How close can I build to my neighbours boundary

Question

I'm thinking about extending out a little to the side of my house, but I'm a bit unclear on how far we can get to the boundary (where the fence is). Is the main thing that it can't extend beyond the ground floor and that the drainage needs to remain on our side?

Jason · Accepted Answer

Here’s the clear, no-fluff answer:

You can build right up to the boundary — there’s no fixed national rule saying you must keep a set distance.
But what you can build there depends on Permitted Development (PD) rules, Building Regulations, and the Party Wall Act.

Here’s the breakdown:

✅ 1. Under Permitted Development (no planning permission)

You can extend right up to the boundary, but only if:

The extension is single-storey.

The eaves are max 3m high when next to a boundary.

The overall height is no more than 4m (for pitched roof) or 3m (flat roof).

You don’t cover more than half the garden in new extension area.

Materials are “similar” to the existing house.

If your extension is two-storey, you cannot build right up to the boundary under PD — you’ll need planning permission.

✅ 2. Building Regulations

Building Regs don’t stop you from building on the boundary.
They mainly care about:

Fire resistance of the wall (boundary walls must be fire-rated).

Drainage staying fully on your land — you’re right about that part.

Access for maintenance — if you build on the boundary, you can’t rely on stepping onto your neighbour’s land later without their permission.

✅ 3. Party Wall Act

If you build On the boundary, or Up to 3m away and digging foundations deeper than their foundations you must serve Party Wall notices.

This is a legal process separate from planning permission.

🧭 Simple rule of thumb

Single-storey? Yes — you can usually build right on the boundary under PD.

Two-storey? Not allowed under PD. Needs full planning.

Drainage? Must stay on your land.

Gutters, fascias, overhang? Can’t cross the boundary line

I hope this helps!  Jason

Ben · Answer

Hi Monica usually legal requirements are 3 metres out also is the neighbour somebody you get along with or no thanks

Michael · Answer

The foundation toe and generally, the angle of repose cannot extend onto your neighbour's land without their permission, as this would be considered trespass.

. The "angle of repose" in construction refers to the natural angle at which loose materials like soil or gravel will settle. This should be on your property, which in turn allows for the angle of repose for the ground condition.

The only way to build right up to your neighbour's property would be to build it on a raft. In this instance, your gutter or any part of the build cannot extend over the boundary.

Ermal · Answer

it’s within 2m of the boundary, the eaves height can’t exceed 3m
Usually, you can build right up to the boundary, but you must stay on your own land — including gutters, foundations, and eaves.

Benjamin · Answer

Plan the design to allow for the outside edge of the guttering to be inside your side of the boundary line of your property, factor in privacy and overlook issues and accepted remedy and materials for privacy, talk to your neighbours involved and hopefully with respectful communication, acquire agreement/happy neighbours, if not and dealing with non rational people, use the correct building materials and practices to achieve goals and plans, and don't worry about Karen and ken that get in the way if that's what you are dealing with, keep your inner peace and harmony, and overcome the problems one step at a time and enjoy the achieved vision and right remedy for your property and family needs, all the best

Tomasz · Answer

In the UK, the rules for extending your property typically depend on local planning regulations and the type of extension you intend to build. Generally, for a single-storey extension, you can build up to the boundary line, but you may need to ensure that the drainage remains on your side and that the extension does not exceed the height limits set by local regulations. Additionally, it's important to check if you need planning permission or if your extension qualifies as permitted development.

Joe · Answer

1.5 meter from the boarder of your neighbours property

How close can I build to my neighbours boundary

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