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Common projects: Drains and Sewerage

Planning Permission

You do not usually need to apply for planning permission for repairs or maintenance on drainpipes, drains and sewers.

Occasionally, you may need to apply for planning permission for some of these works because your council has made an Article 4 Direction withdrawing permitted development rights.

Although the work itself may not require planning permission you should clarify ownership and responsibility before modifying or carrying out maintenance. Drains, sewers and manholes may be shared with neighbours or owned by the relevant water authority.

Failure to confirm these details or to comply with relevant standards/legislation could lead to legal and remedial action at your own cost.

If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant works whether internal or external.

Building Regulations

If you wish to repair or replace an existing drainpipe, manhole or associated fitting, approval under building regulations is not normally required if the replacement is like for like.

However, the provision of a new drainpipe, manhole or associated fitting will normally require building regulations approval.

They will apply to new rainwater or foul drains inside as well as outside the building. Building regulations also apply to all non-mains foul sewerage arrangements (such as septic tanks), including their outlets and drainage fields.

• Read detailed drainage guidance.
• Read more about rainwater drainage.