Do You Need Planning Permission for Velux Windows in Roof?

In most cases, you don’t need planning permission to install Velux windows in your roof in the UK. Velux windows, also known as roof windows or rooflights, are usually covered by permitted development rights — a set of national rules that allow certain home improvements without the need for formal planning approval.

These rights apply as long as the Velux windows are fitted in a way that doesn’t significantly alter the appearance of your home or create privacy issues for neighbours. For most standard homes, adding Velux windows at the rear or side of the roof is allowed without planning permission. However, as with all permitted development, there are specific limits and exceptions to be aware of — especially if your property is listed, in a conservation area, or your roof windows face a public highway.

What Does the Planning Portal Say About Velux Windows?

According to the UK Government’s Planning Portal, you can install roof windows under permitted development if they don’t project more than 15 centimetres from the existing roof slope. The windows also must not be higher than the highest part of the roof. If these conditions are met, no planning permission is needed.

The Planning Portal also notes that side-facing Velux windows must be fitted with obscure glazing, and any opening parts must be at least 1.7 metres above floor level to maintain privacy for neighbouring homes. These rules are there to prevent overlooking and loss of privacy, especially in densely built-up areas.

Do You Need Building Control Approval?

Yes — even if planning permission isn’t needed, you still need to comply with Building Regulations when installing Velux windows. These regulations ensure that any structural changes to your home are done safely and to a high standard.

When you install roof windows, you’re altering part of the building’s structure. Building Control will want to check that the roof remains structurally sound, the windows are properly supported, and that the insulation, ventilation, and waterproofing meet the current regulations. If you're changing the use of the loft — for example, turning it into a bedroom or office — additional rules apply for fire safety, head height, and access.

Whether you use a builder or a window installer, the work must either be signed off by your local Building Control officer or carried out by someone registered with a competent person scheme, such as FENSA or CERTASS.

Can You Put Velux Windows in Without Planning Permission?

In most situations, yes — as long as the installation falls within the permitted development guidelines. This means the windows must not project too far from the roof, must not be at the front of the house facing the highway without approval, and must not be part of a home in a sensitive area like a conservation zone, National Park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

If your Velux windows are part of a larger loft conversion or are being installed alongside dormers or other structural alterations, you may need planning permission for the overall project — even if the Velux windows alone would be allowed. It’s the whole scope of the development that matters in the eyes of planning officers.

Why Is Planning Permission Needed?

Planning permission is only required for Velux windows in certain cases — usually when the windows will change the external appearance of the building in a significant way or if they might affect neighbours’ privacy. For example, installing large roof windows at the front of your home, especially if they face a street or are visible from a public path, can trigger the need for permission.

It’s also needed if your home is in a conservation area, is listed, or if your local council has issued an Article 4 Direction removing permitted development rights. In these situations, even small changes like Velux windows can be refused if they’re seen as out of keeping with the building or area.

Building Regulations for Velux Windows

All roof window installations must meet UK Building Regulations. The key requirements involve maintaining the structural integrity of the roof, ensuring the window is properly supported, and making sure the installation is weathertight and energy efficient.

In habitable rooms like bedrooms or living spaces, the Velux window must also provide adequate ventilation and be made of safety glazing if it’s at a low level. If the window is part of a loft conversion, the installation must meet fire escape requirements — which means it needs to be large enough and positioned so that someone can safely climb out in an emergency.

A certified installer can usually handle this without needing to involve the local council directly, but it’s your responsibility as the homeowner to make sure the work is fully compliant.

Planning Permission and Installation Costs

If you stay within permitted development rights, there’s no cost for planning permission, since you don’t need to apply. But if you do require planning — for example, in a conservation area or for front-facing roof windows — submitting an application usually costs around £206 in England for a householder application.

The installation cost of Velux windows varies based on the size, type of window, and accessibility of the roof. A basic, manually operated Velux window installed by a professional typically costs between £800 and £1,500, including labour. Larger or electric models with blinds or integrated ventilation can cost £1,500 to £2,500 or more.

If the Velux window is part of a loft conversion or major refurbishment, the total cost will be part of the wider build — so it’s harder to separate out. But for simple retrofits into an existing roof slope, the price is relatively straightforward and affordable compared to structural dormer conversions.

