Everything You Need to Know About Planning Permission for Pitched Roofs

If you want to do home improvement work, there are a number of regulations you need to be aware of. These include planning regulations.

Planning regulations are enforced by your local planning authority. If you want to alter or install a pitched roof you may need to apply for planning permission from your local planning authority. Read on to find out more about planning permission and if you need it for your pitched roof.

What’s Planning Permission?

Applying for planning permission is a process you might need to go through before doing some types of building work. You’ll need to make your application to your local planning authority.

Once your local authority has received your application, the first thing they’ll do is check if the work you want to do actually needs planning permission. If it does, they’ll look at national and local guidelines to help them work out whether to grant it to you. Whether you obtain planning permission or not could depend on the size, look, use and access of what you’re planning to build. Your local planning authority may also think about how it will affect others living in the area.

Do I need planning permission to change or install a pitched roof?

You don’t have to apply for planning permission to change or install a pitched roof on a house as long as:

  • Any alterations project no further than 150mm from the existing roof
  • No alteration is higher than the highest part of the existing roof
  • Side-facing windows in the roof are obscure-glazed
  • Any opening windows in the roof are 1.7m from the floor

You don’t have to apply for planning permission to alter or install a pitched roof on an outbuilding as long as:

  • The eaves are no higher than 2.5m
  • The roof is no higher than 4m

If you don’t want to adhere to these regulations then you’ll need to apply for planning permission.

good roofer slate
Image via Pinterest
If the building the roof is attached to is listed or on designated land then you’ll need to check with your local planning authority before going ahead, even if you’re planning to obey the above regulations. Designated land includes:

  • Conservation areas
  • National parks
  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  • World Heritage Sites

How can I apply for planning permission?

You can apply for planning permission through your local planning authority’s website. If you’re not sure who your local authority is, you can use the government’s handy tool.

So now you should know a bit more about planning permission and whether you need it for your pitched roof. Remember, it’s best not to start work on your roof unless you’re 100% sure you don’t need planning permission. If you’re not sure, you can contact your local planning authority for advice.

Evy Coe

Evy works for Quotatis as a Content Marketing Executive. She loves to write about interior design and help homeowners with their DIY projects.