Depth checker
How far can you extend at the back?
Answer five questions to see the depth your house can usually reach without a planning application, and when you will need prior approval or planning permission.
The rules in full
England
In England a single-storey rear extension can often be built under permitted development: up to 3 metres beyond the original rear wall of an attached house, or 4 metres on a detached house, no higher than 4 metres, with eaves no higher than 3 metres if any part is within 2 metres of a boundary.
A two-storey rear extension can be permitted development in England only if it projects no more than 3 metres, stays at least 7 metres from the rear boundary, matches the existing roof pitch and has obscure-glazed upper side windows. In practice most double-storey rear extensions go through a householder planning application.
Wales
In Wales a single-storey rear extension can often be permitted development if it projects no more than 4 metres beyond the rear wall and is no more than 4 metres high. Wales has no prior approval route for deeper extensions, so anything bigger needs a householder planning application.
In Wales a rear extension of more than one storey can be permitted development if the ground floor projects no more than 4 metres and the upper floor no more than 3 metres, with at least 10.5 metres to the rear boundary. It is not permitted development in conservation areas, National Parks or National Landscapes, so many double-storey schemes need a householder application.
Scotland
In Scotland a single-storey rear extension can be permitted development under Class 1A: eaves no higher than 3 metres and an overall height of 4 metres, and where any part is within 1 metre of a boundary it can project no more than 3 metres on a terraced house or 4 metres on other houses. The rights do not apply in conservation areas, and a building warrant is still needed before work starts.
In Scotland an extension of more than one storey is only permitted development (Class 1B) if no part is within 10 metres of any boundary and it is no higher than the existing house, so almost every two-storey rear extension needs planning permission and a building warrant.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 allows a single-storey rear extension of up to 3 metres on an attached house or 4 metres on a detached house, no higher than 4 metres, with eaves no higher than 3 metres within 2 metres of a boundary. Building control approval from the council is still required.
In Northern Ireland a rear extension of more than one storey can be permitted development if it projects no more than 3 metres and stays at least 7 metres from the rear boundary. Two-storey extensions in conservation areas, and most larger schemes, need planning permission from the council.
“Original” means the house as first built, or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (England, Wales and Scotland) or 1 October 1973 (Northern Ireland) if it is older.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is the checker a legal decision?
No. It summarises the national rules; your council decides, and we confirm the route at the free survey.
Where is the depth measured from?
From the original rear wall of the house: as first built, or as it stood on 1 July 1948 in England, Wales and Scotland, or on 1 October 1973 in Northern Ireland.
Does a conservation area stop all extensions?
No, but it restricts what can be done without planning permission. In England a single-storey rear extension of 3 or 4 metres can still be permitted development, but not the larger prior approval route.