do i need planning permission for an conservatory and do i need to inform my neighbour of this.?

Question

the main part is approx 8 feet high excluding the roof, 15 feet wide and 14 feet long. the sun shines in our gardens for most of the day. would they have a problem with the consservatory blocking their sunlight

Answer 1

Most municipalities require a building permit to be taken out for any structure that is more than 100 square feet in area but that only applys to free-standing buildings. An addition to a home absolutely requires a permit. You will have to provide the building department with several sets of architectural drawings at the time of applying for the permit. Once those drawings have been examined and eventually approved, then the permit will be issued. You may also be required to provide an up-to-date survey of your lot, showing exactly where the house is and any other outbuildings.

You cannot begin construction until you have been given the permit. There are rules regarding what you can build. You must have a certain amount of distance between each side of the addition and the property lines at the rear and sides of your lot. Some municipalities will only allow you to build on a fixed percentage of the lot size. If your existing house has a "footprint" that takes up the entire allowable percentage, then your permit will be denied.

The issue about "blocking sunlight" may also come into play, depending upon the bylaws in place. You need to talk to your local building department FIRST in order to find out what they will allow you to do. Have them send a building inspector out to your home. There's little point burning up a bunch of cash making plans if the inspector takes one look and says "no way".

Answer 2

I believe you need planning permission...however with your neighbours...it is always polite to inform them although you dont need their permission...From what you tell me the conservatory will block their sunlight only at certain time of the day and not forever...so don't worry....but it's nice that you thought about them

Answer 3

First you need to check with your neighborhood covenants if you have them. Everything needs to be approved by them. If you do or don't you still need building permits or you are going to run into trouble. You can speak with your neighbor and should so as not to cause any anomousity if the sun is important to them on that side of their house. It's a nice thing to do.

Answer 4

you'll need a building permit, it's nice you think of you neighbors but you don't need permission from them if it's on your property.

Answer 5

probably