Do you need planning permission or building regulations approval for a veranda in the UK? A plain-English guide to the rules, size limits and exemptions, and how to get a definite answer before you buy.
A veranda is one of the easiest ways to get more use out of your garden. You get a sheltered spot for dining, relaxing or keeping the hot tub dry, and you can use your patio from spring right through to autumn. But before you order one, there's a question almost everyone asks: do you need planning permission for a veranda?
The honest answer is: sometimes, and it depends on how your council sees it. This guide explains the rules in England in plain English, what building regulations say, and the simple steps to get a definite answer for your home.
This guide covers England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules, so check with your local council if you live there.
In planning terms, a veranda is a roofed structure attached to the side or back of your house, usually open-sided and at ground level. Aluminium verandas like the Deponti Bosco fix to your wall at the back and stand on posts at the front, with a polycarbonate or glass roof.
That's different from:
Many home improvements are covered by permitted development rights, which let you extend your home without a planning application, as long as you stay within set limits.
The complication with verandas is that the rules for house extensions specifically exclude "a verandah, balcony or raised platform". The government's technical guidance describes a veranda as a gallery, platform or balcony, usually roofed and often partly enclosed, along the outside of a building at ground level. A raised platform is anything more than 0.3 metres above the ground.
In practice, councils don't all read this the same way:
That's why you'll see conflicting advice online. The safest approach is to check how your own council treats it before you buy (see How to get a definite answer below).
Where your council treats a veranda as a single-storey rear extension, these are the main limits in England:
Building regulations are separate from planning, and many verandas are exempt. Under the Building Regulations 2010, a covered way, carport or conservatory added at ground level is exempt if its floor area is no more than 30m².
That covers most Bosco sizes. For example:
The largest sizes, such as 7m × 6m (about 42m²), go over 30m², so check with building control before ordering.
A few other things to bear in mind:
If you're not sure whether your veranda needs permission, you have three options:
If you do need permission, a householder planning application usually takes about eight weeks for a decision. Speaking to your neighbours early always helps.
The size you choose makes the biggest difference. Staying within around 3 metres deep (semi-detached or terraced) or 4 metres (detached), at ground level and at the back of the house, keeps you in the most straightforward position.
That's one reason the Deponti Bosco is so popular. It's Deponti's best-selling veranda and comes in a sensible range of standard sizes:
The frame is powder-coated aluminium with a 16mm polycarbonate roof. You can choose your gutter style, post style, colour and roof glazing, so it suits your home. It's CE marked and comes with Deponti's 5-year warranty on the powder coating.
A quick note on measuring: a veranda's depth for planning is measured from your back wall to the furthest point, including the gutter. The Bosco's "3 metre" projection comes out slightly over 3m in total, so if you're relying on the 3m allowance, get in touch and we'll give you the exact figures.
Explore the full Deponti range, with free UK mainland delivery.
Can I put a veranda on the front of my house without permission?
Usually not. Anything forward of the front of your house, or on a side facing a road, normally needs a planning application.
Does a veranda count towards my extension allowance?
Yes. If you've already extended your house, a veranda added to that extension counts towards the same size limits, and towards the 50% coverage limit.
What happens if I build without permission?
Your council can ask you to apply retrospectively and, if it isn't approved, require you to change or remove the structure. It can also cause problems when you sell your home.
Do I need permission for a freestanding canopy or pergola instead?
Different rules apply to freestanding garden structures, so check the Planning Portal's guidance on outbuildings.
This guide is for general information and reflects the rules in England as published by the government and the Planning Portal. It isn't legal advice. Rules can change and every property is different, so always check with your local council before you start.
