not exceeding 50% of total garden area when combined with all other outbuildings. Within those limits, anywhere in the rear or side garden is PD-compliant.
What is the greenhouse height limit in the UK for Permitted Development?
In England: 3.00m ridge for a single-pitched/flat-roof structure, 4.00m ridge for a dual-pitched (apex) roof. Eaves within 2m of any boundary cannot exceed 2.50m. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have similar but slightly different rules, so check your devolved planning portal.
Do I need permission for a greenhouse in a Conservation Area?
Yes, for any outbuilding over 4m³ in volume. A 3×2m greenhouse is ~14m³, so essentially any quality wooden greenhouse will need permission in a Conservation Area. The application is usually straightforward but does take 6-8 weeks. Check your council's planning portal for the specific Conservation Area rules.
What happens if I build a greenhouse without permission?
If a complaint reaches the council and the greenhouse breaches PD, you'll receive an Enforcement Notice giving you 28 days to remove it OR submit a retrospective planning application. Retrospective applications cost £206-£330 and have higher refusal rates than upfront applications. Not getting permission when you needed it is rarely worth the saved time.
How close to my fence can I put a greenhouse?
For PD purposes: any distance, IF the eaves are under 2.50m. NORDIC's eaves at ~1.85-2.00m means you can place it right against the fence and stay within PD. For practical reasons (assembly access, future maintenance, avoiding boundary disputes), leave 30-60cm clearance. Always check your specific boundary on the deed plan first; fences sometimes don't sit exactly on the legal boundary.
Does a Listed Building always need planning permission for a greenhouse?
Yes, and you also need Listed Building Consent (a separate application). The curtilage of a Listed Building is treated as part of the listing, so any structure in the garden affects the listed asset. Submit both applications together; the council usually processes them as one case.
How do I check if my property is in a Conservation Area or Article 4 Direction zone?
Most council planning websites have a postcode lookup tool that shows both. Search "[council name] planning constraints map" on Google. The information is also held by Historic England (England), Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw (Wales), or DfC Historic Environment Division (NI).
Next steps
Confident your plot is PD-compliant? Browse the NORDIC range: five sizes from £1,499, all with 2.30m ridge height that fits PD without applications.
Not sure? Drop us a question on +44 7861 751995 (voice + WhatsApp). We can usually advise from a quick description of your plot, plus point you to the right council pages to check for your specific situation.
For broader buying considerations, see our 9-step wooden greenhouse buying guide.
Five situations where permitted development never applies
The size limits above hold for most houses, yet certain locations and property types sit outside permitted development entirely. If any of these describes your plot, you will need to apply to your council before the greenhouse goes up, whatever its dimensions. These rules are for England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own, so check your local council if you are outside England.
| Situation | What it means for a greenhouse |
|---|---|
| Listed building (or its curtilage) | Any outbuilding needs consent, regardless of size. Source: Planning Portal. |
| Conservation area | A greenhouse to the side of the house needs permission. Source: gov.uk technical guidance. |
| National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Broads or a World Heritage Site | A greenhouse to the side of the house needs permission, and anything more than 20 metres from a house wall is capped at 10 square metres total. Source: gov.uk technical guidance. |
| Garden already more than half covered | Permitted development stops once buildings cover more than 50 per cent of the land around the original house. |
| In front of the principal elevation | You cannot place an outbuilding on land forward of the wall that usually faces the road. |
| Flats and maisonettes | Householder permitted development rights do not apply at all, so a planning application is the route. |
Two of these catch people out. Designated land does not ban a greenhouse, it simply moves a side-of-house position into application territory, and in a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Broads or a World Heritage Site it also caps any structure more than 20 metres from the house at 10 square metres. The 50 per cent figure counts existing sheds, extensions and hard standing alongside the new structure.
The two-minute check before you order
- Search your postcode on your council's planning map to see whether you sit in a conservation area, National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or other designated land.
- Check listed status on the Historic England National Heritage List, including any building whose curtilage your garden shares.
- Ask your council whether an Article 4 direction removes permitted development on your street, which happens most often in conservation areas.
- Add up what already covers your garden, then confirm the greenhouse keeps you under 50 per cent.
- If anything reads as borderline, apply for a Lawful Development Certificate so you hold written proof the build is lawful.
None of this is legal advice. When two boxes above look uncertain, a quick call to your local planning officer settles it in one conversation, usually free, before you commit to a delivery date.
