How close to my boundary can I build a garage?

Under permitted development you can usually build a garage close to a side or rear boundary — planning rules don't generally set a fixed minimum distance. The trade-off is height: within 2 metres of any boundary, the building's overall height must stay at 2.5 metres or under. Front boundaries are stricter, and local rules vary, so confirm with your local authority.

The rule that shapes most garage projects: if any part of the building sits within 2 metres of a boundary, its maximum overall height under permitted development is 2.5 metres. Further from the boundary, the limits relax — up to 4 metres for a dual-pitched apex roof.

This is exactly why prefab concrete garages are designed the way they are. Standard apex and pent roof garages are built to work within that 2.5-metre envelope, so they can sit along a fence line without triggering a planning application on height. It's also worth knowing that a concrete building is non-combustible — a genuine advantage when building near a boundary.

Front boundaries are treated differently. A garage that would sit in front of the principal elevation — the front face of your house — falls outside permitted development, and local policies on front-boundary setbacks vary from a few metres to considerably more. If the only workable spot is the front garden, expect to need a planning application, and talk to your local planning authority early.

The usual exceptions apply. In conservation areas, national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, permitted development is restricted and a garage may need permission regardless of where it sits. Listed buildings and properties whose permitted development rights have been removed by planning conditions are in the same position.

If any of those describe your home — or you're simply not sure — a quick check with your local planning authority settles it. For borderline cases, a Lawful Development Certificate gives you the answer in writing.

Often, yes — for practical rather than legal reasons. Our installation teams need working room to erect the panels, and you'll thank yourself later for space to reach gutters and the rear of the building for maintenance. It's also simple good manners to talk to your neighbours before a building goes up along a shared fence — it costs nothing and keeps the street friendly.

We install buildings on tight plots every week, so if you're unsure whether your spot works, ask — we've almost certainly handled a site like yours before.