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Do you need planning permission to live in a shed?

Fortunately it is unlikely you will need planning permission, however there are a few exceptions. Sheds and summerhouses fall under the category of outbuildings; along with greenhouses, garages, kennels, sauna cabins, ponds, swimming pools and many other structures.

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Sheds and summerhouses are great additions to your garden, providing new rooms to your house and spaces to enjoy throughout the year. Whether you plan to use your shed or summerhouse as a studio, workshop, a space to relax in or as a traditional tool shed, it’s likely your structure will be larger than the average shed and you may worry that you need planning permission. Fortunately it is unlikely you will need planning permission, however there are a few exceptions.

Planning Permission for Outbuildings

Sheds and summerhouses fall under the category of outbuildings; along with greenhouses, garages, kennels, sauna cabins, ponds, swimming pools and many other structures. Planning permission isn’t needed for outbuildings as long as they meet a number of requirements such as: Outbuildings are a single storey, with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of 4m. Outbuildings must have a maximum height of 2.5metres if the outbuilding is within two metres of the house’s boundary. Outbuildings must not exceed 50% of the total area of land around the original house. All outbuildings, not just the new structure, must be included when calculating the 50% limit. The outbuilding is not being built ‘forward of the principal elevation’, ie it is not being built to the front of the house. The outbuilding is not being built on the grounds of a listed building.

The outbuilding is not being built on designated land.

These are the most pertinent requirements for sheds and summerhouses. The last point on designated land is especially important to our local customers: the Norfolk Broads are classed as designated land so if you are lucky enough to live nearby it is worth checking the interactive map on the Defra website to check if your home falls within the boundaries. See the full list of requirements for not needing planning permission here. We can help you design the perfect shed or summerhouse for your garden that abides by the rules so that you can avoid the hassle of obtaining planning permission. Our team of experienced craftsmen hand build each shed to order, building a unique and truly well made outbuilding. Get in touch for a free quote, call or fill in the form below!

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What is the best thing to use to level ground?

If you are leveling a small area, you can tamp the soil using your foot and the bottom of your rake. If you are leveling a large area, or it is especially important to keep the ground level (such as if you are building a structure), get a tamper or plate compactor to compact the soil.

This article was co-authored by Benjamin Hansen . Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification. This article has been viewed 1,187,097 times.

Article Summary

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To level ground, start by using strings attached to stakes set at the height where you would like the ground to sit to see how much dirt you will need to put down. Then, remove any existing grass from the area, and use a shovel to add an even layer of ground cover. Spread the material with a rake and use a level and measuring tape to check the grade of the land. Carefully tamp the soil down to make it flat, and let it settle for 2 days. For more tips, including how to regrow grass, scroll down!

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