Porch Planning Permission

Thinking about adding a porch? It’s a simple upgrade that can make your entrance feel more welcoming and practical. ​​Before you start sketching designs or asking builders for quotes, stop and ask yourself one thing: do you need planning permission for a porch?

For many homes, small porches are usually allowed without any red tape. There are limits, though, and larger projects or homes in special locations may still need council approval. Let’s look at what you need to know before you start planning.

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Porch?

Most small porches do not require planning permission thanks to permitted development rights. 

If your planned porch is modest and meets certain limits that we outline right below, it’s automatically allowed. You won’t need to submit a planning application in that case. 

However, larger porches or special situations do need permission. For example, if you want a big front entrance extension or your home is in a protected area, you’ll likely have to apply for consent.

Most councils aim to decide a householder application in about eight weeks, so if your porch does need permission, be prepared to factor this delay into your plans.

When Porch Planning Permission Is Not Required (Permitted Development)

You can build a porch without planning permission as long as it falls under the UK’s permitted development rules for houses. Permitted development rights apply to houses only, not flats, or homes created under certain change-of-use rules. In conservation areas, these rights can be restricted, so always confirm with your local planning authority. The key criteria are:

• The porch’s ground floor area, measured externally, must not exceed three square metres.
• The highest point of the porch (like the roof apex) can be up to three metres tall, but no higher.
• If the porch is within two metres of a road or pavement, permitted development usually will not apply. A house with no front garden may not be able to add a porch under these rules, since it would sit right at the pavement.

Think of it this way: if your porch is small enough to act more like a sheltered doorway than a full extension, you’re usually safe under permitted development. 

Definition: What Counts as a Porch?

A porch is a small covered area attached to an outside door, often enclosed with its own walls, windows, and a separate door. It gives you a sheltered spot to step into before entering the main house.

Planning rules don’t give a strict definition of a porch. Instead, they set size thresholds. Stay within those, and it’s treated as a porch. If you remove the original front door and join the porch to your hallway, it becomes an extension. At that point, full building regulations apply.

Building Regulations vs. Planning Permission

Planning permission and building regulations are often confused, but they cover different things. Planning deals with whether you can build, while building regulations cover how it’s built.

A small porch that fits within permitted development rules usually avoids planning permission. That doesn’t mean you can forget about building regulations, though. Any glazing must meet current energy efficiency and safety standards. 

Electrical work must comply with Part P. Notifiable work should be done by a registered electrician or notified to Building Control. Minor, non‑notifiable work can be done by a competent person.

If you remove the inner door and the porch becomes part of the hallway, it no longer counts as a separate porch. In that case, the whole structure must follow full building regulations.

How Much Does Porch Planning Permission Cost?

In England, the fee for a householder planning application is £528 as of April 2025. A Lawful Development Certificate, an optional document confirming that your porch is lawful under permitted development rules, costs half at £264. Fees in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland vary, so always check with your local authority.

Besides the application fee, there are other potential charges to budget for:

• Architect or design fees if you need drawings or plans to submit with the application
• Consultant or structural reports if your porch touches or alters structural walls
• Building Regulations fees if your porch requires formal approval under those rules
• Inspection and compliance costs if your local authority charges for inspections or certifications

As for the porch itself, a typical three-metre build usually costs between £4,000 and £5,000 in the UK. A straightforward brick design tends to sit at the lower end of that range, while bespoke or highly finished porches can double the cost.

What to Do Next?

If you’re considering adding a porch, here are some of the next things you are going to want to do.

• Double-check the rules of your situation. Try using the Planning Portal’s interactive guidance or call your local authority about your porch. Do this especially if you live in a listed building or conservation area.
• Even when no planning permission is needed, some homeowners choose to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate for peace of mind and fewer questions from their neighbours. It also provides useful evidence of compliance when you come to sell your home.
• Sketch out your porch design within the allowed dimensions. Keep the original front door in place if you want your porch to avoid full building regulations.
• Start getting quotes from builders or porch suppliers, and think about how you’ll cover the costs. If you’re budgeting, consider savings or other payment methods. If you later explore porch financing, use an FCA‑authorised lender and compare total costs.

So, do you need planning permission for a porch? Often, the answer is no, but it depends on size, location, and the character of your home. 

Stay within the limits, and you can usually build without hassle; step beyond them, and a quick chat with your council is the safest route. Either way, the right porch can make your entrance more welcoming and add a touch of everyday convenience.

Quick FAQs

Still unsure about details? Here are some of the most common questions homeowners ask when planning a porch.

Does a Porch Add Value to Your House?

A porch can improve kerb appeal and add useful storage, which many buyers see as a plus. The effect on value, however, varies by location, property type, and design quality.

What Are Two Ways You Can Avoid The Need For Planning Permission?

The simplest way is to keep your porch small enough to fall under permitted development. The other is to confirm your home isn’t subject to extra restrictions, as listed buildings and conservation areas often remove these rights.

How Big Can a Porch Be Without Planning Permission?

Typically, for houses, you can build a porch up to three square metres measured externally and up to three metres high without planning permission. Anything larger will usually need planning permission. However, it’s best to double-check with your local council since rules can differ by area.

Is a Front Porch Permitted Development?

Yes. A front porch on a house is usually permitted development, meaning no planning permission is required, provided it meets the standard limits.

Can You Build a Porch Within Two Metres of a Boundary?

If the boundary faces a road or footpath, no, that requires permission. Boundaries shared with neighbours are treated differently, and porches close to them are usually fine.

Can You Build A Porch On A Listed Building?

If your home is listed, you’ll need formal consent before adding a porch, no matter how modest the design. The council will expect the materials and style to complement the historic character of the property, and proposals are judged carefully against conservation standards. 

Skipping this step risks enforcement action, so the safest first move is to speak with your local conservation officer before drawing up plans. 

Do You Need Building Regulations for a Porch?

Not always. If your porch is small, at ground level, and you keep the original front door in place, you usually won’t need full building regulations approval. The rules still apply to glazing and electrics, which must meet safety standards. 

If you remove the front door or open the porch into your hallway, it’s classed as an extension and full building regulations approval will be required.