Can you put a shed in your front garden?
Considering a shed for your front garden? While it may seem practical, especially for storage or quick access,
this location generally falls outside permitted development rights, meaning planning permission is typically required.
What are permitted development rights?
Permitted development allows homeowners to build certain structures, like sheds, without a formal application - but only if they comply with strict criteria.
These rights exclude buildings placed forward of the principal elevation of the house.
Why putting a shed in your front garden usually requires permission
Even if your planned shed meets size and position rules, front garden placement often breaches the permitted conditions:
Visibility issues: Front sheds can impact neighbourhood aesthetics.
Boundary constraints: Front gardens border public spaces, increasing potential impact on access and privacy.
Local restrictions: Conservation areas or councils with Article 4 Directions may deny permitted development rights in front gardens.
What do the experts say?
We’ve double-checked with our in-house garden planning experts at Dobbies and can safely say that a front-garden shed will need planning permission - this is to ensure it meets the rules and regulations of your area
In general, sheds aren’t permitted in the front garden or “forward of the principal elevation of your house.” This is basically the front wall of your house - the side that usually faces the road and contains your main front door and windows. Anything built forward of it means in front of that wall, closer to the street than the main face of your house. So, no building sheds (without proper permissions) on the side of your house that faces the road and has your front door on it.
You can put a shed in your front garden if you want to - but you’ll have to apply for planning permission to do so, and approval certainly isn’t guaranteed. Speak to your local planning authority if you want to give it a go.
Key rules for sheds (When NOT in the front garden)
If you want to put a shed in your back garden instead, there are still some rules. You can learn more in our guides to planning permission for sheds and having more than one shed, but these are the key essentials:
Height limits: Up to 4 m for a dual-pitched roof or 3 m for flat/pent designs; within 2 m of a boundary, max height is 2.5 m.
Max coverage: Outbuildings must not occupy more than 50% of the garden area.
Use: The shed must be non-habitable and “purely ancillary” - so used only for garden storage, workshops, or potting, for example. Home offices or spaces you want to use commercially - from pottery classes, to a full-time home office, to dog boarding kennels - technically need permission.
Next steps if you want a front-garden shed
Check permitted development rules - if your shed doesn’t comply with these (which it likely won’t, if it is going in your front garden), you'll need planning permission.
Consult your local planning authority - this is especially critical if you’re in a designated area or Conservation Zone.
Apply for planning permission, or consider a Lawful Development Certificate if you believe your project qualifies under permitted development.
Putting a shed in your front garden isn’t a simple project. It's generally outside permitted rights and does require planning consent. The good news? With the right guidance and local approval, it's certainly possible. Start with official regulations and reach out to your local council to find out exactly what you need to do.
Of course, once you’ve got your approval (or you’re just going for a classic rear location instead), don’t forget to take a look at the Dobbies range of garden sheds - from classic wooden and metal sheds to modern plastic and resin options, we can offer a wide selection with options for DIY self-assembly or even full build and installation service at point of delivery.