Permitted development
For a house in England, panels are permitted development if they meet these limits (Planning Portal, from 27 August 2026):
- Pitched roof: no higher than the highest part of the roof (not counting the chimney), and sticking out no more than 200mm from the roof slope.
- Flat roof: no more than 600mm above the highest part of the roof.
- Walls, balconies and roof enclosures: no more than 0.2m out from a wall that faces a road, or 0.4m elsewhere.
- Panels are placed, as far as practical, to keep their effect on the look of the building and the area to a minimum.
- Panels are removed when they're no longer needed.
On a flat roof in a national park, the Broads, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a conservation area or a World Heritage Site, you need prior approval from the council first.
A project that meets the old rules but not the new ones can still use the old rules for 12 months, until late August 2027 (Planning Portal).
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules. Check with your council's planning team.
Listed buildings
Permitted development doesn't cover panels on a building within the grounds of a listed building, or on a scheduled monument site. You'll need to apply.
If your home itself is listed, you'll almost certainly need listed building consent as well. Speak to your council before you book any work.
Conservation areas
Rooftop panels are usually still permitted development in a conservation area or World Heritage Site. The difference is that panels can't go on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure that faces a road, and flat-roof panels need prior approval.
Some councils remove permitted development rights in parts of a conservation area, so check with yours before you go ahead.
Flats
Blocks of flats have their own permitted development rules. Panels on a pitched roof can't go above the highest part of the roof and can stick out no more than 200mm. On a flat roof, the 600mm limit applies. The listed building and conservation area limits are the same as for houses.
If you own a flat on a lease, the roof usually belongs to the freeholder. You'll need permission from your landlord, freeholder or management company before anything is fitted.
Plug-in kits in England can't go on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure, or anywhere clad in timber. See plug-in solar explained.
Sources and dates
We checked every figure on this page on 4 November 2026. If a source changes, we update the page and the date at the top.
- Solar equipment on a house, a block of flats or a building (England), Planning Portal. Rules in force from 27 August 2026
- Changes to permitted development rules for domestic solar installations, Planning Portal. 28 August 2026
Questions
Do I need to tell the council about solar panels?
Not if they're permitted development, except on a flat roof in a protected area, which needs prior approval. If you're unsure, ask your council's planning team before work starts.
Do the new rules apply in Wales or Scotland?
No. These are England's rules. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own, so check with your council.
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