Regulations & Safety
Do I Need Planning Permission for an EV Charger?
In most cases, no — a home EV charger is permitted development. Here are the conditions and the few exceptions.
By Steels Electrical · 4 June 2026 · 3 min read
The short answer
In most cases you do not need planning permission to install a home EV charger — it is usually permitted development. The main conditions are that the unit is no more than 0.2 cubic metres and, in a conservation area, not on a wall facing and visible from a road. The old restriction on installing within two metres of a highway was removed on 29 May 2025. Listed buildings and some flats are the main exceptions and may need consent.
Good news for most people: fitting a home charge point is normally permitted development, so no planning application is needed. There are a few conditions worth checking before you book the install.
The usual conditions
Permitted development for a wall-mounted charge point generally applies provided:
- The unit is no larger than 0.2 cubic metres.
- It is on a wall or within the curtilage of the property (not on a flat roof).
- In a conservation area, it is not on a wall facing and visible from a road.
What changed in 2025
Until recently, permitted development also required the charge point to be more than two metres from a highway, which ruled out a lot of terraced and front-parking installs. That condition was removed on 29 May 2025, so proximity to the road is no longer a barrier. A good many guides online — and some council pages — still repeat the old rule, so it is worth knowing.
Running a charging cable across a public footway is a separate matter and is not covered by permitted development. Councils across Greater Manchester take very different positions on cross-pavement channels and gullies, so that one is worth checking locally before you commit.
When you might need consent
Listed buildings usually need listed-building consent for external alterations. Some flats and properties with restrictive covenants or shared parking may need permission from a freeholder or management company. If in doubt, a quick check with the local authority before installing saves any hassle.
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