What are the regulations on sleeping in a garden room
Can you sleep in a garden room? yes you can....but
We regularly get asked the same question, “Can i sleep in a garden room?”
Garden rooms have become the go-to solution for adding functional, stylish space to UK homes, serving as offices, gyms, studios, and more. But what about using one as an occasional or even full-time sleeping area? If you’ve been eyeing the idea of creating a guest suite or a personal retreat in your garden, here’s what you should know.
Questions that need answering
Planning Permission, Building Control or PD?
Fully Habitable or Occasional Use?
Planning Permission
Do i need it?
The first question is often around planning permission. Generally, garden rooms in the UK don’t require planning permission as long as they meet certain requirements, such as height restrictions (typically 2.5 metres). However, if your intention is to use the garden room as a sleeping space, it’s wise to check with your local council or one of our in-house planning experts. A garden room for sleeping may fall under the regulations for a habitable building, which could mean more stringent requirements, especially concerning insulation, fire safety, and drainage.
Fully Habitable vs Occational Use
When it comes to using a garden room as a sleeping space, there’s a significant distinction between a fully habitable space and one intended for occasional use.
Fully Habitable
A fully habitable garden room is designed and built to provide safe, comfortable year-round living conditions, much like a traditional home interior. If intended for regular sleeping or as an independent living space, it must meet stringent Building Regulations to ensure it’s safe, energy-efficient, and structurally sound.
Building Regulations: Must comply fully with UK Building Regulations, which cover thermal insulation, structural integrity, fire safety, electrical standards, and ventilation. For example:
Thermal Insulation: High insulation levels for walls, floors, and roofs are required to ensure year-round comfort and energy efficiency.
Electrical and Fire Safety: More extensive wiring and possibly fire alarm systems.
Ventilation: Mechanical or passive ventilation is required to prevent moisture and ensure indoor air quality.
Amenities: Often includes a bathroom or kitchenette, especially if used as a guest room or annexe.
Intended Use: Suitable for regular, prolonged overnight stays, such as for guests or as an annexe. This could mean sleeping, cooking, and living comfortably without needing to rely on the main house.
Due to its more permanent and independent use, a fully habitable garden room is likely to need planning permission to ensure it aligns with local regulations and isn’t considered a separate dwelling.
Occasional Use
A garden room intended for occasional sleeping is typically built with less extensive requirements, similar to other ancillary spaces like home offices or studios. It’s used primarily for activities other than sleeping, such as working or relaxing, but can be used sporadically for overnight stays.
Building Regulations: While it must still comply with safety standards for electrical work, structural stability, and basic insulation, the requirements are generally less rigorous than those for fully habitable structures.
Thermal Insulation: Basic insulation, sufficient for short stays, but might not be suited for prolonged overnight use in extreme weather.
Fire Safety: Basic requirements to ensure safety for short-term occupancy, but might not meet full residential standards.
Ventilation: Some ventilation is needed to prevent dampness, though less extensive than a fully habitable space.
Intended Use: Perfect for occasional, short-term overnight use, such as an extra room for guests a few nights here and there or for a cosy retreat.
A garden room for occasional sleeping use may not need planning permission as long as it fits within permitted development guidelines.
Building Control
Building Control ensures the building’s safety, functionality, and compliance with structural and health standards, regardless of whether it needs planning permission.
- Purpose: Guarantees that a building project meets essential standards for structural safety, insulation, fire safety, ventilation, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
- Process: Either the local authority or an approved private inspector reviews building plans and performs site inspections at various stages of the project to verify compliance with Building Regulations.
- When It’s Needed: When a garden room or annex exceeds 30sqm.
- Outcome: After inspections, a Building Control Completion Certificate is issued, certifying that the work meets regulatory standards. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines, mandatory modifications, or complications when selling the property.
Permitted Development
Permitted development rights allow certain minor home improvements to be carried out without the need for full planning permission. For garden rooms, this is often the route many homeowners take, as it streamlines the process and avoids extensive paperwork.
To qualify as permitted development, the garden room must meet the following criteria:
- Size: The structure should be no larger than 30 square metres in floor area if it is to be used for ancillary purposes only, not as a separate living area.
- Height:
- Maximum of 2.5 metres if within 2 metres of the property boundary.
- Up to 4 metres for a dual-pitched roof or 3 metres for other types if located further from the boundary.
- Usage: Permitted development covers uses ancillary to the main dwelling, like an office, gym, or studio. However, if you intend to use it as a separate sleeping accommodation (especially regularly), additional building regulations may apply.
Comfortable conditions
For a comfortable sleep environment, high-quality insulation is a must. Properly insulated garden rooms can maintain a steady temperature throughout the year, making them usable even in the UK’s colder months. Garden rooms built to high standards typically include double-glazed windows, insulated floors, walls, and roofing. With the right insulation, it’s possible to create a comfortable, draft-free sleeping area.
Garden Rooms and Annexes that you can sleep in
Safety and security
Safety is especially important if the garden room will host overnight guests. In addition to locks on windows and doors, consider external lighting and a reliable alarm system.
For rooms intended for frequent overnight use, you’ll also need to consider electrical regulations. As a habitable space, it must comply with Part P of the UK Building Regulations, ensuring that all wiring is safe and suitable for everyday use. All our garden rooms and annexes, no matter if they will habitable or not comply with these regulations.
Plumbing
If you’re aiming for a fully self-contained guest room, plumbing might be on your wishlist. Garden rooms can indeed include plumbing, allowing you to install a small bathroom or even a kitchenette, turning the garden room into a true independent living area. Of course, this step requires additional planning and consideration of waste disposal, drainage, and connections to your home’s main plumbing.
If you are not intending on having a fully habitable space but still require a small bathroom or kitchenette, this is still possible under permitted development rights.
So, can you sleep in a garden room? Yes, absolutely—but if you’re considering a garden room for regular use as a guest room or private retreat, take time to consider the requirements, especially if you want the room to be truly versatile.
