Do I Need Planning Permission For A Garden Room With A Toilet?

Having a garden room with a built-in toilet is very convenient, especially if you have a home business or entertaining regularly. But is it even allowed? Let’s find out. 

Installing a toilet in a garden room, considered an outbuilding in the UK, does not require special planning permission unless you live in a listed building, conservation area, or area of outstanding natural beauty.

However, your garden room and the toilet will still need to comply with building regulations laid out by the local council.

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Need a garden room specialist to help you plan a beautiful and yet practical garden space? Contact Palmako for a free consultation today to discuss how you can integrate a bathroom into your garden room. _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Garden room planning permissions

The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government provides homeowners with regulations for building within the boundaries of their existing properties. These regulations are referred to as permitted development rights and exist alongside other addendums, such as the neighbour consultation scheme. 

Permitted development rights

Permitted development rights allow homeowners to build certain structures without needing to obtain planning permission from the local council, and as long as the project does not infringe on neighbouring property. 

If your garden building complies with the following guidelines, you will not need to get planning permission for your garden room project.

• It is a single-storey structure.
  
  
• The height does not exceed 2.5m at the eaves and 4m for a dual-pitched roof.
  
  
• It is not in the front garden or beyond the principal elevation of your home.
  
  
• It does not cover more than 50% of your land (excluding the original footprint of your house).
  
  
• It is not a separate, self-contained living accommodation and does not have any microwave antenna
  
  
• Raised platforms and decking are less than 300mm high

Building regulations approval Approved Document G of the UK Building Regulations provides essential guidance on sanitation, hot water safety, and water efficiency in buildings. The document outlines requirements for the provision of adequate sanitary conveniences, including toilets, handwashing facilities, and drainage systems.

Garden rooms must still comply with these regulations to avoid contravening sanitation and public health and safety laws. The following provisions will apply to a garden room toilet, a garden office with a washroom, and a toilet or shower room.

• The provision of wholesome water to any washbasin or bidet adjacent to the toilet.
  
  
• The provision of hot water that meets appropriate temperature control and discharge arrangements.
  
  
• The provision of suitable handwashing facilities either in the same space or in a room adjacent to the toilet.
  
  
• The separation of the toilet from food preparation areas by a door.

While your dream garden room may not require planning permission, anyone working on your toilet will need to comply with building regulations as stipulated above, and it is your responsibility as the homeowner to ensure that they are certified to install plumbing and sanitation. 

Space considerations for the toilet

Designing a functional and compliant toilet area in your garden room should be on the list of every garden room builder. The minimum dimensions outlined below account for ease of movement, accessibility for all users, and enough space for people to use the facilities without feeling cramped.  

While planning your toilet area, bear in mind that proper ventilation and natural light are important considerations in a bathroom, especially if it is adjacent to a dining area, kitchen, or office space. 

Minimum size of a garden room with a toilet 

Calculation:

• Width: The toilet (700mm) plus side clearance (400mm) results in a total width of 1100mm.
  
  
• Depth: The toilet depth (1300mm) plus front clearance (600mm) results in a total depth of 1900mm.

Based on these calculations, you would need a minimum of 1100mmx1900mm (2m²) of your garden room for the toilet. 

Other examples of floor space allocation

Size requirements are not the only consideration you should have when it comes to planning your garden room with a toilet. A high-quality, durable garden room that can be altered according to your requirements is a must. Palmako, one of the UK's leading wood cabin manufacturers, provides highly customizable self-assembly kits.  

Bryan Langston, from the popular YouTube show "Living Big in a Tiny House" recently demonstrated how he adapted one of Palmako’s cabins to meet the unique needs of his build. 

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Explore Palmako Garden Rooms to see the available designs and start planning your ideal garden room with the right dimensions and features.

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Types of toilets suitable for a garden room

Mains-connected toilet

This traditional toilet is connected straight to the property’s existing sewage system or private septic tank. Most garden rooms will be in close proximity to the main system, but you will need to check with a plumber about the installation process. 

Waste and wastewater are carried away using gravity-fed drainage pipes, which must meet the requirements of Part H (Drainage and Waste Disposal) of the Building Regulations.

Technical specifications

Choosing your garden room is about more than meeting height and space requirements. If it is your intention to install a toilet from the beginning, then plan for water supply lines, as well as plumbing and electrical work, while you pick your dream garden room. Flag the following for attention:

• Gradient: Ensure the waste pipes have the correct gradient (typically 1:40 or 1:80, depending on the pipe diameter) to allow smooth flow and prevent blockages.
  
  
• Distance from Sewer Connection: The farther the garden room is from the main sewer, the more complex and costly the installation.
  
  
• Ventilation Stack: A vent pipe or air admittance valve (AAV) may be necessary to prevent siphoning of water from the toilet trap, ensuring effective drainage.

This type of toilet is suited for a garden home that is near the existing plumbing network, providing a traditional toilet set up without the need for additional waste management. 

Composting Toilet

These toilets collect waste in a chamber, where it is then broken down into organic material through natural processes, including heat, bacteria, and aerobic decomposition. They require no connection to the main sewer or water supply, making them ideal for off-grid garden rooms.

Technical specifications

Composting toilets have their own unique requirements because they are not connected to the sewage system. So although garden buildings are possibly one area where you can get away with installing a composting toilet, you will need to take the following into account:

• Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential to control odors and maintain aerobic conditions for composting.
  
  
• Liquid Management: Investigate the type of composting toilet you want, for instance, some separate liquid waste for easier processing while others do not. 
  
  
• Capacity: Choose a model that matches the expected usage frequency. Larger capacity units are better for higher use.

An alternative to a composting toilet is a saniflo toilet. These toilets grind waste into a slurry, which is then pumped through small diameter pipes into the main sewage system. They are ideal for areas where standard plumbing isn’t feasible. 

Will you need planning permission for a garden room with a toilet?

You will not need planning permission for the majority of garden rooms as long as it follows the minimum guidelines provided for permitted development rights and is only for personal or home business usage. Even if you do not need planning permission, the garden room with a toilet must still adhere to building regulations, such as those laid out in Approved Document G. 

When it comes to choosing the right type of toilet for your needs, most people install either a mains-connected toilet (good if the garden home is close to the main sewage system) or a composting toilet (good if you want an eco-friendly, waterless system). 

Whatever your choice, it’s important to spend some time planning the size and layout of the garden home you want so that you can incorporate a toilet without extensive alterations. 

If you’re ready to design the perfect garden room to meet your needs—whether it’s for a cozy office, a family retreat, or a fully equipped garden bar with a toilet, Palmako is here to help you achieve your goals. With customizable, high-quality garden room kits, you can create a space that fits both your style and functionality. 

Contact a Palmako consultant