5 July 2026 · Sharon Winson
Do I need planning permission for a concrete garage?
Most prefab garages under 30m² fall under permitted development. Here's what to check before you order.
In most cases, no — a prefab concrete garage does not need planning permission in England and Wales. Garages under 30 square metres (roughly 5.5m × 5.5m) that sit behind the front of your house and stay under the height limits are normally covered by permitted development rights, so you can order and build without applying for consent.
When you DO need to check first
There are exceptions where permitted development doesn't apply, and it's worth five minutes to rule them out before ordering:
• Your home is a listed building. • You live in a conservation area, national park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. • The garage would sit in front of the principal elevation (the front face) of your house. • Your home's permitted development rights have been removed by a planning condition — common on some newer estates. • The garage would cover more than half the land around the original house.
If any of those apply, contact your local planning authority before ordering. A Lawful Development Certificate is a cheap way to get certainty in borderline cases, and the government's Planning Portal has the official guidance on outbuildings.
Height limits to keep in mind
For a garage within 2 metres of a boundary, the maximum overall height under permitted development is 2.5 metres, which is exactly why prefab concrete garages are designed the way they are. Further from the boundary, you can go up to 4 metres with a dual-pitched (apex) roof, or 3 metres otherwise.
At Nucrete we've supplied over 1,100 buildings a year for decades, so whatever your situation, we've almost certainly seen it before. Ask us and we'll tell you straight whether your site needs permission.
What about building regulations and the base?
Planning permission and building regulations are two different things. A domestic garage that stays under 30 square metres, with no sleeping accommodation, is normally exempt from building regulations too, so most prefab concrete garages need neither. If you plan to convert it into a habitable room later, that's when regulations come in. Our guide to building a garage without building regulations covers the detail.
Whatever the planning position, every garage needs a flat, level concrete base. Positioning matters as much as size, so if you're building near a fence or wall, read how close to your boundary you can build before you order.
Planning permission questions, answered
How big can a garage be without planning permission?
In England and Wales, an outbuilding is normally covered by permitted development if it stays under 30 square metres (roughly 5.5m × 5.5m), sits behind the front of the house, keeps within the height limits, and doesn't cover more than half the land around the original house. Above 30 square metres you'll usually need to apply.
How high can a concrete garage be near a boundary?
Within 2 metres of a boundary, the maximum overall height under permitted development is 2.5 metres. That's why prefab concrete garages are designed to sit within it. Further from the boundary you can go up to 4 metres with an apex roof, or 3 metres otherwise.
Do I need planning permission on a new-build estate?
Sometimes, yes. Many newer estates have their permitted development rights removed by a planning condition, so an outbuilding that would be fine elsewhere may need consent. Check your deeds or ask the local planning authority before ordering.
What happens if I build without permission and needed it?
The council can ask you to apply retrospectively or, in the worst case, remove the building. It's not worth the risk when a quick check, or a Lawful Development Certificate in borderline cases, gives you certainty up front. If in doubt, send us your details and we'll help you work out where you stand.
Ready to look at buildings? Browse the concrete garage range, read the full concrete garage buying guide, or get exact prices for your postcode. Every price includes VAT, delivery and installation.