Does a garage conversion always count as permitted development?

Only if it stays within the GPDO Class E limits for depth, height and boundary distance, the property isn't in an area with an Article 4 direction removing those rights, and less than 50% of the curtilage is already covered by extensions or outbuildings.

What if my property is in a conservation area?

Conservation area status tightens several permitted development limits, particularly for side extensions and roof work facing a highway. Use the checker below with your postcode - it flags conservation areas automatically.

Does converting a garage into a self-contained annexe count?

No — if the conversion creates a self-contained separate dwelling rather than extra space for the main house, it falls outside this permitted development right entirely.

Planning permission for a garage conversion on a terraced house

Under GPDO 2015 Schedule 2, Class E, many garage conversion projects on a terraced house qualify as permitted development if they stay within set limits. Enter your postcode and dimensions below for a verdict specific to your address.

Permitted Development & Cost Checker

England only. Takes about a minute.

Permitted development limits for a garage conversion on a terraced house

Internal conversion: A purely internal conversion (no enlargement, no external roofline change) doesn't normally need planning permission, but must still meet Building Regulations. Enlarging the garage or changing its roofline brings it under the outbuilding rules below instead.
Height: Up to 4m with a dual-pitched roof, 3m for any other roof — dropping to 2.5m within 2m of a boundary.
Position: Must be single storey and not forward of the principal elevation.
Curtilage coverage: Buildings other than the original house must not cover more than 50% of the curtilage.

Article 4 directions and conservation areas can remove or tighten these rights locally — checked automatically above. Always confirm with a Lawful Development Certificate before starting work.

Cost of a garage conversion by region

London South East East of England South West West Midlands East Midlands North West Yorkshire and the Humber North East

Planning fees by council

Fees and decision times for a garage conversion vary by council. Find yours below.

London

South East

East of England

South West

West Midlands

East Midlands

North West

Yorkshire and the Humber

Leeds Sheffield York Bradford Kingston upon Hull Wakefield Barnsley Calderdale Doncaster East Riding of Yorkshire Kirklees North East Lincolnshire North Lincolnshire North Yorkshire Rotherham

North East

Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland Middlesbrough Gateshead County Durham Darlington Hartlepool North Tyneside Northumberland Redcar and Cleveland South Tyneside Stockton-on-Tees

Rules version 2026.1 · last reviewed 2026-01-01