Skip to content
Advertisement
Log in 
  • Do you need permission?
  • Planning
  • Building control
  • Services and information
  • England
  1. Welcome to Planning Portal
  2. Do you need permission?
  3. Common projects
  4. Additional storeys/Extending upwards
  5. Planning permission

Additional storeys/Extending upwards

Select...
  1. Planning permission
  2. Is building regulations approval needed for additional storeys/extending upwards?
  3. Building regulations: existing walls & foundations
  4. Building regulations: new internal elements
  5. Building regulations: fire safety
  6. Building regulations: stairs
  7. Building regulations: ventilation
  8. Building regulations: energy efficiency
Advertisement

Planning permission

Building an additional storey on to your house is considered to be permitted development (not requiring planning permission) subject to the following limits and conditions, and an application for the local authority’s prior approval.

If these limits and conditions are not met, then an application for Householder/Full Planning Permission will be required.

The current house:

  • Is not a building containing one or more flats, or a flat contained within such a building
  • Was constructed between 1 July 1948 and 28 October 2018
  • Has not already had additional storeys added to it
  • Is not on Article 2(3) land* or a site of special scientific interest
  • Was not changed to be used as a house (from a previous non-residential use) under permitted development rights.


Limitations on the proposed development:

  • Number of additional storeys:
    • One storey can be added to a single storey house
    • Two storeys can be added if the house has more than one storey.
  • Height increases:
    • The house cannot exceed 18 metres in total height
    • Each added storey cannot add more than 3.5 metres to the total height
    • If not detached (e.g. terrace or semi) the total height cannot be more than 3.5 metres higher than the next highest building that the house is attached to, adjoins, or is in the same row as.
  • The additional storeys must be constructed on the principal part* of the house
  • The additional storeys must not exceed 3 metres in height or the height of any existing storey in the principal part* of the house (measured internally from floor to ceiling)
  • Engineering operations must only include works within the existing curtilage of the house to strengthen existing walls and foundations
  • The materials used must be of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the exterior of the current house
  • Windows must not be placed in any wall or roof slope forming a side elevation of the house.


Following completion of development:

  • The house must remain in use as a domestic residential property
  • No visible support structures must remain on or attached to the exterior of the house
  • The roof pitch of the principal part* of the house must be the same as it was prior to the development.


Definitions

Principle part

The main part of the house excluding any front, side or rear extension of a lower height (regardless of these being part of the original house or subsequent additions).

Article 2(3) designated land

This is defined as land within:

  • a conservation area; or
  • an area of outstanding natural beauty; or
  • an area specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of enhancement and protection of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside; or
  • the Broads; or
  • a National Park; or
  • a World Heritage Site.

You can also always contact your local planning authority for further advice. Use our local authority search tool to find their contact details.

Find your local planning authority (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)

Find your local planning authority

Find a Trade Professional

Use our partner directories to find a planning or building professional to help with your project or development.

Find a professional (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional)

Find a professional


Useful links

Make an application (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/applications)

Make an application

Speak to an expert (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/planning-guidance-service)

Speak to an expert

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/home-improvement/planning-consultancy-calculator)

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator

Sell your site with Land Match (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/sell-your-site)

Sell your site with Land Match

      Disclaimer

      This is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information. Guidance is based on national rules, but additional local rules may also affect what permissions are needed. You should check if this is the case before applying or starting work.
      Guidance here relates to the planning regime for England, the policy in Wales may differ. If in doubt contact your local planning authority. Please note, local authorities may charge a fee for pre-application advice.
      Read our full disclaimer.


        • About the Planning Portal
        • Services and information
        • Help
        • Accessibility statement
        • Cookie notice
        • Website Terms and Conditions

          The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.

          The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.