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Common projects: Porch

Planning Permission

The planning rules for porches are applicable to any external door to the dwellinghouse.

You need to apply for planning permission when:

  1. the ground floor area (measured externally) would exceed three square metres.
  2. any part would be more than three metres above ground level (height needs to be measured in the same way as for a house extension).
  3. any part of the porch would be within two metres of any boundary of the dwellinghouse and the highway.

Building Regulations

Building a porch at ground level and under 3 square metres in floor area is normally exempt from the need for building regulation approval.

This is provided that glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the appropriate sections of building regulations.

For a porch to be exempt from building regulations approval:

  1. the front entrance door between the existing house and the new porch must remain in place
  2. if the house has ramped or level access for disabled people, the porch must not adversely affect access.

Disclaimer: this is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information. Read the full disclaimer here.

NOTE: This guidance relates to the planning regime for England. Policy in Wales may differ. If in doubt contact your Local Planning Authority.