Planning
Do you need planning permission for decking?
Decking is permitted development if it stands no more than 0.3 metres (about a foot) above the ground and, with other extensions, covers no more than half the garden.
In short
In England, garden decking is permitted development and needs no planning permission as long as the deck stands no more than 0.3 metres above the natural ground level, and the decking together with other extensions and outbuildings covers no more than 50 per cent of the garden. Raised or elevated decking above 0.3 metres needs planning permission. On designated land or a listed property, check the position before you build.
The thresholds
Where the line sits
The 0.3 metre figure is the one that matters. A deck built at or just above ground level, the most common kind, is permitted development. The moment it becomes a raised platform above 0.3 metres, it needs a householder application, and that is true even in an ordinary back garden
| Note | Situation | Planning permission |
|---|---|---|
| Subject to the 50% garden rule | Deck up to 0.3m high | Not normally needed |
| Apply as a householder application | Raised deck over 0.3m | Usually needed |
| PD rights are restricted | Deck on designated land | Check first |
| Combined coverage counts | Within 0.3m but over 50% of the garden | Needed |
Source: Gardenscape. Figures as of 2026-06-01.
Yes, no, or it depends
Scenarios in plain language
At or below 0.3 metres it is normally permitted development, provided the combined coverage of all extensions and outbuildings stays under half the garden, and the property is not listed or on designated land.
Anything that creates a raised platform above 0.3 metres falls outside permitted development and will need a householder application.
Close to a watercourse or lake you may also need Environment Agency or landowner consent. We check this at the design stage.
The local layer
Designated land and Article 4
The 0.3 metre figure is the one that matters. A deck built at or just above ground level, the most common kind, is permitted development. The moment it becomes a raised platform above 0.3 metres, it needs a householder application, and that is true even in an ordinary back garden. The second test is coverage. All of your extensions and outbuildings together, decking included, must not cover more than half the garden of the original house. On a small plot this can be the limit you hit first. Near water, such as around the Cotswold Water Park, a raised waterside deck will usually need permissi
A note
General guidance, not advice. Rules vary by site, and Article 4 directions or conditions can change what applies. Check with your local authority and the Planning Portal.
- Source: Planning Portal: decking
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