Most houses in England can have solar panels fitted to the roof without planning permission, because they count as permitted development so long as the panels project no more than 200 mm from the roof slope and do not rise above the ridge. The exceptions are listed buildings, some conservation areas, some flats and some flat roof installations. Separately from planning, every system has to be notified to the electricity network operator, which the installer handles.
Key takeaways
- Roof mounted solar on a house in England is permitted development if it projects no more than 200 mm from the roof and does not sit higher than the roof ridge.
- Listed buildings need listed building consent for panels, and usually planning permission too.
- In a conservation area, panels on a roof or wall facing the street may need permission, and some councils have removed the rights altogether.
- Flats are covered by the same permitted development class, but leaseholders need the freeholder's agreement because the roof is usually not theirs.
- Tilted panels on a flat roof stand higher than 200 mm, so the limits are different and it is worth checking with the council.
- DNO notification (G98 or G99) is electrical paperwork, not planning, and is done by the MCS certified installer for every system.
Do solar panels need planning permission on a house?
Usually not. In England, solar panels on the roof or wall of a house are permitted development, which means the right to fit them is granted by national rules and you do not apply to the council. The main conditions are set out below. Wales and Scotland have their own versions of the rules, broadly similar but not identical.
- The panels must not project more than 200 mm beyond the plane of the roof slope or the wall they are fixed to. Standard on-roof mounting rails sit well inside this.
- The panels must not be higher than the highest part of the roof, not counting the chimney.
- The equipment should, as far as practicable, be sited to minimise its effect on the look of the building and the area, and be removed when no longer needed.
- Rights are different if the house is listed, in a conservation area, in a World Heritage Site or covered by an Article 4 direction.
A standard array on rails above the tiles meets all of this, and so does an in-roof system where the panels replace the tiles. If you want written proof for a future sale, you can apply to the council for a Lawful Development Certificate, which confirms the work did not need permission.
Can I put solar panels on a flat?
The permitted development rules cover blocks of flats as well as houses, so planning is not usually the barrier. Ownership is. A leaseholder typically owns the inside of the flat and not the roof, so you need the freeholder's or management company's written consent before anything goes on it. In a converted house that is often a conversation with your neighbours; in a larger block it is a formal licence to alter.
The other practical question is the cable route from the roof to your own consumer unit. A top floor flat with a loft hatch is the easy case; a ground floor flat under three others is usually not worth it. On the top floor of a converted house a 1.5 to 3.5 kW array is realistic; see how many solar panels do I need.
Listed buildings and conservation areas
Listed buildings
A listed building needs listed building consent for solar panels, and permitted development rights do not apply within the curtilage of a listed building either. Consent is not impossible: rear roof slopes not visible from the street, outbuildings and ground mounted arrays are approved regularly. Expect to submit drawings and a heritage statement, and allow eight weeks or more for the decision.
Conservation areas
Roof mounted panels in a conservation area are still permitted development in principle, but panels on a wall or roof slope facing a highway may need permission, and many London councils have used Article 4 directions to remove the rights for street-facing roofs in particular areas. Rear roof slopes are usually fine. Ask the planning department by email before you commit; the answer takes minutes and saves a retrospective application.
Solar panels on a flat roof
Panels on a flat roof sit on tilted frames, usually at 10 to 15 degrees, held down by ballast or fixed to the deck. Tilted frames stand higher than 200 mm above the roof, so the pitched roof rule does not simply carry across. The rules in England were amended in 2023 to make more flat roof arrays permitted development, subject to limits on frame height and distance from the roof edge. Because councils apply those limits differently, we treat every flat roof as a check with the council before quoting, either an informal enquiry or a Lawful Development Certificate.
Two practical checks follow. The roof structure must carry the weight of ballasted frames, and the covering should have enough life left that it will not need replacing under the panels. If a flat roof is being re-covered anyway, insulate it at the same time; see flat roof insulation cost.
Planning rules for solar panels at a glance
| Situation | Planning permission? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| House, pitched roof, not listed, not in a conservation area | No | 200 mm projection, not above the ridge |
| House in a conservation area, rear roof | Usually no | Any Article 4 direction on the area |
| House in a conservation area, street-facing roof | Possibly | Ask the council; many London areas restrict this |
| Listed building | Yes, listed building consent | Rear slopes and outbuildings are the likeliest to be approved |
| Flat in a block or converted house | Usually no | Freeholder consent and cable route |
| Flat roof with tilted frames | Depends | Frame height and edge set-back; confirm with the council |
| Ground mounted array in the garden | Depends | Size and position limits apply; ask before buying |
DNO notification is not planning permission
Every grid connected solar system has to be registered with the Distribution Network Operator, the company that owns the local cables (UK Power Networks across most of London, Kent and Surrey). This has nothing to do with the council. Systems up to 3.68 kW per phase are notified after installation under G98. Larger systems, which means most 4 kW and above arrays, need prior approval under G99 before connection, and that can take several weeks. The MCS certified installer submits both.
Building Regulations also apply, separately again: the roof must carry the panels and the electrical work must comply with Part P. The MCS certified installer certifies both, and the MCS certificate is also what you need to claim Smart Export Guarantee payments.
- Planning: usually none needed; check listed status, conservation area and Article 4 directions.
- DNO: G98 notification or G99 prior approval, submitted by the installer.
- Building Regulations and MCS certificate: issued by the installer on completion.
How Stay Warm handles planning for solar
Solar is arranged and project-managed by Stay Warm and installed by accredited, MCS certified installers. At the free survey we check whether the property is listed or in a conservation area, look up any Article 4 direction, and tell you in writing whether the array we propose needs an application. Where it does, we set the panels out to give the best chance of approval. DNO and Building Regulations paperwork is included in every quote.
Prices are in solar panels cost in London and the service detail is on the solar panels page. If the house is not yet insulated, book a free heat loss survey and we will plan the insulation and the solar together.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for solar panels on my house?
Usually not in England. Roof panels on a house are permitted development if they project no more than 200 mm from the roof slope and do not rise above the ridge. Listed buildings, some conservation areas and areas with an Article 4 direction are the exceptions.
What is the 200 mm rule for solar panels?
Panels fitted under permitted development must not stick out more than 200 mm beyond the plane of the roof or wall they are fixed to. Standard rail mounted panels on a pitched roof sit within this. Tilted frames on a flat roof do not, so different limits apply.
Can I fit solar panels in a conservation area?
Often yes, on a rear roof slope. Panels facing the street may need permission, and some councils have removed permitted development rights for solar in particular conservation areas. Ask the council before you buy.
Can I put solar panels on a listed building?
Only with listed building consent. Applications for rear roof slopes, outbuildings and ground mounted arrays are approved regularly. Allow eight weeks or more and expect to provide drawings and a heritage statement.
What is DNO approval and do I need it?
Every grid connected system is registered with the network operator. Systems up to 3.68 kW per phase are notified after installation (G98); larger ones need approval before connection (G99). It is separate from planning and the MCS certified installer submits it.