Planning permission for a domestic carport in England is usually unnecessary when the carport qualifies as permitted development. The rules cover its position, height, size and use. For example, a detached carport may have an eaves height of no more than 2.5 metres. The answer can change if the carport is attached to the house, sits in front of it, or is on a listed or designated property.
Check the rules in force on ****.
Carport Planning Permission: At a Glance
| Proposed carport | Planning position in England |
|---|---|
| Detached carport behind the principal elevation | Usually permitted development if all limits are met |
| Attached carport | May be permitted development, but different rules apply |
| Carport in front of the principal elevation | Planning permission is normally required |
| Carport within the grounds of a listed building | Planning permission is required for an outbuilding |
| Carport on designated land | Tighter restrictions apply |
| Carport affected by an Article 4 Direction or planning condition | Planning permission may be required |
| Carport for a flat or maisonette | Householder permitted development rights generally do not apply |
When a Detached Carport Usually Does Not Need Planning Permission
A detached carport usually does not need planning permission if it qualifies as an outbuilding under Class E permitted development rights. Every condition below must be met:
- It must not be positioned forward of a wall forming the principal elevation of the original house.
- It must be single-storey.
- Its maximum eaves height must be 2.5 metres.
- Its maximum overall height must be 4 metres with a dual-pitched roof.
- Its maximum overall height must be 3 metres with any other type of roof.
- If any part is within 2 metres of the property boundary, its maximum height is 2.5 metres.
- It must not include a veranda, balcony or raised platform.
- The total area covered by extensions and other buildings must not exceed 50% of the land around the original house.
- It must be used for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the house, such as parking a private vehicle, rather than as separate residential accommodation.
The 50% calculation includes existing and proposed extensions, garages, sheds and other outbuildings. It does not mean that the carport itself can cover half of the garden.
Does an Attached Carport Need Planning Permission?
An attached carport may be permitted development, but it is assessed under different rules from a detached carport.
An attached structure usually falls under the rules for enlarging or altering the house, generally Class A, rather than the outbuilding rules under Class E. The proposal may therefore be affected by restrictions on its projection, width, height, roof and position against the house.
Do not assume that an attached carport is permitted simply because it is open-sided. Planning Portal guidance states that an attached carport may not normally need building regulations approval when it is open on at least two sides and no more than 30 square metres. Building regulations approval and planning permission are separate matters.
When Planning Permission Is Likely to Be Required
Planning permission is likely to be required if any of the following apply.
The carport is in front of the principal elevation
An outbuilding is not permitted development when it is placed forward of a wall forming the principal elevation of the original house.
The carport exceeds the height limits
A roof above the permitted height, or a structure within 2 metres of a boundary that exceeds 2.5 metres, will normally fall outside permitted development.
The 50% coverage limit is exceeded
Existing extensions and outbuildings count towards the total area covered around the original house.
The property is listed
An outbuilding within the grounds of a listed building is not permitted development under the relevant guidance. Listed building consent may also be needed, depending on the effect of the work on the listed building or its setting.
The property is in a protected or designated area
National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites have extra restrictions. For example, an outbuilding to the side of a house on designated land generally requires planning permission.
Permitted development rights have been removed
A local planning authority can restrict permitted development rights through an Article 4 Direction or a condition attached to an earlier planning permission.
The building is used as accommodation
A carport cannot rely on outbuilding permitted development rights if it is designed or used as a separate self-contained home.
Does the Driveway Need Separate Permission?
A driveway can need separate permission even when the carport does not. A new hard surface in front of a house may be permitted development, but where it covers more than 5 square metres, it must generally be porous or designed so rainwater drains to a permeable area within the property.
A new vehicle access across a pavement may also need separate approval from the local highway authority. Check this with the council before constructing a dropped kerb or changing the access.
Planning Rules Differ Across the UK
These rules apply to England.
Wales has different permitted development rules, including different treatment of outbuildings and volume limits. Scotland has separate rules for garages and similar buildings, including requirements relating to the rear of the house, the rear curtilage and boundary distances. Northern Ireland has its own planning system.
How to Check Before Building
Before ordering a carport, check:
- Whether it is attached or detached.
- Its distance from the house and property boundaries.
- Whether it sits in front of the principal elevation.
- Its eaves and overall height.
- The area already covered by extensions and outbuildings.
- Whether the property is listed or in a conservation area.
- Whether an Article 4 Direction or a previous planning condition removes permitted development rights.
- Whether the driveway or vehicle access needs separate approval.
If the design appears to qualify as permitted development, you can apply to the local authority for a Lawful Development Certificate. This is not the same as planning permission, but it provides formal confirmation that the existing or proposed work is lawful.
Final Answer
If the carport fails any permitted development condition, or the property's permitted development rights have been removed, treat the project as one that needs formal planning advice. Where the position is close, apply for a Lawful Development Certificate before construction. If the design falls outside permitted development, use the local authority's planning application process.