A well-designed porch is an excellent addition to the front of your home, or the side if that’s where your main door is. Porches add practical space, improve insulation and help with security. But before you start planning or building, it’s important to understand whether you need planning permission for a porch, whether in aluminium, uPVC, timber or other materials.
In many cases, porches fall within Permitted Development (PD) rights, meaning formal planning consent isn’t needed. But that’s not true for every property. Here is all you need to know about having a new front porch fitted so your project runs smoothly and right the first time.
When you don’t need planning permission for a porch
The advice is always to check with your Local Authority.
As long as adding your new porch falls within Permitted Development limits in most cases, you should not require planning permission. This will require the porch to:
- Not exceed 3 square metres or more than 3 metres above ground level.
- The porch is 2 metres or more from the main road or boundary
If your design stays within those dimensions and your home still retains full Permitted Development rights, planning permission for a porch is unlikely to be required.
When you do need planning permission for a porch
There are scenarios where Permitted Development rights won’t apply and you may need planning permission. Check with your local Authority, that:
- Your home is in a Conservation Area, National Park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Your property is a listed building – in which case, Listed Building Consent will also be required
- Your home has already been extensively extended, and your Permitted Development rights have been used up.
- The proposed porch doesn’t meet the size or boundary requirements.
Always check before proceeding — starting without permission when it is required can lead to enforcement action or costly changes.
Do you need Building Regulations Approval for a new Porch?
Porches are often exempt from Building Regulations, but only if specific criteria are met:
- The existing front door of the house remains in place (or is replaced with another external-grade door)
- The porch does not interfere with access requirements for disabled users
- Any electrical work or glazing complies with the relevant parts of the Building Regulations
If your porch includes electrics or glazing, those elements must be carried out by a Competent Person Scheme-registered installer who can self-certify and notify Building Control on your behalf.
Canopies, Porches and Planning Rules
There’s no question that a glass canopy roof above an existing front door looks modern and stylish. These are typically considered an architectural feature rather than usable or habitable space.
If you’re considering a porch canopy rather than a complete structure, the planning rules you’ll find are usually more flexible.
As long as the canopy doesn’t exceed the Permitted Development size limits, you should be able to add this without needing planning permission. Always check as it may depend on location, your house style and type.
How much does it cost to get planning permission?
From 1 April 2025, planning application fees in England will follow the updated regulations set out in ‘The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations 2012’, incorporating all amendments up to that date.
Fees must be paid at the time an application is submitted.
For householder applications, the fee for alterations or extensions to an existing single dwelling house (excluding flats) is £528.00. If the proposed works are within or along the boundary of the property (also excluding flats), the fee is £262.00.
If you’re unsure which fee applies to your project, it’s best to contact your Local Planning Authority for clarification.
A thank you for the images in this article, Courtesy of Newlite Home Improvements. Professional glazing installers and porch specialists, serving Sussex, Kent, South London and Surrey.
Final Advice from Door and Window Experts
A porch can be a simple, yet highly effective addition that adds space at the front of your home, can provide an extra security barrier and make your hallway warmer and more inviting. Planning permission for a porch should be straightforward, but don’t assume rules are the same for everyone.
Before starting your new Porch project, check the details with your local authority and always work with a professional installer. Ask us to put you in touch with the latest porch products from the proper suppliers. Contact us for more information and advice.
Planning permission for a porch: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need planning permission to add a porch to my house?
Not usually. Most porches fall under Permitted Development if they meet size and boundary rules and your rights are intact.
How big can a porch be without planning consent?
Your intended porch should be no more than 3 square metres in floor area, 3 metres in height, and 2 metres from any boundary that fronts a road.
Does a porch need building regulations approval?
Usually, you will not require Building Regulations unless you remove the existing front door or include electrical/glazing work. In this case, these must meet Building Regulations.
Am i allowed to to put heating in my new porch?
You can, although this will require it to be independent from the main heating system and you may need Building Regulations approval.
Is a canopy the same as a porch?
No. Canopies are architectural features rather than spaces in their own right.
Can a listed building have a new porch?
Not without Listed Building Consent.
