Porches

Building a porch at ground level and under 30 square metres in floor area is normally exempt from the need for building regulations approval.

This is provided that glazing¹ and any fixed electrical installations² comply with the appropriate sections of building regulations.

For a porch to be exempt from building regulations approval:

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

Please note: The three square metres permitted development limit³ is separate from the 30 square metres referred to in the building regulations. The 30 square metres regulation is a blanket limit for extensions, this includes porches. For more details visit The Building Regulations 2010, Schedule 2, Class 7⁴.

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows/building-regulations
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/electrics/building-regulations-general-information
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/porches/planning-permission
4. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/schedule/2#schedule-2-part-7