Planning Permission for Sheds & Mobile Field Shelters | UK Guide 2025

If you’re thinking about adding a garden shed or a mobile field shelter, one of the first questions that comes up is: “Will I need planning permission?” This guide explains the current rules in England (as of 2025) in plain English, along with some practical tips from our installation work across Devon and Somerset.

The Short Answer

• Most garden sheds don’t need planning permission if they’re used for household storage or hobbies, fit within the size and height limits, and aren’t built in front of your house.
  

• Mobile field shelters on skids are usually treated as moveable buildings and often don’t require full planning, provided they remain mobile, aren’t connected to utilities, and are used simply as a shelter rather than a fixed stable.
  

• Local rules can vary, so it’s always best to double-check with your Local Planning Authority if you’re unsure. Find out more about planning permission requirements in your area here.
  

This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules may be different in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Garden Sheds: key rules to watch

• Height: Up to 2.5m if it’s within 2m of a boundary. Further away, you can go up to 4m for a dual-pitched (apex) roof.
  

• Overall size: Outbuildings plus any extensions should not cover more than half of the garden around the original house.
  

• Position: Sheds can’t be built in front of the main house.
  

• Purpose: They must be for normal household use (like storing tools, bikes, or hobbies). Garden offices are generally fine, but anything designed for living in is not.
  

• Design: Quality cladding (like shiplap T&G) and appropriate roofing (felt or EPDM) help keep the shed within limits while lasting longer.
  
  

Situations where permission may be needed:

• Plots with tight boundaries, where even a small shed could exceed height rules.
  

• Conservation areas, national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or listed buildings.
  

• Very large workshops or multiple outbuildings that take up more than half the garden.
  

• Raised bases that push the total height above the allowance.
  
  

Mobile Field Shelters: what counts as “mobile”

A field shelter is more likely to be considered mobile when:

• It’s built on timber or steel skids with towing eyes.
  

• It can be moved in one piece (for example, with a 4×4 or tractor).
  

• It has no permanent foundations and isn’t connected to services.
  

• It’s used for a temporary animal shelter, not as a permanent stable.
  
  

Signs that it may be classed as a permanent building:

• Bolting it down to concrete pads or fixing it to the ground.
  

• Adding hard standings, yards, or connecting utilities.
  

• Using it long-term as a fixed stable rather than a flexible shelter.
  
  

Practical Tips Before You Order

1. Sketch out your site - note distances to boundaries and other buildings.
   

2. Decide on a base early - the height is measured from ground level, so the type of base (slabs, timber frame, concrete, or ground screws) makes a difference.
   

3. Think about rain runoff - apex and pent roofs shed water differently, which can affect placement.
   

4. Plan delivery and access - consider gates, narrow lanes, and towing routes for mobile shelters.
   

5. Keep proof of mobility - if challenged, photos of the shelter being moved occasionally can help.
   

South West Considerations

Local ground conditions matter. In Devon and Somerset, clay soils and strong south-westerly winds mean that base type, orientation, and ventilation are important for keeping sheds and shelters dry and comfortable.

Next Steps

• Looking for a bespoke shed? Explore our Bespoke Garden Sheds for sizes, roof styles, and heavy-duty build options.
  

• Need a mobile field shelter? See our range of skid-mounted designs with anti-chew strips, kickboards, and partition choices.
  

• Still unsure about planning? Find out more about planning permission requirements in your area here.