Do you need planning permission for a Juliet balcony?
Then make sure you know the rules before you do!
Any structural changes to your home, including a Juliet balcony, must be carefully planned in advance to ensure that they’re safe and comply with relevant laws and building regulations.
Unsure about next steps? Our expert advice page can help.
When do you need planning permission for a Juliet balcony in the UK?
While Juliet balconies do not typically require planning permission, there are some important exceptions, including:
The balcony includes a platform or walk-on area
If your balcony has a floor, deck, or platform that you can walk on, it will be classified as a full balcony and require planning permission.
Ask a team member about platform and swing open balconies. Contact us about customised designs.
Your property is listed
Listed buildings require listed building consent, and possibly planning permission as well, before any external changes to their outside appearance or structure can be made.
Your property is located in a Conservation Area or Protected Zone
Any property that’s located in a conservation area, a national park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or at a World Heritage Site is subject to stricter planning controls to help preserve an area’s character.
The balcony overlooks neighbouring properties
If your new balcony overlooks neighbouring gardens, windows, or living spaces, it may raise concerns about privacy. In those instances, it’s best to check before proceeding.
It alters the front elevation or character of the building
If the balcony would significantly change a building’s overall appearance, then planning permission may be required, particularly at a period properties or in uniform developments.
What is a 'permitted development'?
In the UK, you may need to apply to your local planning authority (LPA) before you make certain alterations to your property.
However, it’s not necessary to obtain planning permission for all alterations; some changes are classed as permitted developments, and don’t require formal permission providing they meet certain limits and conditions.
If your Juliet balcony doesn’t have any external access, or a platform, it’s likely to be classified as a permitted development and won’t require planning permission.
If you’re unsure, then it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.
Contact your Local Planning Authority for advice, and to confirm whether your proposed balcony falls under permitted developments or not.
Alternatively, you can learn more about permitted development rights, or start a planning application, on the Planning Portal website.
Juliet balcony building regulations explained
Even if your Juliet balcony doesn’t require planning permission, it must still comply with UK building regulations to ensure it meets relevant standards.
Make sure that you buy your Juliet balcony from an experienced and reputable supplier like C&R Direct for peace of mind that it’s been designed and manufactured to meet relevant Juliet balcony building regulations.
Park K of the UK building regulations, which focuses on preventing falls from height, is most relevant.
It says that your Juliet balcony must:
- Have a top barrier height of at least 1,100mm above the finished floor level
- Not have gaps between railings that exceed 100mm
- Not include any horizontal elements that could be used for climbing
- Use toughened or laminated safety glass (if it features glass panels)
- Be securely fixed to a structurally sound wall using suitable fixings and brackets
- Be able to withstand loads specified in BS EN 1991-1-1
If you require additional guidance, then get in touch with your local council’s Building Control team, or an approved private building inspector.
What happens if you install a Juliet balcony without permission?
Finding out early on in your project whether planning permission is required can save you from a headache in the future.
If you install a Juliet balcony without obtaining planning permission and then discover, at a later date, that permission was required, the problem can be expensive and time-consuming to resolve.
Your local planning authority could take one of several different actions. It could request that you:
- Apply for permission retrospectively
- Alter the balcony to meet regulations, or
- Remove the balcony entirely
Failure to comply with planning permission rules is a serious offence, and in extreme cases, you could even find yourself facing legal action – so it’s wise to double-check before you begin a project.
At C&R Direct, we’ve been producing premium products from our family-run workshop in Rochdale since 1989, and manufacture and supply a huge selection of high-quality Juliet balconies to suit any budget or requirement.
Ready to place your order? Call us today on 0161 241 9872.