Exempted Development
Works that may not need planning permission if they stay within the limits and conditions set out in the planning regulations.
Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations lists classes of exempted development — for example certain house extensions, sheds and minor works — each subject to conditions and limitations. Exemptions can be removed by planning conditions, protected-structure status or location, so they always need checking against the specifics.
Whether a job is exempt determines if it needs permission at all — which affects the timeline and whether it leaves a planning trail. Many small works proceed with no planning application.
Exempted works often won't appear as planning applications, but related activity can still surface as a commencement notice or be confirmed through a Section 5 declaration.
See it in live data
Common questions
Not necessarily — conditions and limits apply, and exemptions can be removed for protected structures or by prior planning conditions.
You can ask the planning authority for a Section 5 declaration.
Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations.
Related terms
This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Planning rules carry conditions and exceptions — always verify a specific case against the official source or a planning professional before acting.