FAQs

Can I put Velux windows in at the front of my house?
Not without planning permission. Windows at the front, facing a highway, usually require formal approval from your local authority.

Do I need planning permission in a conservation area?
Often, yes. Even small changes like roof windows can require planning permission in conservation zones. Always check with your local council before installing anything.

What if my Velux windows overlook a neighbour?
Side-facing Velux windows must use obscured glass, and openings must be high enough to prevent direct views. If the council believes your windows affect privacy, they may restrict or refuse the installation.

Is it worth getting a Lawful Development Certificate?
Yes — even if planning permission isn’t needed, a certificate provides written confirmation that your work is legal. This is especially helpful if you plan to sell your home later.

Even Minor Roof Alterations Can Raise Red Flags

Many homeowners assume that because Velux windows don’t alter the shape of the roof like dormers do, they’re too small to be noticed or regulated. But local councils do pay attention — especially in conservation areas, listed buildings, or areas with strict design controls. A simple rooflight on the front of a house facing a highway can be refused or flagged for enforcement if it wasn’t approved.

It’s not about size — it’s about visual impact and context. The planning authority will look at whether the new windows preserve the character of the building and neighbourhood.

Installing Without Permission Can Affect Property Sales

If you install Velux windows that technically needed planning permission — even unintentionally — and then try to sell your home, the issue could show up during conveyancing. Surveyors or buyers’ solicitors will often flag any unapproved structural changes, especially roof work, and ask for evidence that the windows were installed legally.

If you can’t prove that planning permission wasn’t needed (or wasn’t obtained), you might have to apply for retrospective permission or a Lawful Development Certificate, which can delay or even derail the sale.

Article 4 Directions Can Override Your Rights

In many areas, especially historic towns or urban neighbourhoods with strong visual identity, councils use Article 4 Directions to restrict permitted development rights. If this applies to your street or postcode, you may need permission for changes that would normally be allowed — including Velux-style roof windows.

The only way to be sure is to contact your local planning authority or check online via their planning map or guidance. Don’t assume that permitted development applies just because it’s a standard home improvement.

Listed Buildings Are a Different Ballgame

If your home is listed, any external alteration, including roof windows, requires listed building consent — even if the windows are at the back, discreet, or replacing something existing. You’ll need to show that the new windows won’t harm the historical or architectural significance of the property.

For listed buildings, even conservation-style Velux windows with a low profile and traditional finish need approval. In many cases, councils may push for conservation rooflights — which are flush with the roof, have smaller frames, and replicate original detailing more closely.

Building Regs Cover More Than Just Structure

Most people know that Building Regulations apply to structural safety when installing Velux windows, but they also cover thermal performance, ventilation, escape routes, and condensation control. If the Velux window is part of a room that’s used regularly — especially a bedroom or office — it needs to meet specific energy efficiency and fire safety standards.

You’ll also need to ensure proper insulation around the frame, internal plastering, and weathertight installation to avoid damp problems. Getting it done by a professional who’s registered under a competent person scheme saves you from having to involve Building Control directly — and ensures you get a completion certificate.

Multiple Velux Windows Might Trigger Additional Rules

One Velux window may not need permission. But if you're adding multiple windows, especially across the front and rear of the roof, the council might decide the cumulative effect changes the character of the home and requires permission — particularly in conservation areas or on traditional terraced streets. The more visible or numerous the changes, the more likely scrutiny becomes.

Velux Windows and Lofts: A Common Grey Area

Homeowners often add Velux windows as part of a loft conversion, thinking that the windows are fine under permitted development — but forget that once a use change happens (turning a loft into a bedroom or office), it’s no longer just about the windows. The entire loft conversion may require planning, especially if you’re also adding insulation, heating, or altering head height.

It’s essential to look at the whole project, not just the windows. Even if the Velux units are compliant, the surrounding changes might not be.

Final Thought

Velux windows seem like a minor, low-impact upgrade — and most of the time, they are. But depending on location, size, use, and context, they can trigger planning permission, building regulations, or both. If you’re ever unsure, it’s worth getting written advice from your local planning office, or applying for a Lawful Development Certificate to keep things clean and above board.

And if you're installing electrics, automatic openers, or solar-powered Velux systems, make sure it’s all wired by a qualified professional — ideally someone who knows how to certify the work for Part P of the Building Regs.