Outdoor kitchens

Do you need building regulations approval for an outdoor kitchen?

Outdoor kitchens will often not require building regulations approvals unless they are particularly large or complex. If there are new foundations or electrical circuits, building regulations are likely to apply.

Foundations

If the kitchen requires foundations to be installed, either as part of an outbuilding or separately then building regulations will apply. Detailed information around foundations and their impact on the ground around them is available on our outbuildings common project page¹.

Electrics

An outdoor kitchen may include the installation of electrics such as a new lighting circuit. Where this is the case, it is important that work complies with building regulations.

It is common to use an installer registered with a competent person scheme who can self-certify compliance with the building regulations.

More detail around electrical work, how it should be completed and what is classed as ‘notifiable work’ is available on our electrics common project page².

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/outbuildings/building-regulations-foundations
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/electrics/building-regulations-general-information