Do I Need Planning Permission for a Hot Tub?

If you are considering buying a hot tub and installing it in your garden you may well have considered the issue of whether planning permission is needed for it or not. You can run into all sorts of difficulties if you build without the proper permissions from your local authority so I thought it would be a good idea to investigate and find out what the possible issues were in terms of hot tubs and gaining planning permission.

So, do I need planning permission for a hot tub? Generally speaking, you do not need planning permission for a hot tub. You may well find that you will need planning permission if you are going to build a structure around the hot tub or a new room to house it but the hot tub itself most likely won’t need planning permission. Exceptions to this rule may occur if you are wanting to install a hot tub near a listed building or on a heritage site or within a front garden or within public view. 

The quick answer is that generally speaking common sense prevails and you probably won’t need planning permission for your hot tub. However, if you are in any doubt whatsoever, you should check with your local planning office before going ahead with the installation.

When might I need planning permission for a hot tub?

However, there are exceptions. Obviously, I can’t cover every possibility and there will be different rules for different countries and even different areas within the same country will have differing regulations. Here are some common scenarios where you might well need to have planning permission or at least consult with the local authority to check the position.

If you are in a conservation area – The chances are that, if you live in a conservation area, you will already know and be aware that you need to obtain planning for a wider variety of applications that most people. The whole idea behind having designated conservation areas is that the area is to be conserved and kept as intact as possible for the future. This often means that visible areas can’t be changed but, assuming your hot tub is out of sight, you may well not have a problem getting planning permission to install it. However, if you know you are in a conservation area then you must ask for advice from your local planning office.

If you live in a listed building – Listed buildings are subject to more stringent planning rules in order to preserve them and to make sure that any alterations made are done within the spirit of the original building and will not adversely effect the integrity of the neighborhood. Again, if you live in a listed building, the chances are that you will already know this and will be aware that you will need to contact the local authorities about planning permission.

Heritage sites – The same can be said about heritage sites. If you live on a heritage site you will already know this and will be aware that you need to get permission to make any alterations.

Hot tubs close to roads – You might run into planning difficulties if you decide you want to put a hot tub in your garden and it is closer to the public highway than the main house. For example, if you want your hot tub in your front garden this might well be an issue. It all boils down to considering what the impact of your building or alterations will have on other people and on the local surroundings so, as a matter of common sense, it seems reasonable that planning permission might need to be sought in this type of situation. However, if the hot tub was to be behind a wall or a high hedge and still closer to the road than the main building then planning permission may reasonably be given. Don’t think that just because you need to apply for planning permission for your hot tub that it will be denied. Your application may well be successful in all sorts of circumstances – it will just take a bit of time and effort to organize.

The bottom line is that if the installation of your hot tub is going to directly effect other people or will significantly change the area of the installation or clash with a historical or designated site then you are going to run into problems. Of course, the planning application and process is an extra hassle and will take time but it is far better to go through the process now, before buying and installing a hot tub than it is to have gone to all the expense of installing a hot tub only to find out that you have done it illegally. 

If you do fail to obtain planning permission where it is needed the best-case scenario is that you are able to apply for it retrospectively and that it is granted. However, this could well be a stressful experience as in the worst-case scenario you could be subject to a fine or even the prospect of removing your hot tub and paying for any damage as well.

Planning permission and garden buildings

It is much more likely that you will need planning permission if you are intending erecting a building for your hot tub to be installed into. Again there will be a variety of criteria depending upon your country and area but there is an example of some common restrictions below. These will give you an idea of the criteria that might be involved in your area but check with your planning authority to make sure.

You may not need planning permission if:

• The new building is only one story high
• The building is not over 3 meters high
• The building is not within 2 metres of the boundary of your property
• The building isn’t nearer to a public highway than the main house
• The building doesn’t take up more than 50% of the area surrounding your house. You need to include any other buildings in this as well.

So, looking at the above the chances are that if you are intending erecting a single-story gazeebo or wooden building over your hot tub then it most likely won’t need planning permission either.

This is all good news!

However, I would strongly suggest that, even if you don’t need planning permission that you consider your plans very carefully from your neighbor’s point of view. If your hot tub becomes a nuisance for your neighbors either due to noise, blocking their view or light if you erect a building or spoiling their enjoyment of the property in any way you increase the chances of complaints and problems. You may well be legally within your rights to have a hot tub in your garden but disagreements between neighbors can become very stressful and are best avoided in the first place if at all possible.

Planning permission and decking

A little note about decking. Did you know that in the UK at least, if your decking is over 30cm high and covers more than 50% of your garden then it will need planning permission?

Related questions:

Where should I put my hot tub in my garden? – The best place for your hot tub in the garden is somewhere sheltered and not overlooked by neighbors. It will also preferably be near to the house to make getting in and out easier. You will also need access to an outdoor electricity supply, or have one fitted, and you will need access to water for filling the hot tub as well. I have a detailed post on where to locate your hot tub here.

Will my neighbors complain about my hot tub? The main complaint than neighbors seems to make about hot tubs is the noise. The constant pump noise and sound of the jets can carry quite a ling way and become really irritating for neighbors. Try to position your hot tub well away from your neighbors and consider erecting a wall, fence or plant barrier to soak up some of the noise.

Can I put a hot tub in my house? You can put a hot tub inside if you want to. The main issue with this is one of ventilation and the room will need to be specially ventilated and treated to cope. You will also need to make provision for draining the hot tub. The floor of the room will also need to be solid enough to hold the considerable weight of a full hot tub. You cannot put a hot tub on a suspended floor – it must be solid concrete. You can find out more here.