Porch planning permission: When you need it — and when you don't

A red brick detached home with brick porch
(Image credit: Getty)

Porch planning permission might be a consideration if you aiming to add a new porch to your home in 2023. Most people in Britain regard a porch as a small room covering only the entrance area of a building, almost always outside the main walls of a house. That said, porches can be larger, sometimes wrapping around the sides of a building, or even the whole way around it.

There is no legal definition of a porch though. In planning terms, a porch can be regarded as a type of extension outside any external door of a building. 

Simon Rix

Simon Rix is a professional planning consultant, who began his career working in local government in the 1990s. He was a council officer and later an elected councillor, so he knows how the planning system works from both sides. He went on to set up Planix.UK Planning Consultants Ltd; a consultancy company that advises self builders, home extenders and those taking on small to medium-sized building projects on planning permission.

Read more
contemporary porch with wooden slatted overhang, slate tiles on floor, dark oak door and screen and black down and uplighters on cream rendered house exterior walls
26 beautiful porch ideas for an unforgettable entrance
A dark grey clad extension with two windows and beige render underneath and behind
Is extending to the front of a house ever a good idea? We look at how to carry out this project successfully
building inspector assessing work
Building regulations and the Building Safety Act: The ultimate guide
Exterior of house with bay window and for sale sign
What to know if you're thinking of buying a house without building regulations
A before and after of a modern-style self build home on a rural plot with countryside views
Your complete guide to self build: Part 1
Scaffolding around a red brick extension being built to the side of a house
Homeowners to benefit from relaxed planning rules if new bill passes
Latest in
Aerial view, Bourton on the Hill, Cotswold Hills, Cotswolds, UK
The 'Best Places to Live' in the UK in 2025 has been revealed
Sarah Beeny with her husband Gareth and their 4 sons sat un front of their white self build property and greenhouse in a large front garden
Sarah Beeny faces demolition order for £3million home after faltering in her latest planning application submission
A stone church with gated walkway to the front door and surrounding garden lawn
What kind of home could you create out of a former church? Here's your chance to find out
kitchen with sage green units, part marble effect tiled splashback, forest inspired wallpaper mural above, brass wall lights, black pendant lights, hob on worktop and kitchen accessories
Kitchen wallpaper ideas will change the way you view your walls. Here's 14 ideas to whet your appetite
A brick house with a big plastic shark sticking out the roof
The Shark House that sparked one of the most famous planning disputes in the country is now available to rent
young man struggles to pay bills
Soaring service charges leave flat owners struggling financially
Latest in Advice
Red brick detached house with double glazing and for sale sign in hedge
Selling and buying a house without a FENSA certificate — understand the rules on replacement windows and doors
A bright green septic tank emptying lorry in front of a house with solar panels on the roof
8 things to check when buying a house with a septic tank
workman working on boiler mounted on wall
Can you put a boiler in a loft? We take a look at the pros, cons, costs and more
Small grey decking area in garden on top of patio
Can you lay decking straight on concrete? When you shouldn't and when you can
A bright conservatory with sage green-framed windows and a glass roof lantern. Two striped wingback chairs with red-striped cushions face the open double doors, leading to a lush garden with purple flowers and rolling green fields.
The secret to keeping a conservatory cool — 7 simple fixes most people overlook
A white rendered detached house with a clay tiled roof and a green timber lean-to garage to the side
What is Passivhaus certification? Everything you need to know for your project