Questions to Ask About Shed-Fence Distance Requirements

There are several important factors to consider when building a wooden shed. One of the most important considerations is whether you intend to build it next to a fence.

Building a new shed in your backyard can be a thrilling experience. However, before you do so, you should conduct some research and ensure that you understand the law regarding positioning.

To avoid fines resulting from boundary disputes, you must follow specific planning laws. So, in this post, we'll go over building codes and how far a shed should be from a fence. Let's get this party started.

Important takeaways:

• There are a few limitations to consider when building or installing a new outdoor structure in your garden space. These can apply to a garden shed, a log cabin, or a summer garden house.
• These limitations are frequently imposed by your local government. And, depending on where you live, these development regulations govern where you can put your building.
• These rules cover your home's proximity, your fence line, and other existing structures in your neighborhood.

Photographer: Flickr, Usually Melancholy

Making Room for Your Garden Shed

It's a good idea to leave some space around your shed. For one thing, keeping the building off potentially damp-collecting surfaces can help it last longer.

Second, if you need to do some repairs in the area, it can be difficult if you don't have enough space to work in. Finally, doing so ensures that you're ready for whatever you intend to do with it in the future.

Consider doing some maintenance on your shed and not having enough space to work in. Perhaps your shed is too close to the fence, leaving you no room to maneuver around it. That sounds dreadful, doesn't it?

Keeping this in mind, experts advise leaving at least 24 inches around the perimeter of your shed. Plus, with 2 feet to spare, any future changes or modifications to the shed will be simple.

Photographer: Pxhere

Constructing Your Outdoor Structure Along the Fence

In some cases, it may be tempting to disregard the legal requirements for building your shed. For example, if your current neighbor is fine with your shed along the property line.

Again, ignoring these planning development rights will not benefit you in the long run. This can result in penalties that vary depending on your local council.

In most cases, the fine will include a legal order to remove the shed from its current location. Attempting to install your shed right along the fence may also result in neighbor disputes.

Either your outdoor structure or your house boundary could be exceeded. Or your future neighbor may object to the shed being there.

Both can result in conflict. Aside from having your shed removed from its location, the next thing you don't want to happen is for there to be disagreements between neighbors.

As a result, it's best to adhere to local building codes and place your shed where it belongs. This will help you save time and money, as well as maintain a positive relationship with your neighbors.

Top tip: Check with your local planning authority (LPA) to determine the code requirements for your shed.

Photographer: Pxhere

Why can't sheds be constructed next to a fence?

Only property law can provide an answer to this. However, in general, it is to avoid infringing on another's property.

Building a large structure, such as a shed, too close to theirs, for example, may prevent them from doing what they want on their properties. At the end of the day, homeowners, including you as a building owner, must work around it in order to comply with the law.

Photographer: Rawpixel

How Close to the Fence Can You Build Your Shed?

If you are considering purchasing a shed, you should consider its proximity to the fence line. A fence line may not appear to be a big deal at first, but if ignored, it may cause problems in the future.

This is why it is critical to take planning and building approval seriously. This includes your neighbors as well as the security of your shed.

So, how close to a fence can a summer house be? As previously stated, the distance and boundary fence will be determined by the area in which you live.

In some areas, you can build as close to your property line as four feet. In some cases, your LPA may request that you keep your shed 10-15 feet away from your fence.

In general, you should leave at least 5 feet between the far edge of your shed and the fence. We also recommend double-checking your city code to see if additional distance is required in your area.

Distance between the shed and the fence line

Local governments impose restrictions on the proximity of your shed to your home. This can have an impact on the fence line and any existing structures in your backyard.

In addition to the planning regulations, if your shed is too close to a fence, it will be unable to breathe. As a result, damp may accumulate, both on the structure and on the fence.

As a result, it's best to leave a space or development allowances for both to breathe.

Top tip: If you're worried about potential problems or can't afford to place your shed far enough away from the fence, here's what we recommend. It may be prudent to choose a pressure-treated shed to reduce the effects of damp and mould.

When it comes to shed and fence line distance, consider the following factors:

• Should you build a garden shed?
• Dimensions and materials
• Foundation
• Positioning and accessibility
• Your next-door neighbors

Should you build a garden shed?

Unlike the required distance between your shed and your fence, there are no restrictions on how high your building must be off the ground (as long as the overall height adheres to planning restrictions).

This means you have some leeway in terms of personal preference when it comes to a shed foundation. In fact, many experts advise homeowners to consider how high they want their sheds to be off the ground.

For one thing, raised sheds have much better air circulation than those that are directly on the ground. Furthermore, this can shield the structure from harsh weather conditions like heavy rains, which cause dampness and pooling water.

Raising your shed also prevents water ingress from deteriorating your foundation over time. And, because proper ventilation is essential in all sheds, you already know what to do.

Dimensions and materials

Some housing estates have strict rules about the materials used for cladding on extra structures. This is due to the consistency they maintain throughout the estate.

For example, if you live in a gated community, you should first get confirmation from an estate agent about what you can and cannot do.

Flickr user Henry Burrows provided the image.

Foundation

Even if the ground is level, a foundation is recommended for all garden structures. A concrete foundation is recommended for any building larger than 68 feet in length, including sheds.

Wooden bearers are a low-cost shed base solution. They can, however, rot and decay over time.

Look for a solid, impermeable concrete or plastic foundation. You should also ensure that the surface or ground on which your shed is built is level.

This will keep the shed stable and ensure that the doors open and close properly. It will be much easier to level your shed with a suitable base than if you place it directly on the ground.

BillyOh Keeper Apex Shed Overlap

Positioning and accessibility

A garden shed should be placed near a paved path so that it is easily accessible. This also means that the structure is not too close to areas where rainwater is likely to collect.

Aside from keeping it away from the fence, keep your shed away from large trees. Growing tree roots may cause the floor to buckle, destroying the foundation of your shed over time.

Wikimedia Commons is credited with this image.

Your next-door neighbors

Always think about how any new addition to your property might affect your neighbors. Current neighbors may approve of the new shed, but future neighbors may not.

When deciding how close to the fence to place garden buildings, it's best to avoid putting them too close to any boundary lines. Also, do not use the shed to replace a section of fencing.

In conclusion

So, how close to the fence can you build your shed? We recommend contacting your Local Planning Authority for specific measurement and council requirements. For reference, you can look at this planning permission.

Once you've determined the best location, it's time to paint the shed.

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